The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-11-04

| secret door. De Saule was among
them. and Goapele. and the gian,
Guietcau. no longer fearful oil
ghosts. and dragging their coward.
ly crew slong by threat and
promise.
Back hero. d'Envillel" cried
desperately. thrusting Mademoi'
seilo behind me. mot In the open'
you have no chance there; come
back here"
could SEQ the turn OF his head,
the swift glance he cast toward
where | stood shielding the girl.
"Ayl In a minute. but not I'll ]
leave my mark. All! see you now,
you black renegade"
II was such swift action could
scarce tell what happened. Had
deemed best I could scarce have
been OF aid, but my plain duty was
To remain where was. crouched
In the angle OF the wall. the girl
behind me. my sword blade ready.
D'Enville cut and thrust like 4
demon. welding his ancient weap-
on with both hands. The great
two handed sword crashed and fell.
rose again and was swept down
with remorseless power. Twice
tho dark shadows OF bodies on the
roof broke before him.
lie killed. but he paid. I saw
the flash OF a knife buried In his
side. a Eisrc OF flame lit the hor-
rid scene as pistol flared. a dying
man clung TO him In frenxied
agony. Once more tho huge sword
swept IN deadly circie-then he
tottered. and went crashing for
ward. his head against the stairs.
And now II was IL alone! !
was not meeting that onrush like
q mad fool. where they must front
me. 'Twould be n fair fight. and
they held me a swordsman. even In
the army OF France.
Here. take this" 7 said 10
Mademoiselle. thrustlng my pistol
into her hands. There Is but one
shot-keep IL TO the last"
Yes. Monsieur" the voice firm.
assured. Arc we left aione7 Is
Charles dead7"
He fell: and whether dead or
alive. ~ out OF IL. They are com
Ing now"
could SEQ the fellows. yet they
were no punched. the dim light con.
fused my vision. and twas hard 10
guess how many held their feet
made Il four beside the leaders.
That which followed was no swift
Of action. 30 jumbied and indistinct
as 10 seem more dream than re-
allty. IL was. as desperate fight
Ing always Ia. q mad, fierce. heed
less struggle. where instinct takes
the place OF thought
There was n blind rush forward.
CLEAN OF weapons In the star.
light. touched steel with my
blade. warticd and iunged under
the frHt fellows guard. There was
cry OF agony. a topping back o,
his body. the clatter OF n falling
sword. and I stood over him thrust.
Ing and hacking. careless OF my
own hurt. the Joy OF the fighting
turning my blood TO fire.
Suddenly out from the confused
muck. n blade struck mine-a blade
with . wrist behind H. I felt the
difference. and stiffened 10 the
fight. II was Guieteau.
Faith. he was no swordsman.
knew that before we had parted
twice. but the giant strength OF his
arm bore down my guard. forced
me 10 desperate defense.
We fought long and desperately
but a, last ! opened my guard, and
he struck BY a quick turn Of the
arm. my hilt caught the descending
blade. and I leaped straight at him.
taking the one chance. and driving
my point at his huge body.
II struck. but We went down to-
Eether. my Lex caught under him.
There was an instant OF struggle;
some one doomed above US with a
drawn sword-then a flash OF flame
split the darkness. and the fellow
fell with a crash. wriggled loose
from the dead weight, my sword
still gripped In my fingers. and
staggered 10 my feet.