Part 58 (1/2)

”Fool! _Canaille!_ To think to make an end of me so easily,” and he took the bracelet fro this you have served ive you decent burial had I the leisure, but time presses You must rest here until they find you”

De Froilette hastily put so the two chambers of his revolver, slipped that too into his pocket

”Now if I can only see Ellerey as silent as this brute, I can laugh at them all With the bracelet in 's courtesy, or, if it suits better, the Queen's obedience

I thank you, friend Vasilici,” and with a and, De Froilette took up his hat and cloak, and left the roo table

CHAPTER XXVII

IN PURPLE AND RED AND GOLD

The attack upon the Countess Mavrodin's house had commenced soon after daybreak At that early hour few persons were abroad in the streets except the soldiers, who had been hastily e in the city as soon as the escape of the Princess became known; but it was not until an hour or two later that the news of the attack, and the desperate resistance the soldiers had an to circulate

When the riot, which had resulted in Maritza's rescue, had been quelled, and the rioters had ht of the troops, it was hoped that a salutary lesson had been administered which would prevent any recurrence of open rebellion That the Princess could not long elude recapture seemed certain, and her brief triu dead in the streets were a grim reminder of the reality of law and order

The strenuous defence of the Countess Mavrodin's house had come as a severe blow to the complacency of the authorities It seemed probable that Princess Maritza had found shelter there, that she was actually in the house when the attack wasthe soldiers back until she had escaped But this was not all It was evident that it was not only upon the rabble that the Princess could depend Her cause was espoused by Frina Mavrodin, and those who had considered her only a beautiful, frivolous woman awoke to the fact that she had power and unlimited wealth She had played a part, she had beco, and it was easy to understand how far reaching her coht be at this crisis Baron Petrescu, too, had been a proure in the resistance which had been made, and was still unharmed; it was impossible to foretell how many others, from one cause or another

That the attack had been successfully resisted, in so far that the Princess had been able to escape, gave an enore of the rebels The death of co effect upon soue that they had done what they had set out to do, and that for the present enough had been acco raised fresh passions within them, and their leaders were not slow to add fuel to the furnace

These enthusiasts declared that it was only necessary to seize the advantage already gained, to win the city and to force their will upon the country Was not their Princess a them? Had not important persons already declared for her? Were there not hundreds of others ready to do so, only that fear of the people's fickleness and half-heartedness held theain There were stir and deterone forth that the day so long looked for had indeed co would be in their hands; that Maritza, their sovereign, would st them in the Grande Place to lead them, and that by noon all loyal men must win their way there It was no anization, at least, had been proceeding for a long ti were known Leaders had been chosen and accepted, men who knew every alley and byway of the city, and had , the cover to be had and taken advantage of, and the narrohere the soldiers would ly and hand to hand

As theadvanced, separate bands traversed theconflict for the present as much as possible Here and there sharp skirmishes took place, but no determined effort was made to rush the soldiers, nor were the soldiers successful in dispersing those hoe their route The rebel leaders had no wish to make boldly for the Grande Place before noon, that would only be to make knohat their objective was When the ti, and when once the soldiers saw that they were he with thee that a the troops there was dissatisfaction?

Desmond Ellerey had fallen in with one of these bands when he escaped froarden The leader, a lusty enthusiast, who had already looked forward to the rewards which must accrue from this day's victory, could tell him all that was to happen, but of Maritza's whereabouts at thatAll he was sure of was that she would be in the Grande Place at the appointed time He was a skilful leader

He took his followers by aevery point where soldiers were likely to be Every man was valuable, and to lose even one in a skir was to jeopardize the success of the rebellion to that extent He constantly turned aside to avoid some particular corner which the scouts sent on before reported occupied; but although this often necessitated returning for soradually to approach the place of rendezvous, until a little before noon he had brought his band into an alley opening out of one of the streets which led directly into the Grande Place

”An excellent battle ground for us,” he said, turning to Ellerey ”The space is confined, narrow streets abound for us to fight in, which will prevent the soldiers rushi+ng us or bringing guns into action”

Ellerey nodded, but his heart was heavy Enthusiasht accomplish much, but he did not believe in the ability of the rebels to withstand the ht, Sturatzberg was not likely to be caught asleep What was this day to bring to the woman he loved? If he could have known that she was in safety, he could have drawn his sith a lighter heart, and struck boldly for her cause--died for it, if need be But she was not safe

Unless she had already fallen into the hands of her ene to the Grande Place She had pro of the enthusiasm which was on every side of him He knew her too well even to hope that she would not co must mean death His love made him afraid He could not see even the barest possibility of victory, nor had he any hope that she could escape now

Love made him a coward--his vital force seeer to such a sense of fear until this reat effort that he was able to throw off the paralyzing effect it had upon him

From the tower of the Hotel de Ville the hour of noon sounded clear and musically over the city

”Ready!” said the leader ”But the Princess?” said Ellerey

”She will co of the hour was evidently the signal The last stroke had not died ahen the men moved out from the alley into the street, and went quickly towards the Grande Place Similar bands of men came from other alleys, and from every street they poured ined to Ellerey, no duty had devolved upon him, and as the forward rush was made, he contrived to keep at the side of the street, so that he ht not be forced to the front of the crowd

Once in the Square he stepped aside, sheltering hile of a wall, and no one noticed his movements as they rushed past him

There were comparatively few soldiers in the Grande Place, and for the The sharp rattle of musketry came swiftly, but in a moment the soldiers were swept back or beaten down There was a triumphant shout at this success, but the men ell in hand They did not attempt to follow the enemy into the side streets into which they were driven, but, having in the first onslaught seized every entrance to the square, took up their positions to hold them For a few moments there was silence, save for the quick co their appointed places They were heartened and enthusiastic They had only to hold the Grande Place for a while--co from every quarter of the city--and the soldiers would be between two fires So the leaders encouraged, and the men believed and were content

Ellerey still re to attract as little attention as possible Were he seen and recognized, some position of command was likely to be thrust upon him, and this he was most anxious to avoid His place was beside Maritza when she ca him what orders he had received ”To protect the Princess,” he answered