ith her whip to further accelerate his speed.

She was still some hundred paces from the two men, and she was about
passing before them. Lucan was preparing to leap to the other side of the
bank, when the hand of Monsieur de Moras fell violently upon his arm and
held him back--firmly.

They looked at each other. Lucan was amazed at the profound alteration
that had suddenly contracted the count's features and sunken his eyes; he
read at the same time in his fixed gaze an immense sorrow, but also an
immovable resolve. He understood that there was no longer any secret
between them. He yielded to that glance, which, so far as he was
concerned--he felt sure of that--conveyed nothing but an expression of
confidence and friendly supplication. He grasped his friend's hand within
his own and remained motionless. The horse shot by within a few steps of
them, his flanks white with foam, while Julia, beautiful, graceful, and
charming still in that terrible moment, sat lightly upon the saddle.

Within a few feet of the edge of the cliff, the horse, scenting the
danger, shied violently and wheeled around in a semi-circle. She led him
back upon the plateau, and, urging him both with whip and voice, she
started him again toward the yawning chasm.

Lucan felt Monsieur de Moras' nails cutting into his flesh. At last the
horse was conquered; the ground gave way under his hind feet, which only
met the vacant space. He fell backward; his fore legs pawed the air
convulsively.

The next moment the plateau was empty. No sound had been heard. In that
deep chasm the fall had been noiseless and death instantaneous.

[THE END.]

THE STORY OF A FIGHT FOR A THRONE

D'Artagnan, the King Maker

By ALEXANDRE DUMAS.

Written originally by Dumas as a play, and now for the
first time novelized and translated into English.

_The Philadelphia Enquirer says_:

"A pretty love story in which the debonair
cavalier falls victim to Cupid's wiles is one
of the interesting threads running through
the book."

_The Chicago Record-Herald says_:

"It is singular that this bit of romance
has been suffered to remain hidden away
for so long a time. D'Artagnan's manner
of winning the hermit kingdom contains
enough thrills to repay a careful reading.
The story oozes adventure at every chapter."

_The Brooklyn Eagle says_:

"It is a strong tale brimful of incident
from the moment when Cardinal Richelieu
dispatches the redoubtable D'Artagnan