A QUEEN'S ERROR

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17927, 1 July 1930, Page 3

A QUEEN'S ERROR

OURSERiAL STORY 1

CHAPTER Xn. HELD UP. This hint seemed sufficient for him, for he slid off his horse and rolled away somewhere into the rough ground at the side of the road, leaving Doiores on the horse. Then I saw that she had heen secured to the high pommel of the Spanish saddle by a turn or two of a lasso. We had gone fully three hundred yards more before I caught the horse which galloped away at full speed. Perhaps it was. as well things happened thus, as the robbers were thundering behind, and had I taken the two burdens on one horse, we should, I think, without doubt, have been recaptured. As it was, I lashed both horses .to their fullest speed when I saw Dolores was secure, though evidently in great discomfort, yet it was a matter of life or death or worse. Presently we came in view of the train getting up steam, though it was some distance off, and then a sight burst upon my view In addition which filled me with both joy and astonishment. About ten bicycles ridden by men were coming along the road, the slender spokes of their I wheels glinting in the moonlight. They no sooner saw us than they raised a great shout, and waved their arms; it was then to my great thankfulness I saw the leading cyclist was my cousin at St. Nivel. I felt as if a ton weight of care had been lifted off my shoulders. They made way for us as we came, and St. Nivel shouted to me as we passed through: "Make straight for the train!"

I did as he bid me, and within five minutes had the pleasure of tearing the handkerchief with which she was gagged from my darling's mouth; and before all the assembled passengers kissing her upon the lips as I gave

(By CAPTAIN HENRY CURTIES). Author of "The Blood Bond," "The Idol of the King" "Tears of Angels," "The Queen's Gate Mystery," "Out of the Shadows" etc.

her insensible into the arms of her J aunt. \ J I think I had earned those kisses. CHAPTER XIII. ! DON JUAN D'ALTA. i No sooner had we passed through the cyclists than they formed across the road and, dismounting, took up positions behind any cover which they discovered in the rough ground. To my astonishment they unstrapped rifles from their machines, and as soon as the robbers appeared in pursuit greeted them with a rapid fire evidently from magazines. I saw several saddles emptied as they turned and rode off. A few minutes after St. Nivel and his friends rejoined us. "That was a lucky thought of mine," he said, laughing, when he had gripped my hand and congratulated me on our escape. I remembered seeing the bicycles being put into the train at Monte Video, and the magazine rifles of course were in the guard's van, and ought to have been used when the robbers attacked us, but they came too suddenly and there was no time to get them. From that time forward tilings went easily enough; steam was soon up, and we were away again to Valoro within half an hour. At the next station a special restaurant car was attached; we were treated like heroes, sitting amid the popping of champagne corks relating our adventures, and this went on long after the morning had broken.

But I, tired out, soon sought my bed in the sleeping car, but not before I had been assured at the door of the '--'"'"■' ~ar. by Mrs Darbyshire, now all tears and smiles, that Dolores had regained consciousness, and was unhurt save for bruises and, of course, a severe shock.

I slept, until within half an hour of our running into Valoro station late in the afternoon, and just had time to have a delicious bath and emerge fresh and hungry into the restaurant car in which St. Nivel, Lady Ethel and Dolores, looking very pale and ill, were just finishing lunch. My (To be continued daily.)