PRISONERS OF THE COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12211, 8 August 1925, Page 20

PRISONERS OF THE COUNCIL

PUBLISHED BY SPE CIAL ARRANGEMENT.

BY

LEWIS RAMSDEN

Author of “The Word of a Somorleigb,” “Red Cavalier,” “My Comrade Frank,” “Under a Kingly Mask,” &c., &«

ICORYRIGHT.J

CHAPTER XXHI.—THE PRJSSI- , DENT’S DILEMMA. Bat Michael had been more watchful than I. He had seen the president’tf movement, and in an instant hia Revolver was wrenched away, and Michael Was coolly placing it in, his own pocket.’ ‘ “,If it were a contest of Wit or intellect. M. le President, I fear I should stand* no- chance against yon,’’ , observe® Michael. “But in this kind of thiilg you stand as little chance against me.” The truth of this assertion must have heea'toO evident to be controverted,: •for the. President did not reply. His face waa perceptibly paler, and he held the Wrist of the hand from which Michael had' wrenched the revolver,and to which a painful twist must have been given. Meanwhile there were sounds, irhioh seemed to indicate that the men were rallying in- the hall, and I wondered what Michael would do newt, for though he had so easily routed them just now, when he had taken them by surprise, 'even he coyld not hope to prevail against that number of armed men when .they should act in concert and under the direction of leaders. Michael most halve heard these sounds, and must no doubt have been fully aware of their meaning, but he seemed to-be in no hurry. “When I spoke about your being of use- taos, M. le President, I meant there was certain information yon would be required to give. I want the addrese of the lady with whom the Countess Helen Fredro is staying, and the address of that man, Count Ivan with “ whom you have leagued youreplf.’i.. . ; ■ I, will not tell you. Nothing shall, make me a traitor to the Cause.’’

The emphasis which the President pat on the word “me” brought the red to Michael’s face. , “It is you and vour colleagues who are. the: traitors. By employing mean ignoble methods you are debasing the Cause you pretend to serve. But since ydu are inclined to be obstinate, I srast use more persusaive means to make, yon answer my questions. Come, M. le President.” Suddenly bending, Michael seized the President, lifting him,from the chair is eamly as an ordinary man would lift a little child, and holding him helpless just as I had once been held in that giant-like grip. Intellect, dignity, and the gifts which go to make a leader off men, I jndged the president to possess; hut there are occasions when even these -qualities cannot avail a man against'physical force, and thiwwas the case now. He made some attempt at indignant expostulation, hut was silenced by: one of those bear-like bugs, the efficacy of which my own experience had taught me. ~ Michael turned to me a face from Which the angry expression had vanish-ed,-and remarked to me with a smile: “I fear this proceeding most remind yon of incident of onr first acquaintance, Travis. Will you be,mod-enough to open toe doorwlor Inef .. Then let ns keep as close together aspossible.” . Aal opened the door leading back into the ante-room it became more dear, from the sound of voioes .from toe hall,- that a concerted attack was being prepared. There were also indications that men were , taking up position outside toe small door by which toe members of the Council had escaped. It seemed as though they were pieparing to come' in upon ua and Ovdcpower ns by their superior-num-bers. o’ * . , - •> ' “You have proved your prowess and your phenomenal strength, Michael; but now the men outside have recovered their surprise I imagine toe -odds may be too great, even for you. Don’t you < think we had better get away by one df these windows while we have ’the' chance?” I suggested. “That would not be so easy as yon think. Those shutters are of won, and securely fastened. But I have a plan. Forgive me if I cannot stop to explain it now. You will see what it .is as we go on. Keep as close to me as you can. I shall he going up those .stairs again. ’ These words we had spoken whilst crossing the ante-room. “Now that door, if you please, said Michael. '“That is, if they have not locked it, which I fancy they; , have.”' They had locked it—until they should ,jbe quite ready, I suppose.

Michael laughed. “Stand hack a little, will you Travis? They seem to forget that 'these ordinary door-fastenings are not, much use.” , He had drawn back himself, and now, holding 4 the helpless president still in his arms, took a little run and brought his foot against the door. It was another wonderful exhibition of strength, for not only'did the door give way before this on £ blow, but took with it some part of the frame as well. The occupants of the hall showed signs of consternation, as well they might. They had evidently been drawn up in some order, but now had fallen.' back in confusion. A couple of them must have been standing too near the door, for they were now crawling away-. I noticed the numbers of the men had been augmented. There must have been more in the house than I had thought. Also 1 observed the chauffeur amongst them, so that the motor-car must have returned. Ail the men were armed, and some of them raised their revolvers; but Michael, having stepped to the foot of the stairs, turned and spoke. “Do not fire, gentlemen! The little noise we may have created already WiU possibly have made some of the London police suspicious. The sound of grin ft would oertainly do so. Besides, you "are more likely to hit our revered chief here than me.” The president, who was being care-fully-handled by Michael as a sort of shield, struggled and attempted to speak, hut a gasp was the only result, for Michael. had put on an extra squeeze. One of the members of the council, standing in the hall, gave a hasty command that none was to fire without orders. Then, ip a somewhat quavering voice, he addressed. Michael: “What is this folly, Michael Kamensky? You have some advantage for the moment; hut. you know you cannot long defy ns/ _ Release the president, and we .promise that you shall go free.” „ , (“Thanks, monsieur, laughed Michael. “But the president and I have already commenced discussing terms, only we wish for a little more privacy, upstairs'. In a few minutes I hope matters will be settled, and I will bring him back to you. If you attempt to follow us, or to interfere, it may be worse for ,you_ and for him. Monsieur Travis will open fire or anyone who may come up the stairs. For. our part we have no particular objection ,to attracting the police.” Still holding the president before him,. Michael retreated backwards steadily but quickly up the first flight of the stairs, and I kept beside him in the same manner. The men below stood irresolute, looking to the members of the ootmcil for instruction, and these were hurriedly debating amongst themselves; Once up the first flight, and out of sight, Michael turned, and, in spite of his burden, went up the remaining flights at a pace which I found it difficult to emulate, so that _ when we reached the now familiar topmost landing J was very nearly out of breath.

We turned along a branching passage, one funning down one side of the strong rooms, and at the end of this passage was a window, which Michael desired me to open. Wondering, I did so, and, peering out, saw that It had the same outlook as the one small window of the room in which Helen and I had been imprisoned. Below must have been a small yard, though this could not be seen, for at night the depth looked unfathomable, au abyss of blackness. And it was shut in by the walls of some projecting portions of the honse and by the high blank wall of some other building. I had not to wait long before I saw what was the, fantastic idea which had brought Michael up to this highest portion of that tall house. He took the struggling president to the open window, and, thrusting him through, held him at arm’s length over the depth. “Now, M. le President,” said Michael. ‘“Give me the information T require, or, by the God above us, I will, let you go to meet the death, or worse than death, which will wait for you below-” \ ■ (To be continued.)