The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-15

ba1y" tn. Yuls Log" " Paihp Of Luteiiao &c
CHAP. XXvI-Concluded.
Better not to run that risk" gasped the
| attorney; the other way is the safest"
Perhaps!" growled Mark.
1t is agreed, them" said his companion.
mean that, Mister Attorney" Joined Ave
| ling, bitterly; "but you have not told me yet
how am going to get back the money hand
ed over to you, or the papers you know of. 1t
| was bargain between US, and you have not
| only cheated me out of my property, and out of
my revenge, but you have brought me here.
What have you to say to that?"
81 have to say meant honestly" retorted
! the attorney, deadly pale with agitation; for
| Marks resolute manner, and the singularly
| malicious expression of his countenance,
| unnerved him. You ought not to make me
responsible for the treachery of my servants,
| nor to expect me to guard against danger you
yourself cannot, now you know the facts of the
case, but regard as having been almost an
! impossible contingency. But this is not the
moment for explanations. Let us rather direct
our energies to saving ourselves from the fate
in store for u.s."
Z" Hark you, now, Mister Pelligrini," retorted
Mark, setting his teeth hard together. 81 am
not afraid of anything the law can do to me-
| for take it that it will be hard to prove much
against me. / am an American citizen; and if
our ambassador will not demand redress for
this insult and injury, when call on him to do
so, will see whether l cannot put my finger
on man that will demand it in the name of
the country belong to. Ny case is different
from yours; and, from what | know of you.
should not be at all surprised to find you have
good reasons for wanting to get away, not only
from this Internal hole, but out of the country
altogether. What is more, tell you candidly,
that if did not want to get away myself, |
would not help you; that's a fact. However,
there's no use in talking about my grievances
against you, now iI0V- yo,- s'y, ,.rd
get out of this, and ,may be we may meet vet,
and settle our accounts together, in way that's
pleasant There is one thing, however, / must
have, and that is money; at least, enough to
enable me to get out of the country. You will
give me what you have about you, / suppose"
Willingly" answered the attorney. "Once
out Of this place, have resources in Paris
which are Immediately available. Here is my
purse. You will find in it some twenty or thir-
ty napoleons."
"Part of what paid you the other night"
| retorted Mark, taking the purse. "Very well.
| will look upon it as an instalment. With
what / have, shall be able to manage pretty
vol. 1t is lucky, too, that had made all my
arrangements for leaving the country, so my
passport is ready, only it is at home. However,
| must risk something, [ suppose. And now
for the plan"
They sat down to talk it over, and the more
they considered it, the more feasible it appear
ed until at last they felt as though it had been
accomplished successfully and they we're
already outside Of the prison. The turnkey look
ed in twice or thrice, and before evening came
to the conclusion that they were decidedly very
liberal fellows he even hoped, in secret, that
they might be detained there for an indefinite
period, if their payments should continue on
the same generous scale, though, in hob-nob-
bling with them he assured them nothing would
afford him greater pleasure than to learn Of their
discharge from his custody. When he closed
the door upon them for the night, he expressed
a hope that they would sleep well, and promised
faithfully to bring them each a cup of cats-au-
lat and roll, the first thing in the morning;
for which both the prisoners thanked him.
Whether they had nothing further to talk
about, or that they we're too much occupied
with maturing their plans for evading the po-
lice, once clear of the prison, one thing is GER
tain, namely, that neither of the prisoners spoke
for long, long time, after the turnkey had
withdrawn. Perhaps two hours had elapsed,
yet the silence remained unbroken; except
only that, during the chief part of the latter por-
II
slight sound, like Kissing, which came from
the window where Mark had taken up his posi-
ton.
sinister Attorney" said Mark, suddenly, call
ing to Gaetano, "the bars are cut through,
and | can take out the window when like"
Gaetano was at his side in moment. To-
gether, and without exchanging a word they
removed the three iron bars, and then, with a
very slight effort, took out the frame, bodily,
which hold the window-panes, and deposited it
against the wall.
"The moon is hidden behind the clouds,
muttered Martin, "and everything appears
quiet"
"Good /" was the rejoinder. "Can you see
out below, upon the quay?"
"Not till get through these bars, can't"
retorted Mark.
Resolutely, then. and as noiselessly as posi-
BILE, he recommended saving, and in less than
half an hour the outer bars yielded, and were
removed. Then Mark peeped out He drew
in his head, almost Immediately, and uttering
an oath, exclaimed:
"The sentinel is almost under us. If had
a rope could lassoo and string him up"
"There is strong wind blowing" remarked
Gaetano "and it blows towards us. We must
make the attempt, now we have commenced it,
or our last hope is gone. Let me look out"
Mark made way for him, and the attorney
cautiously thrust his head out, and took sur
vey. In few minutes he drew in again.
There is no gutter-pipe close enough for us
to lay hold Off he said; "but can nearly
touch the irongutter overhead. By standing
on the sill, / could easily grasp it, by good
effort. But what will you do, Monsieur Ave
ling2 You are not tall enough to do the same
thing"
Only give me room enough to stand upon,
and place to spring to" retorted Mark, Sand
if it is not more than four feet off the ground,
I'll stake my head on reaching it."
Judge for YOURSELF" calculated Gaetano,
making way for Mark
g 1t is ticklish," said he, after examining the
height, "for if you miss your hold, it's good
pitch, perpendicular especially" he added, af.
ter a pause, ii you should happen to go down
head first"
For some reason, though he could not ac-
count for it, a strange feeling of dread came
over the attorney. 1t was like cold chill. His