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GRAUSTARK THE STORY OF A LOVE BEHIND THE THRONE CHAPTER XVI II— Continued. FLIGHT AT MIDNIGHT. . BOW rash you are to refuso liberty and life for such a trifle. But why, I ce!i, am I offering you this chance 10 tscape? Is it because 1 flo hope to s< e you sjjain? Is It But enough that 1 am bepglnjj, imploring you u> gal 1 can say no mere." He folded the brief note, written In BLSttation, and. utter kissing" it. proceed ed to i/vict ii in his pocket, determined to keep it 10 the last hour cf his life, Glscciu? op at a pound from the guard, he found V.iruself looking into the mi:zzl« of a revolver. A deep scowl overs:>ivad the face of the taan a.s he pointed to tha letter and then the luinp. There was no mistaking his meaning. Lorry reluctant ly held the note over tha i!urne and eav/ KkcnaaMa away as had Its predecessor. Ij&pre vies to be no proof of her com j>;/city left behind. He knew it would be tolly to offer a bribe to the loyal guard. After this very significant act the g-uard'a face cleared, and he deposited his big revolver on the table. Stepping to the cell's entrance, he listened intent ly, thtn softly closed the heavy iron doors. "Without a word he began to strip off his uniform. Lorry watching him as if fascinated. The fellow looked up im patiently and motioned for hi:n to be quick, taking It for granted that the pris oner understood his part of the transac tion. Awakened by this sharp reminder. Lorry nervously began to remove ins clothes. In five minutes his garments were scattered over the floor and he was attired In the uniform of a guard. Not a word had been spoken. The prisoner was the guard, the guard a- prisoner. "Are you not afraid this will cost you your life?" asked Lorry, first in ; English. then In German. The guard merely shook hla head. Indicating that he could not undertsand. He Quickly turned to the bed. seized a sheet and tore it Into strips, impatiently thrusting Ihcrn into the other's hands. The lirst letter had foretold all this, and the prisoner knew what was expected of him. He therefore securely bound the guard's legs and arms. With a grim smile the cap tive nodded his head toward the revolver. tjL> lantern and the keys. His obliging j^soner secured them, as well as his own personal effects, and was ready to depart. According to instructions he was to go forth, locking the doors behind him, leav ing the man to be discovered the next morning by surprised keepers. It struck him that there was something absurd in this part of the plan. How was this guard to explain his position with abso lutely no sign of a struggle to bear him out? It was hardly plausible that a tig, strong fellow could be so easily overpow ered single-handed; there was something ■wretchedly incongruous about the — but there came a startling and effective end to bH criticism. The guard, bound as he was, suddenly turned and lunged head-foremest against the sharp bedpost. His head struck with a thud, and he rolled to the floor as If dead. Uttering an exclamation of horror. Lorry ran to hi3 side. Blood was gush ing from a long gash across his head, and he was already unconscious. Sickened by the brave sacrifice, he picked the man up and placed him on the bed. A hasty examination proved that it was no more than a scalp wound, and that death was too remote to be feared. The guard had done his part nobly, and it was now the turn to act as resolutely and *£S unflinchingly. Sorry to leave the poor fellow in what eeemed an inhuman man ner, he strode into the corridor, closed end locked the doors clumsily, and be-^ gan the descent of the stairs. He had been instructed to act unhesitatingly, as the slightest shew of nervousness would result In discovery. With the helmet well down over his face and the cape well up, he steadily, even noisily made his way to the next floor below. There ■were prisoners on this floor, while he had been the only occu-. pant of the floor above. Straight ahead he went, flashing his lantern here and there, passing down another stairway and Into the main corridor. Here he met a guard who had just come In from the outside. The man addressed him in the language of the country, and his heart almost stopped beating. How was he to answer? Mumbling something almost in audible, he hurried on to the ground floor, trembling with fear lest the man should call to him to halt. He •was relieved to find. In the end, that his progreES was not to be im peded. In another moment he was boldly unlocking the door that led to the visi tors' halL Then came the door to the ■warden'* office. Here he found three eleepy guards, none of whom paid any attention to him as he passed through ahd entered Captain Dangloss' private foom. The gruff old captain sat at a ertu writing. The escaping man half paused as if to speak to him. A sharp cough from the captain and a significant Jerk cf the head told him that there must be no delay, no words. Opening the door, he stepped out into a storm, so fierce and wild that he shuddered apprehensively. "A fitting night," he muttered, as ho plunged Into the driving rain, forcing his ■way across the courtyard to the main sate. The little light in the gatekeeper's ■window was his guide, so, blinded by the torrents, blown by the winds, he soon found himself before the final barrier. Peering through the window, he saw the *L*ez>*T dozing In bin chair. By the light from within he selected from the bunch cf keys he carried one that had a white string knotted In its ring. This was the key that was to open the big gate in case he -was to Rive the countersign, "Dan glcss," and trust fortune to pass him through without question. Luck was with him and, finding the great lock, he softly Inserted and turned the key. The wind blew the heavy gate open violently, and it required all of his strength to keep it from banging against the wall beyond. The most difficult task that he had encountered grew from his efforts to close the gate against the blast. He was about to give up In despair when a hand was laid on his shoulder and some one bJjsscd In his startled ear: j^"Shl Not a ward." -^ jij s legs almost went f rozn under his riodv so great was the shock and the fear" Two strong har.ds joined -Jiis own in the effort to pu!l the door into posi tion, and he knew at once that they be lona/ed to the man who was to meet him on the corner at the right of the prison ■wall. He undoubtedly had tired of the delay and. feeling secure in the darkness of the etorm, had come to meet his charge, the escaping prisoner. Their united efforts brought about the desired result, and together they left the prison behind, striking out against the storm in all its fury. "You are late." called the stranger in his car. "Not too late, am I?" he cried back, clutching the other's arm. "Xo. but we must hasten.** "Captain Quinnox, Is it you?" "Have a care! The storm has ears and can hear names," cautioned the other. As rapidly as possible they made their way along the black street, almost a river with Its sheet of water. Lorry had lost his bearings, end knew not whither he went, trusting to the guidance of his struggling fcmpanion. There seem"ed> to be no end to | lC j r Journey, he was gTowing weak IJeneatb the exertion and the excitement. "How far do tve go?" he cried at last. "But a few rods. The carriage Is at the next corner." "Where is the carriage to take me?" he demanded. "I am not at liberty to say." "Am I to Bee her before I goV 'That is something I cannot answer, filr. My instructions are to place you in the carriage and ride beside the driver until our destination Is reached." "Is It the castle?" cried the other, Joy ously. "It is not the castle," was . the disap pointing answer. At that moment they came upon a great dark hulk and heard the stamping of horses* hoofs close at hand. It was so dark they could scarcely discern the shape 'of the carriage, although they could touch its side with their hands. A soldier stood in the shelter of the ve hicle and opened the door for the Ameri can. "Hurry! Get In!" exclaimed Quinnox. "I wish to know if this is liable to get her into trouble." demanded Lorry, pausing with one foot on the steps. "Get in!" commanded the soldier who was holding the door, pushing him for ward uneasily. He floundered Into the car riage where all v/as dry and clean. In his hand he still carried the keys and the lantern, the slide of which he had closed before. leaving the prison- yard. He could not see, but he knew that the trappings of the vehicle were superior. Outside ha heard the soldier, who was preparing to enter, say: ' . >.. ■ . • "This carriage travels on most urgent business fop her Majesty, captain. It la not to be stopped." A moment later he was Inside and the door slammed. The carriage rocked as Quinnox swung up beside the driver. "You may as- well be comfortable," said Lorry's companion,, as ;he..' sat rigid and. restless. . "We have a long and rough rido before us." ' ' : XIX-THE SOLDIER. Off went the carriage with a dash, th« rumble of Its wheels joining In the grew some roar of the elements. For some tima the two sat speechless, side by side. ■ Out side the thunder roiled, "the rain swirled and hissed, the wind howled and all tha horrors of nature seemed crowded Into the blackness ' of that thrilling < night. Lcrry wondered vaguely whither they were going, why he had seen no .flashes of lightning, If he should ever 6ee her again. His mind was busy, with a thou sand thoughts and queries.; "Where are we going?" he asked, after they had traveled half a mile or bo. "To a place pt safety," came the reply from the darkness beside him. , "Thanks," he said, drily. "By the way, don't you have any lightning in this part of the world? 1 haven't seen a flash to night." "It is very rare," came the brief reply, "Devilish uncommunicative," thought Lorry. After a moment he asked: • "How tar do we travel to-night?" . "A number of miles." "Then I'm going to take off this wet coat. It weighs a ton. Won't you remove yours?" He jerked off the big rain coat and threw it across to the opposite seat, with the keys and the lantern. There was a moment's hesitation on the part of his companion, and then a second wet coat followed" the first. Their rain hel mets were also tossed aside. "Makes a fellow feel more comfortable." "This has been too easy to seem like an escape," went on Lorry, looking back reflectively over the surprises of . the , night. "Maybe I am dreaming. Pinch me." A finger and a thumb came together on the fleshy part of bis arm, causing him to start, lirst In amazement, then In pain. He- bad -not expected his reserved guard ian to obey the command literally. "I am awake, thanks," he laughed, and the hand dropped from his arm. After this tnere was a longer silence than at any time before. Tne soldier drew himself into the corner of the seat, an action which repelled further discus sion, it seemed to Lorry, so he leaned back In the opposite corner and allowed his mind to wander far from the interior of that black, stuffy carriage. Where was he going? When was he to leave Graustark? Was he to tee her soon? Soon the carriage left the smooth streets of Edelweiss and he could tell, by th« jolting and careening, that they were in the country, racing over a rough, rocky road. It reminded him of an overland trip he had taken in West Virginia some mon'ths before, with the fairest girl In all the world as his companion. Now he wa3 riding In her carriage, but with a surly, untalkatlve soldier of the guard. The more he allowed his thoughts to revel in the American ride and its delights,, the more uncontrollable became his desire to see the one who bad whirled with him in "Light-horse Jerry's" coach. "I wish to know how soon I am to see your mistress," he exclaimed, Impulsively, sitting up and striking his companion's arm by way of emphasis. To his surprise the hand was dashed away and he dis tinctly heard the soldier gasp. "I beg your pardon!" he cried, fearing that he had given pain with his eager strength. "You startled me — I was half asleep," stammered the other, apologetically. "Whom do you mean by my mistress?" "The Princess, of course," said Lorry, impatiently. "I cannot say when you are to see the Princess," said his companion after wait ing so long that Lorry felt like kicking him. "Well, see here, my friend, do you know ■why I agreed to leave that place back there? I said I wouldn't go away from Graustark until I had seen her. If you fellows are spiriting me away— kidnaping me. as It were— I want to tell you I won't have it that way. I must know, right now, where we are going in this damnable storm." "I have orders to tell you nothing," eaid the soldier,' stanchly. "Orders, eh! From ■whom?" "That Is my affair, sir!'" "I guess I'm about as much Interested In this affair aa anybody, and I insist on knowing our destination. I jumped into this thing blindly, but I'm going: to see my way out of it before we go much farther. Where are we going?" "Tou— you will learn that soon enough," Insisted the other. "Am I to see her soon? That's what I want to know." "You must not Insist," cried the sol dier. '.'Why are you so anxious to see her?" he asked, suddenly. "Don't be so blamed Inquisitive," cried Grenfall, angrily, Impatiently. "Tell me where we are going or I'll put a bullet into you!" Drawing his revolver he leaned over, grasped the guard by the shoulder and placed the muzzle against his breast "For God's sake, be calm. You would not kill be for obeying orders! I am serving one you love. Are you mad? I shall scream If^you keep pressing that horrid thing against my side." Lorry felt him tremble, and was at once filled with compunction. How could he expect a loyal fellow to disobey orders. "I beg your pardon a thousand times," he cried, Jamming the pistol into his pocket. "You are a brave gentleman and I am a fool. Take me where you will; I'll go like a lamb. You'll admit, how ever, that It Is exasperating to be going In the dark like this." "It is a very good thing that it Is dark," said the soldier, quickly. "The darkness Is very kind to us. No one can see us and we can see no one." "I should say not. I haven't the faint est idea what you look. like. Have 1 seen you at the castle?" He stroa* mco the corridor, closed and locked tHe doors clumsily, ana began the descent of the stairs. 'TTes, frequently." "Will you tell me your name?" "You would not know me by . narni*." "Are you an officer?" "No; I am new to the service." "Then I'll see that you are promoted. 1 like your stanchness. How old aro you?" "I am — er— twenty-two." "Of the nobility?" "My father was of noble birth." "Then you must be so, too. I hopo you'll forgive my rudeness. I'm a bit nervous, you know." "I forgive you gladly." "Devilish rough road, this." '^Devilish. It is a mountain road." < "That's ■where we were, too." "Where who were?" "Oh, a young lady and I, some time ago. I just happened to think of it." "It could not have been pleasant." "You never made a bigger mistake in your life." "Oh, she must have been pretty, then." "You are right this time. She is glori ous." "Pardon me! They usually are In such adventures." "By Jove, you're a clever one." "Does she live in America?" "That's none of your affair." "Oh!" and then there was silence be tween them. "Inquisitive fool," muttered Gren to himself. . . For some time thty bumped along over the rough road. Jostling against each other frequently/both enduring, stoically and silently. The rain was still falling but the thunder-storm had lost its fury' The crashing In the sky had abated the winds were not so fierce, the night was being: shorn of its terrors. Still the in tense, almost suffocating darkness pre vailed. But for the occasional touch neither could have told that there wa3 another person on the seat. Suddenly Lorry remembered the lantern. It vri'i still lit with the slide closed when he threw it on the seat. Perhaps it still burned; and could relieve the oppressive darkness if but for a short time. Ho might at least satisfy his curiosity and look upon the face of his companion. Leaning: forward he fumbled among the traps on the opposite seat. "I think I'll see if the lantern is lighted Lot's have it a little more cheerful in here," he said. There was a sharp ex clamation, and two vigorous handa grasped him by the shoulder, Jerking him back unceremoniously. "No! No! You will ruin all! There must be no light," crlefl the soldier his voice high and shrill. "But we are out of the city." ' "I know! I know! But I will not per mit you to have a light. Against orders. We have not passed the outpost," expos tulated the other, nervously. "What's the matter with your voice"" demanded Lorry, struck by the change in It. . . "My voice?" asked the other, the tones natural again. • "It's changing Didn't it embarrass you when your voice broke like that?" went on the questioner, breathlessly. Lorry was now leaning back in the seat, quite a little mystified. "I don't- believe mine ever broke • like that," he said, speculatlvely. There was no response, and he sat silent for some time, regretting, more and more that -It was so dark. . •. ■ • ■.■.«_■. Gradually . he* became conscious of a strange, unaccountable presence in that dark cab. He could feel a change coming over him; he could not tell why, but he was sure that some one else was besid« him, some one who was not the sol dier. Something soft and delicate and sweet came Into existence, permeating the darkness with its undeniable presence. A queer power seemed drawing him toward the other end of the seat. The most de- THE SUNDAY' CALL lightful sensations took possession of him; his heart fluttered oddly; his head began to «-eel under the spell. "Who are you?" he cried. In a sort of ecstaey. There was no answer. He re membered his matchsafe. and with trem bling, eager fingers drew it from the pocket of the coat he was wearing. The next instant he was scratching a match, but as it flared the body of his companion was hurled against his and a ruthless mouth blew out the feeble blaze. "Oh, why do you persist?" was cried in his ears. , "I am determined to see your face," he answered, sharply, and with a little cry of dismay the other occupant of the car riage fell back in the corner. The next match drove away the darkness and the mystery. With blinking eyes he saw the timid soldier huddling: in the corner, one arm covering his face, the other vainly striving to pull the skirt of a military coat over a pair of red trouser-legs. Below the arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw parted lips and a beardless, dainty chin; above, long, dark tresses strayed in con demning confusion. The breast beneath the blue coat heaved convulsively. The match dropped from his fingers, and, as darkness fell again. It hid the sol dier in the strong arms of the fugitive — not a soldier bold, but a gaspingr, blush ing, unresisting coward. The litho form quivered and then became motionless in the fierce, straining embrace; the head dropped upon his shoulder, his hot lips caressing the burning face and pouring wild. Incoherent ■words Into the little ears. "You! You!" ho cried, mad with joy. "Oh, this Is heaven Itself! My brave dar ling! ' Mine forever— mine forever! You shall never leave me now! Drive on! Drive on!" he shouted to the men outside, drunk with happiness. • "We'll make this journey endless. I know you love me now —I know it! God, I shall die with joy!" An arm stole gently about his neck, and her lips found hla In a long, passlonato kiss. . "I did not want you to know! Ach, I am so sorry! Why, why did I come to-night? I. was so strong, so firm, I thought, but see how weak I am. You dominate— you own me, body and soul, In spite of every thing—against my will. I love you — I love you — I love you!" "I have won against the princes and the potentates! I was losing hope, my Queen, losing hope. You were so far away, so un attainable. I would brave a thousand deaths rather than lose this single min ute of my life. It makes me the richest man in all the world. How brave you are! This night you have given up every thing for my sake. You are fleeing with me, away from all that has been dear to you." "No, no. You must not be deluded. It Is only for to-night, only till you are safe from pursuit. I Bhall go back. You must not hope for more than this hour of weak ness, sweet as it Is to me," she cried. "You are going back and not with me?" he cried, his heart chilling. "You know I cannot. That is why I hoped you would 'never know how much I care for you. Alas, you have found me out! My- love was made rash by fear. You could never have escaped " the ven geance of Axphaln. I could -v not have shielded you. This , was the only course and I dared not hesitate. I should have died with terror had you gone to trial, knowing -what I knew. You will not think me unwomanly for coming with you as I am. It was necessary— really it was! No one else could have—" But he smothered the wail in kisses. "Unwomanly!" he exclaimed. "It was by divine Inspiration. But you will come with me, away - from Graustark. away from every one. Say that you will!" "I cannot bear to hear you plead, and It breaks my heart to go back there. But I cannot leave Graustark— I cannot! It would b« heaven to go with you to the end of the world, but I have others be sides myself to consider. You are my god my idol. I can worship you from my un happy throne, from my chamber, from the cell into which my heart is to retreat. But I cannot, I will not desert Graustark. Not even for you!" He was silent, impressed by her nobility, her loyalty. Although the Joy ebbed from his craving heart, he saw the justice of her self-sacrifice. "I would give my soul to see your face now, Yetive. Your soul Is in your eyes; I can feel it. "Why did you not let me stay in prison, meet death and so end all? It would have been better for both of us. I cannot live without you." "We can live for each other, die for each other— apart. Distance will not lessen my love. You know that it exists: it has been betrayed to you. Can you not be satis fied—just a little bit— with that knowl edge?" she pleaded, i "But I want you in reality, not In my dreams, my imagination." "Ach, we must not talk like this! There Is no alternative. You are to go, I am to stay. The future is before us; God knows what it may bring to us. Perhaps it may be good enough to give us happi ness — -who knows? Do not plead with me. I cannot endure It. Let . me be strong again! You will not be so cruel as to battle against me, now that I am weak; It would only mean my destruc tion. You do not seek that!" His soul, his honor, the greatest rever ence he had ever known was in the kiss thflt touched her brow. "I shall love you as you command without hope," he said, sadly. "Without hope for either," she sobbed. •'My poor little soldier," he ■whispered, lovingly, as her bQdy writhed under the storm of tears. "I— I wish— I were a— soldier!" she wailed. He comforted her as best he could and soon she was quiet — oh, so very quiet. Her head was on his shoulder, her hands in his. "How far do we drive?" he asked, at last. . "To the monastery? We are nearly there," she answered, In tones far away. "The monastery? Why do we go there?" he cried. "You are 'to stay there." "What do you mean? I thought I was to leave Graustark." "You are to leave — later on. Until the excitement is over the abbey is to be your hiding place. I. have arranged everything, and It Is the only safe place on earth for you at this time. No one will think of looking for you up there." "I would to God that I could stay there forever, living above you," he said, drearily. "Your window* looks down upon the castle; mine looks up to yours. The lights that burn in those two windows will send out beams of love and life for one of us, at least." "For both of us,.. my sweetheart," he corrected, fondly. "You say I will be safe there. Can you trust these men who are aiding you?" "With my life! Quinnox carried a mes sage to the Abbot yesterday, and he grants you a temporary home there, se cure and as secret as the tomb. He prom ises me this, and he is my best friend. Now, let me tell you why I am with you, masquerading so shamefully " "Adorably!" he protested. -"It is because the Abbot insisted that I bring you to him personally. He will not receive you except from my hands. There was nothing else for me to do, then, was there. Lorry? I was compelled to come and I could not come as the Princess — as a woman. Discovery would have meant degradation from which j I could not have hoped to recover. The military garments were my only safeguard." "And how many people know of your— deception?" "Three— besides yourself. Dagmar, Quin nox and Captain Dangloss. The Abbot will know later on, and I shiver as I think of It. The driver and the man who went to your cell, Ogbot, knows of the escape, but do not know I am here. Al lode—you remember him— is our driver." "Allode? He's the fellow who saw me— er— who was in the throne room." "He is the man who saw nothing, sir." "I remember his obedience." he said, laughing in spite of hi3 unhapplness. "Am I to have no freedom up here — no liberty, at all?" . "You are to act as the Abbot or the prior Instructs. And, I must not forget, Quin nox will visit you occasionally. He will conduct you from the monastery and to the border line at the proper time." "Alas! He will be my murderer. I fear. Yetive, you do not believe I killed Lo renz. I know that most of them do. but, I swear, to you, I am no more T"e perpe trator of that cowardly crime ffUua you. God bears testimony to my innocence. I want to hear you say that you do not be lieve I killed him." "I feared so at first — no, do not be an gry—I feared you had killed him for my sake. But now I am sure that you are Innocent." The carriage stopped too soon and Quin nox opened the door. It was still as dark as pitch, but the downpour had ceased ex cept for a disagreeable, misty drizzle, cold and penetrating. "We have reached the stopping place," he said. "And we are to walk from Tiere to the gate,' said the Princess, resuming her hoarse, manly tones. While they were busy donning their rain coats, she whis pered In Lorry's ear: "I beg of you, do not let him know that you have discov ered who I am." He promised, and lightly snatched a kiss, an act of Indiscretion that almost brought fatal results. Forgetful of the darkness, sV.e gave vent to a little shriek, fearing that the eyes of the cap tain had witnessed the pretty transgres sion. Lorry laughed as he sprang to the road and turned to assist her in alighting. She promptly and thoughtfully averted the danger his gallantry presented by ig noring the outstretched hands, discernible as slender shadows protruding from an object a 'shade darker than the night, and leaped boldly to the ground. The driver was Instructed to turn the carriage about and to agalt their return. . With Lorry In the center the trio walked rapidly off in the darkness, the fugitive with the sense of fear that be longs only to a blind man. A little light far ahead told the position of the gate, and for this they bent their steps, Lorry and Quinnox conversing in low tones, the Princess striding along silently beside the former, her hand in his— a fact of which the real soldier was totally unaware. Beaching the gate, the captain pounded vigorously, and a sleepy monk soon peered from the little window through which shone the light. "On Important business with the Ab bot, from her Highness, the Princess Tetive," said Quinnox, In response to a sharp query, spoken in the Graustark tongue. A little gate beside the big one opened and the monk, lantern In hand, bade them enter. i "Await me here, captain," commanded the slim, straight soldier, with face turned from the light. A moment later the gate closed and Lorry was behind the walls of St. Valentine's, a prisoner again. The monk preceded them across the dark court toward the great black shadows against the broken mist. His followers dropped some little distance be hind, the tall one's arm stealing about the other's waist, his head bending to a level with hers. "Is It to be good-by, dearest?" he asked. Good-by forever?" "I cannot say that. It would be like wishing you dead. Yet there is no hope. No, no! We will not say good-by—for ever," she said, despairingly. "Won't you bid me hope?" "Impossible! You will stay here until Quinnox comes to take you away. Then you must not stop until you are In your own land. We may meet again " "Yes,/ by my soul, we shall meet again! I'll do as you bid and all that, but I'll come back when I can stay away no longer. Go to your castle and looked forward to the day that will find me at your feet again. It Is bound to come. But how are vou to re turn to the castlo to-night and enter without creating suspicion? Have you thought of that?" "Am I a child? Inside of three hours I shall be safely In my bed and but one person in the castle will be the wiser for my absence. Here are the portals." They passed inside the massive doors and halted. "Tou must remain here until I have seen the prior." she said, laughing norvously and glancing down at the boots which showed beneath the long coat. Then she hastily followed the monk, dis appearing down the corridor. In ten min utes—ten hours to Lorry— she returned with her guide. "He will take you to your room," «he paid, breathlessly, displaying unmistak able signs of embarrassment. "The prior was shocked. Good-by, and God be with you always. Remember, I love you!" ' The monk's back was turned, so the new recluse snatched tha slight figure to his heart "Some day?" he whispered. She would not speak, but he held her until she nodded her head. XX— THE APPROACHING ORDEAIa "The American has escaped!" was tha cry that spread through Edelweiss tfie next morning. It brought undisguised relief to tne faces of thousands; there was not one who upbraided Baron Dangloss for hla astounding negligence. Never before had a criminal escaped from the Tower. The .only excuse, uttered in a woe-begone tone, was that the prison had not been constructed or manned for such clever scoundrels as Yankees— good name for audacity. But as nobody criticized, hla explanation was taken good-naturedly and there -was secret rejoicing in the city. Of course, everybody wondered where the prisoner had gone: most of them feared that he could not escape the officers, while others shrewdly smiled and ex pressed themselves a3 confident that so clever a gentleman could not be caught. They marveled at his boldness, his in genuity, his assurance. The full story of the daring break for liberty flashed from lip to Up during the day, and It was known all over the water owept city before noon. Baron Dangloss himself had gone to the prisoner's ceil early in the morning, mystified by the continued absence of the guard. The door was locked, but from within came groans and cries. Alarmed at once, the captain procured duplicate keys and entered the cell. There he found the helpless, blood covered Ogbot, bound hand and foot and almost dead from loss of blood. The clothes of the American were on the floor, while his own were missing, gone with the prisoner. Ogbot, as soon as he was able, related hla experience of the night before. It was while making his rounds at midnight that he heard moans from the cell. Animated by a feeling of pity, he opened the slab door and asked If he were 111. The wretched American was lying on the bed, apparently suffering. Ho said something which the guard could not understand, but which he took to bo a plea for assistance. Not suspecting a trick, the kindly guard unlocked the sec ond door and stepped to the bedside, only to have the sick man rise suddenly and deal him a treacherous blow over the head with the heavy tool he had secreted be hind him. Opbot knew nothing of what followed, so effective was the blow. When he regained consciousness he was lyincr on the bed, just, as the captain had found him. The poor fellow, overwhelmed by the enormity of his mistake, begged Dangloss to shoot him at once. But Dan gloss had him conveyed to the hospital ward and tenderly cared for. Three guards in one of the offices saw a man whom they supposed to be Ogbot pass from the prison shortly after 12, and the mortified chief admitted that some one had gone through his private apart merit. As the prisoner had taken Ogbot's keys, he experienced little difficulty in getting outside the gates But. vowed Dangloss stormlly. he snould be recap tured If it required the efforts of all tho policemen in Edelweiss. With this very brave declaration in mind he dispatched men to search every street and every alley, every cellar and every attic in the city. Messengers were sent to all towns In the district; armed posses scoured th»j valley and the surrounding forests ex plored the caves and brush heaps for miles around. The chagrin of the grim old captain, who had never lost a pris oner, was pitiful to behold. The forenoon was half over before Har ry Anguish heard of his friend's escape To eay that he was paralyzed would be putting it much too mildly. There is no language that can adequately describe his sensations. • Forgetting his body guard, he tore down the street toward the prison, wild -with anxiety and doubt He met Baron Dangloss, tired and worn^ near the gate, but the old officer could tell him, notl>'/>s except what be had learned from Ogbot. Of one thing thrr« coula be no doubt: Lorry was gone. Not knowing where to turn or what to do. Anguish raced off to the castle, his body guard having located him In the mean time. He was more in need of their pro tection than ever. At the castle gated he encountered a party of raving Axphaln ians, crazed with anger over the flight of the man whose life they had thirsted for so ravenously. Had he been unprotected. Anguish would have fared badly at thetr hands, for they were outspoken in the assertions that he had aided Lorry in Che escape. One fiery little fellow cast a glove In the American's face and expect ed a challenge. Anguish snapped his flngers\ and sarcastically invited the 1n sulter to meet him next winter in a bat tle with snowballs, upon which the ag gressor blasphemed in three languages and three hundred gestures. Anguish, and his men passed inside the gates, which had been barred to the others, find struck out rapidly for the castle doors. The Princess Yetive was sleeping soundly, peacefully, with a smile on 'aer lips, when her Prime Minister sent an excited attendant to Inform her of the prisoner's escape. She sat up in bed, and with her hands clasped about her knees sleepily announced that she would coma down directly after her coffee was served. Then she thought of the wild, sweet ride to the monastery, the dangerous return, her entrance to the cast';; through the pecret subterranean passage and the sa.f« arrival in her own room. All had gone well and he was safe. She smiled quaint ly as she glanced at the bundle of clothes on the floor, blue and black and re«l. They had been removed in the uncer grcund passnge and a loose gown substi tuted, but slie had carried them to hi? chamber with the intention of plac'n< them for the time being in the old mahog any chest that held so many of her child hood treasures. Springing out of bed. she opened the chest, cast them into ltd depths, turned and removed the k«*y which had always remained in the locic. Then she summoned her maids. Her uncle and aunt, the Countess Dag mar (whose merry brown eyes were bo full of pretended dismay that the Prin cess could scarcely restrain a smile), and Gaspon, the Minister of Finance, w«?ru awaiting her appearance. She heard th* Count's story of the escape, marveled at the x prisoner's audacity, and firmly an nounced that everything possible should be done to apprehend him. With a per plexed frown on her brow and a dubious twist to her lips she said: "I suppose I must offer a reward." "Certainly!" exclaimed her uncle. "About nfty gavvos, uncle?" "Fifty!" cried the two men, aghast. "Isn't that enough?" "For the murderer of a Prince?" de manded Gaspon. "It would be } absurd, your Highness. He is a most important person." "Quite so; he Is a most important per son. I think I'll offer five thousand gavvos." "More like it. He Is worth that, at least," agreed Uncle Caspar. "Beyond a doubt," sanctioned Gaspon. "I am glad you do not consider me ex travagant," she said, demurely. 'Tou may have the placards printed at once," she went on, addressing the Treasurer. "Say that a reward of live thousand gavvos will be paid to the person who delivers Grenfall Lorry to me." "Would It not be better to say 'deliv ers Grenfall Lorry to the tower'?" sub mitted Gascon. "You may say 'to the undersigned, ana sign my name," she said, reflectively. "Very well, your Hignness. They shall be struck off this morning." "In large type, Gaspon. Tou must catch him if you can," she added. "He Is a very dangerous man and royally naeda protection." With this wise bit of cau tion she dismissed the subject and began to talk of the storm. As the two young plotters were hasten ing up the stairs later on an attendant approached and informed the Princess that Mr. Anguish requested an audience. "Conduct him to my boudoir," she said, her eyes sparkling with triumph. In the seclusion of the boudoir she and tha Countess laughed like children over tha reward that had been so solemnly or dered. "Five thousand gawos!'* cried Dag mar, leaning back in her chair, to em phasize the delight she felt. "What a joke!" Tap, tap! came a knock on the door, and in the same instant It flew open, for Mr. Anguish was In a hurry. As ho plunged Into their presence a pair of heels found the floor spasmodically. "Oh, I beg pardon!" he gasped, as if about to fly. "May I come in?" "Not unless you go outside. Ton are already in, It seems," said the Princess, advancing to meet him. The Countess was very still and sedate. "I am so glad you have come." "Heard about Lorry T The fool Is out and gone," he cried, unable to restrain himself. Without a word she dragrged him to the divan, and, between them, he soon had the whole story poured Into hla ears, the Princess on one side, the Coun tess on the other. "Tou are a wonder!" he exclaimed, when all the facts were known to him. He executed a little dance of approval, entirely out of place in the boudoir of a princess, but very much In touch with pre vailing sentiment. "But what's to be come of me?" he asked, after cooling down. "I have no excuse for remaining in Graustark, and I don't like to leave him here, either." "Oh, I have made plans for you." said she. "Tou are to be held as hostage." "What!" "I thought of pour predicament last night, and here is the solution. This very day I shall Issue an order forbidding you the right to leave Edelweiss. You will not be in prison, but your every movement will be watched. A strong guard will have you under surveillance, and any attempt to escape or to communicate with your friend will result In your confinement and his detection. In this way you may stay here until the time comes to fly. The Ax phaln people must be satisfied, you know. Your freedom will not be disturbed: you may come and go as you like, but you are ostensibly a prisoner. By detaining- you forcibly we gain a point, for you are needed here. There ia no other way in which you can explain a continued pres ence in Graustark. Is not my plan a good one?" He gazed in admiration at her flushed cheeks and glowing eyes. "It is beyond comparison," he said, ris ing and bowing low. "So shrewd Is this plan that you make me a hostage for ever; I shall not escape its memory If I live to be a thousand." And so It was settled, in this pretty drama of deception, that Harry Anguisa was to be held in Edelweiss as hostage. At parting she said, seriously: "A great deal depends on your discre tion. Mr. Anguish. My guards will -watch, your every action, for they are not In tho secret— excepting Quinnox— and any at tempt on your part to communicate with Grenfall Lorry will be fatal." "Trust to me, your Highness. I have had much instruction In -wisdom to-day.** "I hope we shall see you often," she said. "Daily— as a hostage." he replied, glanc ing toward the Countess. "That means until the other man Is cap tured." said that young lady saucily. As he left- the castle- he gazed at the distant building in the sky and wondered how it had ever been approached in a carriage. She had not told him that Al lode drove for miles over winding roads that lead to the monastery up a geatler slope from the rear. The next afternoon Edelweiss thrilled with a new excitement. Prince Bolaroz of Axphain. mad with grief and rage, came thundering Into the city with, his court at his heels. HJs wrath had been increased until it resembled a tornado when he read the reward placard In tho uplands. Not until then did he know that the murderer had escaped and that ven geance might be denied him. After viewing the body of Lorenz as It lay in the sarcophagus of the royal pal ace, where it had been borne at the com mand of the Princess Yetive. he demanded audience with his son's betrothed. a:ad it was -with fear that she prepared for the trying ordeal, an Interview with the j;rief crazed old man. The castle was in a furor: its halls soon thronged with dip lomatists and there was an ugly sense of trouble In the air, sugsrestive of the ex plosion which follows the Igniting of a powder magazine. The slim, pale-faced Princess met tha burly old ruler In the prand council cham ber. He and hla nobles had been kept waiting but a short time. Continued Next "Week. 31