Part 35 (2/2)
”One!” cried Baldos, gloating in the chance that had come to him. The man gasped and fell. He was none too quick in withdrawing his dripping weapon, for the second man was over the obstacle and upon him.
CHAPTER XXV
THE VALOR OF THE SOUTH
”Hold the lantern higher, Bev--” In the fury of the fight, he remembered the risk and importance of not mentioning her name, and stopped short. He was fighting fast but warily, for he realized that his present adversary was no mean one. As the swords played back and forth in fierce thrusts and parries, he spoke a.s.suringly to Beverly: ”Don't be frightened! As soon as I finish with this fellow, we will go on! Ah!
Bravo! Well parried, my man! How the deuce could such a swordsman as you become a cutthroat of Marlanx?”
Beverly had been standing still all this time holding the light high above her head, according to her lover's orders, for she knew now that such he was and that she loved him with all her heart. She was a weird picture standing there as she watched Baldos fighting for their lives, her beautiful face deathlike in its pallor. Not a cry escaped her lips, as the sword-blades swished and clashed; she could hear the deep breathing of the combatants in that tomb-like pa.s.sage.
Suddenly she started and listened keenly. From behind her, back there in the darkness, hurried footsteps were unmistakably approaching. What she had heard, then, was not the scurrying of a rat. Some one was following them. A terrible anguish seized her. Louder and nearer came the heavy steps. ”Oh, my G.o.d! Baldos!” she screamed in terror, ”Another is coming!”
”Have no fear, dear one!” he sung out gaily. His voice was infinitely more cheerful than he felt, for he realized only too well the desperate situation; he was penned in and forced to meet an attack from front and rear. He fell upon his a.s.sailant with redoubled fury, aiming to finish him before the newcomer could give aid.
From out of the gloom came a fiendish laugh. Instantly, the dark figure of a man appeared, his face completely hidden by a broad slouch hat and the long cloak which enveloped him. A sardonic voice hissed, ”Trapped at last! My lady and her lover thought to escape, did they!” The voice was unfamiliar, but the atmosphere seemed charged with Marlanx. ”Kill him, Zem!” he shouted. ”Don't let him escape you! I will take care of the little witch, never fear!” He clutched at the girl and tried to draw her to him.
”Marlanx! By all the G.o.ds!” cried Baldos in despair. He had wounded his man several times, though not seriously. He dared not turn to Beverly's aid.
The scene was thrilling, grewsome. Within this narrow, dimly-lighted underground pa.s.sage, with its musty walls sweating with dampness and thick with the tangled meshes of the spider's web, a brave girt and her lover struggled and fought back to back.
To her dismay, Beverly saw the point of a sword at her throat.
”Out of the way, girl,” the man in the cloak snarled, furious at her resistance. ”You die as well as your lover unless you surrender. He cannot escape me.”
”And if I refuse,” cried the girl, trying desperately to gain time.
”I will drive my blade through your heart and tell the world it was the deed of your lover.”
Baldos groaned. His adversary, encouraged by the change in the situation, pressed him sorely.
”Don't you dare to touch me, Count Marlanx. I know you!” she hissed.” I know what you would do with me. It is not for Graustark that you seek his life.”
The sword came nearer. The words died in her throat. She grew faint. Terror paralyzed her. Suddenly, her heart gave a great thump of joy. The resourcefulness of the trapped was surging to her relief. The valor of the South leaped into life. The exhilaration of conflict beat down all her fears. ”Take away that sword, then, please,” she cried, her voice trembling, but not with terror now; it was exultation.” Will you promise to spare his life? Will you swear to let him go, if I--”
”No, no, never! G.o.d forbid!” implored Baldos.
”Ha, ha!” chuckled the man in the cloak. ”Spare his life! Oh, yes; after my master has revelled in your charms. How do you like that, my handsome goathunter?”
”You infernal scoundrel! I'll settle you yet!” Baldos fairly fumed with rage. Gathering himself together for a final effort, he rushed madly on his rapidly-weakening antagonist.
”Baldos!” she cried hopelessly and in a tone of resignation. ”I must do it! It is the only way!”
The man in the cloak as well as Baldos was deceived by the girl's cry. He immediately lowered his sword. The lantern dropped from Beverly's hands and clattered to the floor. At the same instant she drew from her pocket her revolver, which she had placed there before leaving the castle, and fired point blank at him. The report sounded like a thunder clap in their ears. It was followed quickly by a sharp cry and imprecation from the lips of her persecutor, who fell, striking his head with a terrible force on the stones.
Simultaneously, there was a groan and the noise of a limp body slipping to the ground, and, Baldos, victor at last, turned in fear and trembling to find Beverly standing unhurt staring at the black ma.s.s at her feet.
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