The Lamar register., 1913-01-08
CHAPTER XXI.
Near the Altar.

the Black Seigneur could unsheath<
his sword. that of the Marquis had
pierced slightly his shoulder. Put ur
your blade. my Lord" AS quickly
springing back and drawing his own
he held himself in an attitude Of de
Tense. I'm this matter are we, OF
should we be-of mind!"
Wei" My lords weapon played
in fierce curves and flashes; he
laughed derisively.
Il am here to serve her ladyship-
II I can!"
'You!" A rapid coup de tierce wat
the Marquis reply. You! Whose out
laws carried her off before! You are
pleased to jest, Monsieur Bandit"
mo Jest, my Lord!" coolly. More
over, 1t is you who serve her ladyshir
Ill at such a moment in"
Mon dieu! You instruct"
II have no wish for this combat
Monsieur lie Marquis!" As he spoke
the Black Seigneur retreated slowly
toward the door. But If you presi
too close"
ma fol! You talk very brave, but
/ notice your legs take you backward
However. 1t will not serve; you shall
not escape"
moi" His back now against ths
door. the Black Seigneur defended
himself with his right hand, the while
his left felt behind for bolt which II
found; shot into place. Then let uf
remove temptation by locking the
door!"
What! You did. then. intend"
A sudden fierce pounding from with
out on the door, interrupted.
1T was necessary to keep them out
but It will be only for a moment
So put up your blade!" peremptorily
"fhere is no time to lose"
you are right" The Marquis
face expressed scorn and unreasonine
anger; his sword leaped to an accel
Grated tempo. "There Is no time to
lose. I shall honor you! The Mar
quis de Beauvillers will stop to cheat
the fourches patibulaires!" And my
lord lunged. a dangerous and clever
thrust that was met: answered. From
the Marquis hand. the blade flew;
struck the pavement; at the same
time. q rending and tearing Of wood
came from the door.
The Black Seigneur leaped forward;
but the stroke his adversary, now dis
armed. expected. fell not on him; di.
rected toward a lamp overhead, sole
source OF illumination OF the corri-
dor. the weapon struck hard. Shat
tered by the blow. the ornamental con-
trivance crashed to the floor; the
place was plunged in darkness.
Save yourself. my Lord!" said a
calm voice. and my lady. standing. az
It were. in The center OF a vortex OF
wildly rushing figures. felt her waist
suddenly clasped: herself swept on!
Once or twice she struggled; resisted.
hardly knowing what she did; but the
sound Of q low. determined voice. not
unfamiliar to her. and the conscious
ness Of physical force-or was 1t all
physical?-that seemed to beat down
her will. left no choice but to obey.
Darkness gave way to waves OF
light: reflections Of flame surrounded
them; black trails Of smoke coiled
around. The girls strength went: her
breath came faster. A thick cloud
clicked her: she wished only to stop.
when arms closed about her.
Upward! Still upward! By wind
ing stairs. through passages and door
ways, vaguely she felt herself borne.
until q cold breath Of air. blowing
suddenly in her face. revived her;
awoke her to confused realization Of
the place they had at last reached
the upper platform at the head Of the
long. open stairway Of granite. And
with that consciousness. she again
sought to free herself: but. for an in
slant the arms held tighter. while q
dark face bent close, scanning her
features. then abruptly he released
her.
Your Ladyship is uninjured?"
Eyes; yes!"
"One momentI" Turning. he left
her. and walking to the verge Of that
open space. searched quickly the waste
OF darkness below. far out to sea. The
girls glance followed him; wavered;
her first apprehension awoke anew.
Her father! Where was he? She
clasped her hands despairingly as she
gazed down the Mount; then around
her. Suddenly. a bright patch Of
iight-open doorway to the church
caught her eye and she started. At
the picture. framed by the masonry.
which the glow revealed. a low excla-