Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

892 flung about the child protectingly, holding him partially under one of her long, sleek red wings. The fingers of her other hand clutched convulsively at the bed coverings; she was moaning softly with a grief and terror all the more intense because it was restrained. “There is one who needs you, Miela,” I repeated. ‘‘ Comfort her—for we have come too late.” The castle now was in thorough confu- sion. Several waiting maids rushed into the room, stared at their mistress and the little prince, and, seeing what had hap- pened, stood silently wringing their hands in fright, or fled aimlessly through the halls. One of the king’s councilors had come in, stopping, bewildered, at the scene that met him. ‘Tell him what has occurred, Miela,” I said. There came now faintly to my ears from outside the castle sounds of a gathering crowd—murmurs and vague muffled shouts. The cries grew louder. <A rain of missiles struck the castle; a stone came through a near-by window, falling almost at my feet. All at once I remembered the lurking figures we had seen among the palms in the gar- den. ‘* Miela!”’ I cried. ‘ Hear that, outside! A crowd is gathering. The men we saw— out there! People whom Baar has— Miela, ask him, for God’s sake, to tell us how we can get weapons. Where are the other councilors? Send for them. We must do something—now, at once. This is revolution, Miela—don’t you_ under- stand? Revolution!” I felt so impotent. Here in this crisis I could talk to no one but Miela—could issue no direct commands—could under- stand the words of no one but her. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, Suddenly, from over our heads, a great, solemn deep-throated bell began tolling. ‘What is that? What does that mean?” A girl rushed into the room. “It is the bell of danger,” said Miela quickly. “ The girls are ringing it to arouse the city. Up here then will the people hurry to find out what it is that threat- ens,” - ** They’re outside now,” I retorted. “ Or- der all the king’s councilors here at once. Find out if any guards are about the place. Send them here. Where is the head of the city’s police? Send him here tome! Tell him to call out all his men.” | What was I saying? I had forgotten the one vital thing! ‘““Miela! The light-ray! These men of science who guard it, where are they? Send for their leader. Get him here to me at once—we must have the ray!” Miela stood very quietly beside me. Her face was white; her eyes blazed, but she seemed calm and unfrightened. “He will come,” she said, ‘“‘and armed with the ray. The bell will bring him. Your other commands I will see are obeyed.” The old councilor, who had been stand- ing by, dazed, came slowly forward —at Miela’s call. The king’s councilor! And all the others were like him. The king was dead, and here was the little prince hud- dled in his mother’s arm! Realization had been slow in coming, but now it broke upon me like a great light. I flung the bludgeon away from me, and stood erect. | ‘“* Miela,” I cried, ‘ tell him—tell them all—their king is dead. It is J who com- mand now. There is no one else—and [ have the power. Tell them that. It is {, the man from earth, who commands!” TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK. U U Don’t fail to read the absorbing Novelette in next week’s issue HER FATHER’S CONSENT By GEORGE BRONSON-HOWARD It will grip you from the very outse +O miclooks.com