New Britain herald., 1924-03-07

death. Then. as a succession Of re- sounding blows fell upon the door Holes drore at him again with re- doubled fury.
 Holes realized that there was no lime to lose: Buckingham that his safety lay in playing for time, and allowing the others furious attacks to. ..spend themselves against his de- fense. Twice again, despiFf his wound he used his left handf From which the blood was dripping freely, to dash aside the others blade. Once he did it with impunity. But when he repeated the action, Holes took advantage Of 1t to fling himself sud- denly forward inside the Dukes guard. until they were breast 10 breast, and with his own left he seized the Duke sword.wrist In grip that paralyzed it. Before, however, he could carry out his intention of shortening his sword, his own wrist was captive in the Dukes blood smearcd left hand. He sought to force himself free of that grip. But the Duke maintained it with the ten- aclfy born of the desperate knowl- edge that his life depended on it, that if he loosed his hold there would be an instant end of him.
 Thus now in this fierce corps-a- corps they writhed and swayed hither and thither, snarling and panting and tugging. whilst the sound of the blows upon the door announced the splintering Of a pannel, and Nancy, half-swooning in her chair, followed the nightmare struggle of the two men in a1de-eyed but only half-seeing terror.
 And then under final blow the door all splintered about. the lock flew open and the grooms flowed into the room to their masters rescue.
 Holles tore his wrist free at the same moment by a asst wrench. But it was too late. Casting the Dukes sword hand from him, he srrang away and round with a tearing sob to face the lackeys. For a second his gllttering point held them at bay. Then the blow of club shiyered the blade, and they rushed in upon him. He felied one Of tthem with a blow Of the hilt which he still retained, before a club took him across the skull. Under that blow he reeied back against the table, his limbs sagged. and he sank down in a heap, unconscious.
 As he lay there one of the grooms. standing over him, swung his club again with the clear intention of beating out his brains. But the Duke arrested the descending blow.
 Tt is not necessary" he said. He was white and breathing hard from his excrtions and there was a fevcred glitter in his eyes. But these signs apart he was master Of himself.
 "Your arm, monseigneur!" cried Francois. pointing to the blood that filled his seeve.
 "Bah. 4 scratch! Presently" Then he pointed to the prone figure of Holles. from whose head the blood was slowly trickiing. Get a rope. Francois. and truss him up." Fran cois departed on his errand. You others. carry Antoine out. Then re- turn for Bobadil. I may have a use for him yet"
 They trooped out obediently and Buckingham, still very pale, but breathing now more composedly, turned to Nancy with queer little smile on lips that looked less red than usual
 CHAPTER Nx.
 The GOfqueIDr
 She had reached that point Of en- durancn at which sensibility becomes mercifuIly dulled. She sat there. her head resting against the tall back or the chair, her eyes closed. a sense of physical nauset prevailing her.
 grontinued in Our Next Issut1. Warm Colnrs
 Fashion designers are adv0eating fife use of warm, tender spring cOlors, ..E. .a .sffTn7s 1rea4 and tha rnar