The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-05-20

| Leave me-iurn them back Do
not let them enter tho pass. Co."
What do you meant" Rupert
snapped. wheeling.
lie was too late. Joseph seired
his wrist. two OF the men caught
him By either arm. holding him q
prisoner. Michael laughed even
while he turned on Lesendra.
Sweet cousin, They arc In
range. Lift your voice Ike that
again. and Josef will fire. BE
silent. | tell you: they arc In the
trap. DO you think | would have
let you be here. otherwise"
For tho first time Rupert saw the
approaching riders. now entering
the straight stretch % road that
ran between mountain and gorge
toward the house.
"A machine gun trained down the
pass" Lcsendra cried. Stefan can
not suspect that. Michael viii
sweep clean In one discharge.
There Is no escape for any OF
them"
Tho riders we're within few
hundred feet Michael stepped Tor
ward. facing the leader
Halt" he gave warning. NO
closer. Stefan. II you would speak
with me.
t,esendra turned to Rupert
what fluttered white on the
slope" he questioned. just audibiy
10 the American. Beside that
BOULDER"
The countess is there came
with me"
Leaendra leaned a little more
heavily on the arm OF the man who
at once guarded and supported
him: his head dropped as " In
faininess or exhaustion. But from
beneath his lowered lashcs his
eyes lost nothing OF the taoleen
set like stage scene In the
strong sunlight.
III send Dsnilo and Mr.. Ru
pert out 10 their automobile,
Michael was calling TO Stefan.
will you follow them back 10 your
castle and give your word that
shall be allowed to leave Monte
negro unmolested?"
Yes" answered the count.
"Of course the passport from
Montenegro includes my devoted
followers and good Josef9'
1T does not" was the decisive
reply. This nest OF treason shall
not be rebuilt across the border"
lis that your final word.
Stefan"
1T is"
Michael turned.
Josef no summoned.
Lesendra sprang from his unpyc-
pared guard in one supreme effort
that concentrated all his remaining
strength Against Josef he dashed
himself. forcing the Austrian from
his place by the shock. while point
ing toward the hill.
"The Countess" he sent his last
call to Stefan Balsic. his voice
ringing thru the defile. she falls
go To her. Stefan"
The startling unexpectedness and
urgency OF the cry succeeded. Count
Balsic lifted his head. saw Delight
rise, swaying TO her feet beside the
boulder and wheeled his horse up
the slope toward her
The time gained was a mere in
slant. the abrupt leap aside the
one move that promised lie, as
Lesendra had foreseen. Rupert
struggling with his captors. saw
Josef reach the cannon. thrusting
Lesendra aside. He saw Danilo,
forced TO his knee by the blow.
throw back his head, his blue eyes
laughing challenge as Michael
swung toward him and shot his
cousin thru the heart. With the
lesser report. the Austrian fired.
In the narrow place the effect
was frightful. Halfway up the
slope Stefan Balsic's horse fell.
carrying his rider down with him
Amid the roar and scream of rush
ing iron. Delights world went out
ms she slipped To the rocks
Where Delight had fallen she
awokc. Above her the rock iutted
out. There Stefan Balsic knolt on
one knee. blood dripping from his
shoulder, his left arm hanging use