Part 35 (1/2)

This room was empty; but on the opposite side froht of this, in the other wall, was yet another

Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we had entered the house I drew my sword and walked to this door and tried to open it It was locked

Then the whole plot flashed uponboth Hazel and h as Harleston left the courtyard Well h; for never did a trap ith enious scoundrel

I went to theand tried to loosen soreat Michael's strength should here be of no avail The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in the masonry, of which the lower part of the house wasfrom the room in the expectancy that they were about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work

Still they did remain closed Michael still stood before the open door, awaitingfor a fewthat one has when convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on hireat table and, placing my sword upon it, I moved it back across one of the corners of the roo a frail barricade to protect er in her hand and said:--”Be brave my dearest, and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowest the use of this little weapon However, so long as thou seest hope, refrain from its use; for even in our position no one can tell what the result may be”

”Fear not, Walter dear, unless I may be thy spotless bride my husband shall be death”

”Mine own dear, brave, littlekiss upon her brow, behind the--in soood sword and, holding it at arth to test its reach, I said to Michael:--

”Do thou go, good Michael, to yon door, and see if there be any one within the room behind it”

”Oi will, sor” And he crossed the inner roothy strides

This door was unfastened, so he opened it as he had done the other, except that this one opened towards him, and still stood he upon the threshold

”Sure, yer honour, thare's anither door here, sor”

”Open it also, Michael;” though the next ue from my throat than have uttered those words

Michael had just disappeared into this second unexplored room when, with a crash, the door that had re where Hazel and I waited flew open, and several armed men rushed in

”Beware Michael! co

Ere he could obey, however, the door was closed and securely locked and barred behind him At the same instant the room in which I stood was filled with soldiers, which entered by the other doors

”Come on, ye pack of cowards! Why do ye hesitate? Do ye fear the single sword of one good knight? Co wolves that fear to attack, and yet stand in a circle round and growl!”

I cried in defiance at them

[Illustration: ”Come on, ye pack of cowards”]

Theremore than half in my room, and the others in the rooiant now thundered at the separating door, and swore an unceasing streaeance

This door, however, was a heavy oaken one, and withstood even Michael's reat endurance

Still the soldiers stood waiting, swords in hands

Presently, with leisurely, swinging stride and clanking ar face, entered my dearest foe, Catesby With a courtly bow, accoraceful wave of the hand, he saluted Hazel, ith great calmness, stood with clenched hands and firm-pressed lips behind her barricade

”Welcome, ees Methinks the directions in uests have arrived even earlier than I had expected,”