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We stopped for a draught of wine and to bait our horses, losing half an hour thus. I dared not go into the inn, and stayed with the horses in the stable. Then we went ahead again, and had covered some five-and-twenty miles, when Sapt abruptly stopped. Hark! he cried. I listened. Away, far behind us, in the still of the eveningit was just half-past ninewe heard the beat of horses hoofs. The wind blowing strong behind us, carried the sound. I glanced at Sapt. Come on! he cried, and spurred his horse into a gallop. When we next paused to listen, the hoof- beats were not audible, and we relaxed our pace. Then we heard them again. Sapt jumped down and laid his ear to the ground. There are two, he said. Theyre only a mile behind. Thank God the road curves in and out, and the winds our way. We galloped on. We seemed to be holding our own. We had entered the outskirts of the forest of Zenda, and the trees, closing in behind us as the track zigged and zagged, prevented us seeing our pursuers, and them from seeing us. Another half-hour brought us to a divide of the road. Sapt drew rein. To the right is our road, he said. To the left, to the Castle. Each about eight miles. Get down. But theyll be on us! I cried. Get down! he repeated brusquely; and I obeyed. The wood was dense up to the very edge of the road. We led our horses into the covert, bound handkerchiefs over their eyes, and stood beside them. You want to see who they are? I whispered. Ay, and where theyre going, he answered. I saw that his revolver was in his hand. Nearer and nearer came the hoofs. The moon shone out now clear and full, so that the road was white with it. The ground was hard, and we had left no traces. Here they come! whispered Sapt. Its the duke! I thought so, he answered. It was the duke; and with him a burly fellow whom I knew well, and who had cause to know me afterwardsMax Holf, brother to Johann the keeper, and body-servant to his Highness. They were up to us: the duke reined up. I saw Sapts finger curl lovingly towards the trigger. I believe he would have given ten years of his life for a shot; and he could have picked off Black Michael as easily as I could a barn-door fowl in a farmyard. I laid my hand on his arm. He nodded reassuringly: he was always ready to sacrifice inclination to duty. Which way? asked Black Michael. To the Castle, your Highness, urged his companion. There we shall learn the truth. For an instant the duke hesitated. |
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