The Forcing of the TrapThe position wherein I stood does not appear very favourable tothought; yet for the next moment or two I thought profoundly. I had, I toldmyself, scored one point. Be Rupert Hentzau's errand what it might, andthe villainy he was engaged on what it would, I had scored one point. Hewas on the other side of the moat from the King, and it would be by nofault of mine if ever he set foot on the same side again. I had three left todeal with: two on guard and De Gautet in his bed. Ah, if I had the keys! Iwould have risked everything and attacked Detchard and Bersonin beforetheir friends could join them. But I was powerless. I must wait till thecoming of my friends enticed someone to cross the bridge--someone withthe keys. And I waited, as it seemed, for half an hour, really for about fiveminutes, before the next act in the rapid drama began.

　　All was still on the other side. The duke's room remained inscrutablebehind its shutters. The light burnt steadily in Madame de Mauban'swindow. Then I heard the faintest, faintest sound: it came from behind thedoor which led to the drawbridge on the other side of the moat. It but justreached my ear, yet I could not be mistaken as to what it was. It was madeby a key being turned very carefully and slowly. Who was turning it? Andof what room was it the key? There leapt before my eyes the picture ofyoung Rupert, with the key in one hand, his sword in the other, and an evilsmile on his face. But I did not know what door it was, nor on which of hisfavourite pursuits young Rupert was spending the hours of that night.

　　I was soon to be enlightened, for the next moment--before my friendscould be near the chateau door--before Johann the keeper would havethought to nerve himself for his task-- there was a sudden crash from theroom with the lighted window. It sounded as though someone had flungdown a lamp; and the window went dark and black. At the same instant acry rang out, shrill in the night: "Help, help! Michael, help!" and wasfollowed by a shriek of utter terror.

　　I was tingling in every nerve. I stood on the topmost step, clinging to the threshold of the gate with my right hand and holding my sword in myleft. Suddenly I perceived that the gateway was broader than the bridge;there was a dark corner on the opposite side where a man could stand. Idarted across and stood there. Thus placed, I commanded the path, and noman could pass between the chateau and the old Castle till he had triedconclusions with me.

　　There was another shriek. Then a door was flung open and clangedagainst the wall, and I heard the handle of a door savagely twisted.

　　"Open the door! In God's name, what's the matter?" cried a voice--thevoice of Black Michael himself.

　　He was answered by the very words I had written in my letter.

　　"Help, Michael--Hentzau!"A fierce oath rang out from the duke, and with a loud thud he threwhimself against the door. At the same moment I heard a window above myhead open, and a voice cried: "What's the matter?" and I heard a man'shasty footsteps. I grasped my sword. If De Gautet came my way, the Sixwould be less by one more.

　　Then I heard the clash of crossed swords and a tramp of feet and --Icannot tell the thing so quickly as it happened, for all seemed to come atonce. There was an angry cry from madame's room, the cry of a woundedman; the window was flung open; young Rupert stood there sword in hand.

　　He turned his back, and I saw his body go forward to the lunge.

　　"Ah, Johann, there's one for you! Come on, Michael!"Johann was there, then--come to the rescue of the duke! How would heopen the door for me? For I feared that Rupert had slain him.

　　"Help!" cried the duke's voice, faint and husky.

　　I heard a step on the stairs above me; and I heard a stir down to my left,in the direction of the King's cell. But, before anything happened on myside of the moat, I saw five or six men round young Rupert in theembrasure of madame's window. Three or four times he lunged withincomparable dash and dexterity. For an instant they fell back, leaving aring round him. He leapt on the parapet of the window, laughing as heleapt, and waving his sword in his hand. He was drunk with blood, and helaughed again wildly as he flung himself headlong into the moat.

　　What became of him then? I did not see: for as he leapt, De Gautet'slean face looked out through the door by me, and, without a second'shesitation, I struck at him with all the strength God had given me, and hefell dead in the doorway without a word or a groan. I dropped on my kneesby him. Where were the keys? I found myself muttering: "The keys, man,the keys?" as though he had been yet alive and could listen; and when Icould not find them, I--God forgive me!-- I believe I struck a dead man'sface.

　　At last I had them. There were but three. Seizing the largest, I felt thelock of the door that led to the cell. I fitted in the key. It was right. Thelock turned. I drew the door close behind me and locked it as noiselesslyas I could, putting the key in my pocket.

　　I found myself at the top of a flight of steep stone stairs. An oil lampburnt dimly in the bracket. I took it down and held it in my hand; and Istood and listened.

　　"What in the devil can it be?" I heard a voice say.

　　It came from behind a door that faced me at the bottom of the stairs.

　　And another answered:

　　"Shall we kill him?"I strained to hear the answer, and could have sobbed with relief whenDetchard's voice came grating and cold:

　　"Wait a bit. There'll be trouble if we strike too soon."There was a moment's silence. Then I heard the bolt of the doorcautiously drawn back. Instantly I put ............