The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-08
OF THE s T A R By Percy
 Brebmer

with her, but have failed. In her ex- citement she may betray you before you are prepared"
 Prepared for what?'
 ''She will not be alone when you ar rive" he answered At court it is be neved that Count vasca is to marry the Lady Aldrfda They pose as low CTS, and, so far as the lady is con- cerned, she believes that the future is settled. Count Vasca has no intention of marrying her. Not only does he mean to-be king in Yadasara, but he means to marry the pEincess if he can. He has the kings permission to inter view the princess If. he succeeds in obtaining her consent she is to go free with him this very night He may use what persuasion he will"
 sHThen the king wishes to save herF'
 "On the contrary. it is only because he feels sure that the count will fail that he has given his consent. The count is too powerful to be refused 8 favor If he fails. then the princess suffers tomorrow in the manner you Know of The king has promised Lady Aldrida that vasca has an elaborate scheme which is arranged in every detaL He will use persuasion. He will play upon her fears. For that purpose he will unlock the slab to show her the death road she is to take tomorrow. He will probably attempt to take her even without her consent, or he might kill her if she refuses him too contemptuously. Whether he suc- ceeds or not, he has no intention of going to the king. He will leave the fortress with her and go straight to the city gate He will go the way you must have gone the night you escaped A boat is lying hard by the great rock. He will cross the river and before dawn will be in the woods which lie to the south. There is 8 woodcutter's cottage there, and horses will be wait ing for hiIn.'
 'He means to leave Drussen1andT T' I asked.
 O'Ryan smiled.
 'sNo. Tomorrow the revolution will commence. Half the city is Vasca's already"
 "The princess will not consent" I said after a pause
 ''Yet Vasca must succeed tonight '' said O'Ryan slowly, fthe Vasca I am thinking of. The count will be alone with the princess and will have the keys of the dungeon. You will enter, and you will kill him. Take his cloak and hat and sword. Then drag his body to the sIipsand let 1t go- Use ex- petition Open the door and walk out Of the fortress. Do not speak if you can help it. Your voice might betray you. As you go through the city you will be watched. but have no fear. They will be watching to see that you come to no harm. They are your friends The city gate will open for o% CSe oro f0 make the best of your way to the woodcutter's cottage I shall be wait ing there with horses"
 "And afterward?'
 ''Un1ess you are delayed, by dawn we should be we'll on our way toward the place where you entered this internal country. We must trust to luck to find the way out. Now do you thoroughly understand ?''
 ssYes When do go2''
 'fYou will presently hear the guard changed in the corridor without Then tie your rope securely and descend Here is a sword See that you do not drop it as you go down. Do not go be- fore your time or you will ruin every thing. Don't be too courteous with Vasca. Once he hired an assassin to stab you in the dark; just remember IDdB d4u S1aJ A1AA dS JOu WOu40 mad dog. Now I must go.''
 We grasped each others hand, and he left me.
 Suddenly heard the guard changed. The time had come, and my heart beat faster waited until the sound of the mems measured tread had died away down the corridor, and then I went to the slab. A dozen fears took hold of me at that moment. Indeed, my hand trembled as I put the key into it's hole.
 It turned easily, and the next mo ment had raised the slab.
 The dungeon was pitch dark. I had Co be careful not to slip into the hole. could hear the swish of the river far below me-a noisy sound it was, com ing up through the shaft.
 found the ring. and to it tied the rope. tested the security of the knots at least haff q dozen times before I let the rope go. It swung out to it's length with a jerk. I fastened the sword tightly round me. and then stood for a moment. It was short prayer I muttered-too short, perhaps, for the great matter I was entering upon, but it was an earnest one. Then I sat upon the edge of the slip and, grasping the rope with both hands, let myself go, dropping to my full length.
 It was the way that only dead men took. yet I, a living one, was about to take it.
 It had seemed pitch dark in the dun- geon, yet hung in a greater blackness and could discern the opening above my head. wasted no time now I had begun my Journey. It was simply a matter of sliding down the slip and steadying myself by the rope. This was easy enough.
 Cro Be Contznusd1
 The Federated Churches of Connect