Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 260: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 253 it was a dark night. The men were in a great hall smoking and gambling, the air full of tobacco and the sounds of ribald song. It wanted ten minutes to eleven when the two girls and Cottrell, all cloaked darkly, stepped cautiously out on the ramparts; without a word—simply a nod of the head—Daron noiselessly withdrew the bolts, and quickly the pon- derous gate swung back on its hinges. With a clasp of the hand each quickly passed by Jean and down the steps. The gate was closed and brave Daron continued to stand on guard. “Whoever would have thought we could so easily Have eluded Don Cavara?”’ whispered Marie de Villiers to the American. “ We are not out of the woods,” replied Cottrell, with a shake of the head. They had reached the great drawbridge. This was a difficulty that Henry had anticipated. The noise of lowering the structure was not to be thought of, so he had provided a couple of rough planks that he found in one of the turrets, and now it was the work of a moment to place them across the chasm. It was no time for any formality. First Anne (for Marie would have it so) and then the countess were borne across the narrow way in Cottrell’s strong arms. On the second trip Henry did not seem to realize when the plank had been traversed, but went carefully down the rough steps that followed, his burden still in his arms. . ‘““ Mayn't I walk now? ”’ murmured a voice. “Not yet,” said Cottrell very decidedly; “it is too rough for your tender feet, my countess.” “ But I’m awfully heavy,” went on the voice. “You’re as light as a feather!” was the reply. Marie made no more remonstration, but settled her head on his shoulder again with a happy little sigh, that was scarcely audible. They had reached level ground, and were just on the edge of the woods, the three walking single file, Cottrell leading, when :uddenly in the stillness of the night there broke out a mocking laugh; another moment and the air seemed filled with the sounds of brutal mirth as though from a hundred throats. The women clung to Cottreil in abject terror, casting frigttened glances about them, in a vain endeavor to pierce the darkness. ‘My countess,” said Cottrell, with a groan, “try to be brave. I fear we hz.ve fallen in a trap.” Then innumerable torches flared up one by one, illuminating the woods, casting great, unnatural shadows about, and lighting up the evil faces of Don Cavara’s band, as they closed in around the little group. The next instant Cavara himself stepped forward and fixed his eyes on them, an evil smile on his lips. “So you were going to leave my hospitable home without so much as bidding me good by. I call that unkind,” he sneered. Then his smile broadened, showing his gleaming teeth. “ We have been expecting you, though not quite so soon; we watched you as you came down those steps yonder. Really, monsieur, I quite envied you your burden; and the lady looked so contented ! ” Despairing, beside himself with rage and hate, Cottrell made a dash for GONG OOO UN ceo