The Washington times., 1913-06-03


skew. and excluding Wat Mus
grove, who was not yet quite
out Of his cups, who sickened at their
own peril.
"von Kerstenbroock IL come to reckon
with me-" was the thought with which
each compiimented himself.
But Won Kerstenbroock was aware
only Of Thomsine Musgrove. and his one
object was to snatch her into his arms.
While the last echo of the little.
quavering nasolet was dying into 81
lence, he advanced into the hall.
"GentIemen." he said. with painstak-
ink effort to avoid accent. Il offer you
fair quarter for your lives. Lay on your
swords and yield you quietly:'
Upon his words broke the rattle OF
pistol-fire, that told Of fighting In Stav-
ersham village. and shrieks and shots
and cries of conflict within the very
walls.
At these sounds some hothead In the
hall shouted. For a king!" and at that
a dozen swords flashed into the CANDLE
light.
Hysterical screams tore from q half
score lovely jeweled throats. With
thought Of the deadly peril to those
women, should they attempt this mad
resistance, Aubrey cried to those who
were his followers to surrender. and
himself unstrapped his sword. but Err
sey, believing that he was a doomed
man. in any. case; sprans up with naked
blade and launcheo himseIf upon Won
Kerstenbroock.
.'So," Won Kerstenbroock greeted him,
in a soft voice, that yet was distinctly
audible.
My wrists are whole this night. I
thank thee-bastard!''
Then blades crossed. Erisey saw tho
laughter in the eyes that had aforetime,
| in the midst Of torture. derided him.
He felt his sword 30 wide, and knew
himself a top In the nands Of that rmali,
brown man. He remembered that. had
| he not had the inspiration to play the
game of cat and mouse. the man were
rotting now beneath the gallows Of
Kings Staversham.
The same thought flashed through the
mind of Lord Staversham in his chair.
He looked down the lighted hall upon
Erisey. fighting for his life. and thought
| upon his treason that should 90 for
naught. and his castle that this hour
should be the spoil of the enemy.
The dark and vicious place wherein he
got thee
COST MIN MIS- eyes.
Whence came that tag of a forgotten
| stage play? Nan Erisey's boy IL was
through willful folly OF whom this hard.
brown soldier was alive TO be their over
| throw. Yes. Staversham was paying
| dearly for those stolen sweets.
But II was for no more than a FASH
ing second. though lifetime long to two
| men. with black regrets upon them,
that the entire hall was at pause. rpon
| the issue OF the duel
Then Bah Ayskew, who, of all men In
the hall. BY ill-luck carried a pistol had
whipped II from his belt-the same man,
he. who months before by the fiip cf an
! unconsidered coin. had laid the train
| to this unbelieved explosion.
In his none too coherent wits he ga "
nirsell a nero. Also he reasoned that,
! II he let Won kerstenbroock live, he was
himself foredoomed with aim half
takne. he fired pointblank at him.
The pullet sent the felt hat spinning
from Won kerstenbroocks head and i'm
bedded itself without further mischief
the mellow ancient paneling Of the wall.
Ere u mad reached its lodging place a
SCORE OF saiiant FOOLS. with their mere
, SWORDS, had hurled themselves upon
Il cir foes and fallen. ere they could
strike a blow.
For not In Won Kerstenbroock him
sen, put case he had the will, for Thom-
sines sake. had now the power to re-
strain his men.
Fire" blared joyously a yellow
scaI.ed corporal at his back, and the
furitan trooper made instant response
ir; terms Of lead and slanrht.r
Ihe pity Of 1t that little Meiiicent Dor
,r,., sI ' s staring at the blood that
tuSkieo down her white youne arm!
Sss ses Sne most part the women had