Part 30 (2/2)

”Does your Highness threatenthan et from me”

”Yet,” observed Rupert, ”Rudolf Rassendyll has been much threatened, and yet lives!”

”Ale?” asked Michael scornfully

”Your Highness has run no risk of bungling!” sneered Rupert

It was telling the duke that he shi+rked danger as plain as ever I have heard a man told Black Michael had self-control I dare say he scowled--it was a great regret to me that I could not see their faces better--but his voice was even and calh! We mustn't quarrel, Rupert Are Detchard and Bersonin at their posts?”

”They are, sir”

”I need you no ue,” said Rupert

”Pray, sir, leave us,” said Michael, e will be drawn back, and I presuure disappeared I heard the door open and shut again

Michael and Antoinette de Mauban were left together To rin, the duke laid his hand on theand closed it He stood talking to Antoinette for a moment or two She shook her head, and he turned iain, and Black Michael closed the shutters

”De Gautet, De Gautet, e ”Unless you want a bath before your bed, co froe A e Rupert's are he detained his companion and leant over I dropped behind the shelter of ”Jacob's Ladder”

Then Master Rupert had a little sport He took from De Gautet a bottle which he carried, and put it to his lips

”Hardly a drop!” he cried discontentedly, and flung it in the ed from the sound and the circles on the water, within a yard of the pipe And Rupert, taking out his revolver, began to shoot at it The first two shots missed the bottle, but hit the pipe The third shattered the bottle I hoped that the young ruffian would be content; but he e over the pipe, whistled through e!” a voice cried, to my relief

Rupert and De Gautet cried, ”A e was drawn back, and all became still The clock struck a quarter-past one I rose and stretched myself and yawned

I think soht noise to ure standing in the gateway that led to the bridge It was a uessed it to be Rupert again He held a sword in his hand, and he stood hfiend bent now? Then he laughed low to himself; then he turned his face to the wall, took a step in an to climb down the wall In an instant I saw that there must be steps in the wall; it was plain They were cut into or affixed to the wall, at intervals of about eighteen inches Rupert set his foot on the lower one Then he placed his sword between his teeth, turned round, and noiselessly let himself into the water Had it been a matter of my life only, I would have swuht it out with hiht, and none to co! I restrained , and I watched hierness

He swam leisurely and quietly across There were more steps up on the other side, and he cli on the drawn-back bridge, he felt in his pocket and took so out I heard hi behind hi my ladder--I saw I did not need it now--I swae and cli with erly The duke's rooht in theon the opposite side of the bridge

Not a sound broke the silence, till half-past one chireat clock in the tower of the chateau

There were other plots than ht

CHAPTER 18