The San Francisco call. [volume], December 15, 1901, Page 31, Image 32

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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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