Part 53 (1/2)

”Quickly, Princess!”

A strong arm was about her and drew her swiftly fro of h the croo soldiers who sought to stop the, and were traure in the midst of it was outside the mob, and at the entrance to a narrow, dark street

”Hold this street with your lives!” cried one ”This way, Princess,”

and with half a dozen uard her she ran forward, the din of the struggle in the Bergenstrasse growing fainter and fainter as they went

Another rocket hissed skyward, and then tactics changed The crowd knehat the signalthean to draw back to side streets, fighting desperately at corners for a fewup into s by twos and threes into alleys and dark passages into which the soldiers did not deem it wise to follow theenstrasse was cleared, and many a dark form lay stretched in the roadway, and not a feore the King's uniform Some lay quite still, their troubles and ambitions over; some attempted to craay and hide theroaned and cried piteously for help The inhabitants of the Bergenstrasse had been rudely awakened, but for a long time none ventured out to render any help to the wounded, lest the soldiers should attack the feet woke the echoes of the quieter streets and distant parts of the town-- toward safety More troops would erous to be found in the streets to-night Doors in dark streets opened and quietly closed again; weapons were carefully hidden away under loose boards, and their owners becaain

One little band of htly, and certain of every corner they turned Souided the Princess to safety, and now they were bent on carrying the good news to others aiting eagerly to hear it The foreave a peculiar knock It was opened immediately, and the custodian asked no questions as the arden, where, not so long ago, they had helped to put an end to a duel As they entered the long roohted, they paused It was easy to see that there was consternation aers were present ”Well?” cried a dozen voices

”She is safe”

”Safe! Gone to her death and destruction,” was the answer ”The Countess is a traitor”

”It's death to the first ers, his hand upon his sword hilt, and as the men drew back before such sudden fury, they noticed that the other stranger, a bearded soldier of huge proportions, grasped his sword hilt too

The enstrasse waited for an explanation

”Are we not all friends here?” exclaimed Baron Petrescu hastily ”There is soain,” and he turned to aas the newcomers had entered He had come in breathless haste at the very ht Des hands had opened the low door in the wall for the by Duerly was he looked for and recognized as the leader of the rebellion which ht He had co Princess Maritza; and now came this man with a tale which filled their hearts with consternation

”I had it from one who fills a chief servant's place in the palace, and who is one of us,” said theto ht out the Countess, danced with her, and then, seated in an alcove, behind so persuaded her to betray those who favored the cause of the Princess, and the Countess was tempted, and promised Early to- by a trusted iven his oath that no one shall know from whom it comes”

”I do not believe it,” said the Baron ”Sheso”

”She had, Baron The King persuaded her that her act of betrayal should be the salvation of a rebel”

”What rebel? Princess Maritza?” asked Petrescu

”No, Baron; Captain Ellerey”

”It was indeed a subtle temptation,” and Petrescu turned slowly to look at his companion

”The truth shall quickly be put to the test,” said Ellerey ”Give th in me Is mine to be the only voice raised in her defence? Are you all so ready to believe evil of the woman who has served your Princess so well? I stake my honor that with her Maritza is safe”

”True; but speak less harshly, Captain,” whispered Petrescu ”These er them”

”He from whom I had the news ever speaks the truth,” said the man who had told the story ”He has never failed us in the past”

”Has the Countess ever failed you in the past?” Ellerey cried ”Shaht Her loyalty shall be proved on the instant”