“No; I shall stay with you and—her,” firmly replied the man.
Even as Abershaw spoke their pursuers dashed up.
“Ah, here you are, you demon. Yield!” thundered the foremost soldier, dismounting.
“I yield,” gently replied the Free Sword.
Colonel Rosenthal rode up, attended by his staff, among whom was Wing—Wing, his adjutant, with the first lieutenant’s straps upon his shoulders.
“You are a prisoner, Colonel Corsoni. Deliver up your sword,” said Justin, gravely, as he dismounted.—“My God!”
This last exclamation was struck from his lips by the sight of Alberta’s dead body in the arms of her heart-broken husband.
And the most inveterate pursuers of the Free Sword were now gathered around him with looks of pity in their warworn faces.
Colonel Rosenthal lifted his hand, and silently waved these men away.
And all retired except Adjutant Wing.