Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1911 — The Knight of the Silver Star [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Knight of the Silver Star

A Bto&unce cf

By PERCY BREBNER

CHAPTER XV. ... BLEFT her. No word bould be spoken after such a farewell. Ln an outer room Jasar and O'Ryan were waiting for me. "We will go at said the priest., O'Ryan and I followed him from the room and down endless corridors and passages. He led us a score of yards from the secret door through the walls, and there was one of the princess’ guards with two horses. We mounted at once. I raised my r cap. and O’Ryan and 1 moved forward. We proceeded on the level for some distance and then the path dipped. It was a steep descent, and we had much work to keep our horses on their feet But the trees gradually thinned, and presently we emerged from the wood. O'Ryan stood for a few moments talking his bearings. “Straight before us. Verrail.” he whispered. “We’ll put as much ground behind us as possible before dawn.’’ “You know why lam going to Yadaaara. I suppose?” I said presently “Faith, because the other place has got too hot to hold you.” “I still have a mission.” “The same one?” be asked. “Yes. 1 shall return and attempt to lead the princess’ forces against Yadasara.” “And the treasure finding comes afterward, I presume?” said O’Ryan. “Precisely ” “It’s a mighty pretty program, but it’ll want some doing. I doubt not we'll get into the city somehow, but we shall not get out of it so easily. You’ll not find women with keys to back doors there.” At the first streak of dawn we stopped to rest the animals at a stream and fonnd comfort In a drink of wine from a flask O’Ryan bad provided himself with. Presently, away on our right, I saw the great rock rising up in the light of the early morning. The sun rose higher. O'Ryan reined in bls horse. We were hidden in the Wood. “From here we'll make straight for the bridge. See, it is yonder, and they keep a sharp watch. Ride leisurely. One thing more. Remember, you’re not a just a bumble soldier of fortune, willing to serve the king for what pay be can afford to promise yon—and, remember, I am a captain in the king’s army and a little deference would be a good thing You might call me captain pretty often. You can very well do it in that dress, and the more Importance I can show the better for our enterprise and safety. Now come.” I followed him ata canter toward the bridge. We pulled up half a dozen yards from the sentries who challenged us.

“Where’s the captain of your guard: I want to speak with him." said O’Ryan. “Have you a password?” * “No. How is it possible, when I have chiefly been spending my time tn prison yonder? Do you know any one of the name of Dennis O’Ryan?" “Never beard of him.” I smiled—the answer was so prompt. “So much for fame.” said O'Ryan. “Call your captain and ask him.” But the captain, hearing the altercation. camp out, followed by half a dozen troopers from a small building at the other end of the bridge. The river was not so wide at this point as it was by the city. “What is it?” he called as he came. “Faith, here’s two blockheads swearing they don’t know Dennis O'Ryan— Captain Dennis O'Ryan. You know him well enough if you’re Costa, and you should be by your face.” “O’Ryan f' he exclaimed. “Why, aren’t you dead? Everybody said you were, so yon ought to be.” “Everybody’s wrong, though why I’m foot dead is more than I can tell Tm from prison. They finished the troop I set out with, but I’ve brought back a recruit who’ll count for something. But let the story wait I’ll tell it to the king.” -■ “Dismount and thrown down your arms and you can cross the bridge.” “You'll bring me to the king?” “I wouldn't rob him of your tale for tte world.” was the answer. “I’ll send forward and ask at what hour he’ll receive you.” “That's courteous of you, but you Spaniards were ever that,” said O'Ryan Then he whispered to me, “It’s car best chance, and, anyway, we’ll enter the city somehow." He got off bls horse and threw down his sword. I followed his example. We crossed the bridge, surrounded by the soldiers, and entered the small building on the other side. “I’ll send to the king, and you can rest here and make up your tale until the messenger returns. I wouldn’t trouble about the tale overmuch, for like as not you'll never have a chance of telling it” “And why not?" “The king may command your immediate removal to the fortress." “Then, by St Patrick, I’ll tell the tale to you as we go there.” . When Costa returned he said to

O’Ryan, “You are to have a chance to tell your tale.” We were soon conducted to the room where we were presented to the king. His majesty listened to Costd’s story of our coming to the capital. Then O’Ryan was permitted to tell his story. He was questioned sometimes in a mirthful way, and then severely, about hi-; service in behalf of the princess, and then questioned about Vasca and his valor, and about Vasca’s actions in behalf of the princess. After all this the king looked at me and said to O’Ryan: “Stand back, sir, let me look at this new recruit.” He motioned me and I approached. “You wish to live, fellow?” “if* it please your majesty,” 1 answered. “I asked your pleasure ?” “I have never begged my life from any one who had the power to take it.” “Do you understand that this is the king?” said a courtier, angry at my answer, and evidently wishing to secure his master’s favor. “I do, my lord, and I remember that I am a man.” “It seems we have two ready tongues near us,” the king said, rather pleased at the discomfiture of his companion. “What is your name?” “Clinton.” I answered. “And your country?” “England.” “They rear good men in England,” said the king to those about him. “Captain O'Ryan says you have great strength.” “I do not boast of it. your majesty.” “Do you think you are as strong as I am?” . “Y'our majesty is seated—it is difficult to judge.” “Now,” said the king, rising and squaring his shoulders. “Your majesty is well knit; but I should not fear to try my strength against yours.” “That is spoken like a man. You shall. Costa!” The Spaniard came forward, bowing. “Stand stiff, man. Move, and I shall let you fall. Y'ou’ll fall heavily enough.” The king grasped him in the back with one hand and very steadily raised him above his head. He held him there for a few moments and then, giving a cry to warn him, threw him forward. “Bravo, bravo!” said the little knot of courtiers, and then they laughed,

for Costa had not fallen on his feet. He picked himself tip and was very reluctant to be experimented upon by me. “Your majesty is strong,” I said. Then I took the Spaniard by the back and raised him slowly, as the king had done, but I did not throw him forward. “Keep still,” I said, and slowly I lowered him to the floor again. I thought the king was athlete enough to know that this was by far the most difficplt part of the feat. The courtiers were Silent, but the king was more generous. “You are stronger than I am,” he said. “You will serve me?” “I am at your majesty’s disposal” “CaDtain O’Ryan. I thank you for such a recruit I will have him in my bodyguard. You will see that he is well cared for. Clinton, if your loyalty equals your strength you shall rise to honor." “Is it your majesty’s pleasure that I look to the feeding and clothing of your new guard before I am imprisoned in the fortress?” asked O’Ryan. “I had forgotten you.” “It is not too late for your majesty to remember me favorably.” “You were Captain O’Ryan when you left Yadasara.” “I was, your majesty.” “You are still Captain O’Ryan. You have a ready tongue, but such tongues often tell more than the plain truth. Your own loyalty wants proving, and your recruit's wants showing. Let me trust you both, and, you. Captain O'Ryan, shall have nothing to complain of.” And with a wave of bis hand he dismissed us. O’Ryan’s lodging was in the lower part of the city, In a building abutting upon the walla. I heard Bridget before I saw her. “Who's there?” she shouted as we entered. , “Dennis, me dartin’,” was the answer. Bridget was a tall, large boned woman. with big hands and feet, which

she gave the Impression of being rather proud of. for her short, tight fitting skirt showed off the one, and her. sleeves, being rolled halfway up the arms, did not lessen the magnitude of the other. Her features were anguher black hair tangled, and her eyes, which I admit were fine, had little gentleness in them. Of sentiment she could know nothing. She stood facing us. her hands oh her hips. “You’ve come back, then?” “Yes,” said O’Ryan meekly. I had never heard him speak like it before. “And what have you got to say for ■yourself?” “It’s a long story, Bridget,” he said . suddenly. ■a “TrUst you for that.” “You don’t seem very pleased* to see me,” he went on in an injured tone. “I’ve been living chiefly in prison since I saw you last I looked for a good meal and then to telling you my story.” “Tell me first who is this you have with you?” “He is one of the king’s guards now. I brought him back with me. I captured him.” “That’s a good beginning to a tale, indeed. You could no more capture . him than you can make a fool of me. Is he looking for a good meal too?” “If you please. Bridget.” “Well, you can have what I’ve got. which isn't much. You've never done over your share of the providing, Dennis, but I’ve missed the little you did do. Mind, you’re not forgiven. I’ll feed you, and I’ll hear your tale. If ■ the tale doesn’t please me, out you go. ! I'm going to have no more nonsense.” After the meal came the tale. The ■ king had been satisfied with a little ' compared to what O'Ryan thought 1 necessary to set Bridget’s suspicions l at rest. But he pleased her not the least by telling her how much he had talked of her to me. This was one of I the few truths the whole story had contained, and I Willingly indorsed it. The following day I was introduced j to my comrades of the king's guard. It chanced that my duties took me to the fortress, and since Costa, with whom I had to do, had taken a liking : to me I saw more than I should have done in an ordinary way. As Costa showed me what he was pleased to term some of the things of interest, I did not wonder that O’Ryan spoke of the fortress of Yadasara j with respect. Here were instruments of torture not on show—not diabolical inventions of the past exhibited for the present to shudder at, but machines which had been used only a few days ago and might be used again tomorrow.

Costa opened a heavy door, and a damp atmosphere met us. He took a key and, going to a slab In one corner of the floor, unlocked it and lifted the slab by a ring which was fastened In its center. “For dead men,” he said, pointing down. A smooth slide went down at an angle, and as I bent over to look I could hear the faint sound of water washing restlessly. “Into the river?” I asked. “Yes. From many of these dungeons there is such an exit. They lead into one big shaft which goes deep into the water under the rock.” “And so out into the river?” “Sometimes. If the weight attached to the body to keep it down should slip off the body might rise in the river. I heard of one case. If you should ever cease to be loyal make friends with the executioners. They can bungle their work and kill quickly” Only one ambition had I—to learn the way out of Drussenland. That evening in the guardroom I brought the conversation round to the subject with two or three of my comrades, carefully, of course, not to excite wonder. “There was the sound of water, I remember,” said one. O'Ryan had said the same. < “Running water?” “No, falling water.” I remembered the waterfall that poor Mustapha and I had started out from Brayie to see. Could it have anything to do with the entrance to Drussenland i It was toward the evening of the next day that, being off duty, I wandered towards the lower city in the direction of the northern gate. The

snarp clatter of BofMs* KJofS Upon the rough road suddenly disturbed my thoughts. I did not wish to attract attention, so stepped back into the corner of a building. Coming up the street was a knight followed by two of the king’s guards. He was a mere stripling, but he set his charger well and made a brave show in his glittering armor. He did not look a formidable opponent, and I could not see a dint upon-his harness —that sure trademark of past combats. A carpet knight, still he was young and pleas-, ant to look upon, and I watched him as he came without feeling any particular interest in him. He was almost level with me when he drew rein and waited for the men to overtake him. He pointed apparently to the fortress and asked some question. I could not hear the question nor the answer given, but in turning to speak he gave me a better view of his face. It was familiar th me, strangely familiar. I felt convinced that It was not in Yadasara that I had seen him, and if not it must have been in the service of the princess. No, he was not one of the knights I had known there. Who was

he? What had he come to the city for? In iny restless state of mind his advent made me doubly anxious. I asked no questions; there was no need to, for the news of the stranger’s arrival was already known. “You’ll have an opportunity before long, Clinton, of repaying your enemies for putting you in prison,” said one. “Oh! How so?” “A knight hag just come to the palace with news.” “From the rebel camp? I saw him passing through the streets. What news does he bring?" “You’re in too great a hurry, Clinton. They say the king will not talk of business tonight, so the news will not be told until tomorrow. Who was the knight? Did you know him?” “No.” Who was this knight who, coming from the. princess’ camp, was allowed to enter the city so freely? The net was closing in upon us, and a sickly fear took hold of me. (To be continued.)

THE KING STEADILY RAISED HIM ABOVE HIS HEAD.

HE POINTED APPARENTLY TO THE FORTRESS.