Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-02-07
The Landlord, who had returned

while two rough looking hostlers took
charge of the carriage. The outriders
stabbed their own animals.
The Captain had observed all that
passed with an attentive eye. He had
expected a much larger escort. The
lady was without a maid, and the
Baron had but five attendants, and
yet the landlord told him there was
no accommodation. There was some
thing wrong.
The Baron came from the hostelry
followed by Bonita, bearing a fresh
flask of Rhenish.
"Good evening, Captain" he said
-courteously, touching his plumed bea-
yer with graceful action which be-
spoke the finished cavalier; ;. "perhaps
yeu will do me the favor to drink this
flask of Rhenish wine with me-"
"With all my heart" answered the
Captain cheerfully; "mine is empty"
The Baron seated himself on the
bench, and Bonita placed the flask
and cups before them.
"Stay" cried the Captain as she
was going; chow many monks are
there in yonder convent, my pretty
Bonita ?"
Twenty, I think, Captain" she
answered.
Thank you; that will do"
She went into the house. The Bar
on regarded the Captain attentively.
His question about the monks seemed
to surprise him.
DO you think of retiring from the
world, Captain" he laughingly inquir-
ed, "and taking up your abode in mon
astery p
"Tfaith, not l." He filled the cups
in that careless, of-handed manner
which pervaded everything he did, and
raised his to his lips. Your health
Baron Ravensburg."
"YOu have the advantage Of me, P"
answered Ravensburg, as he respond
ed to the toast.
"Oh! call me Captain Bernard" "
Il passed dead horse on the road.
The landlord tells me it was yours.
| also saw the bodies of the men slain
by you. A narrow escape, Captain.
By the way are you in the Imperial
service ?"
Il am not. To be frank with you,
my sword is at present at liberty"
Then take service with me. There
is something in your appearance that
bespeaks the gentleman and the sol
dier, and | like you. There is a
Majority vacant in my regiment which
| can promise you"
"On my word, Baron, returned the
CAPTAIN, onaili,,5 SUVu hunUIeuly -
"you do me much honor on so brief
an acquaintance; but we are likely
to serve together in sharp campaign
which is nearer than you imagine.
Whether you OF | shall take direction
of the affair depends upon yourself
after you have heard what | have to
tell YOU
in heavens name what do you
mean ?" exclaimed Baron Ravensburg
in aStonishment.
>SoftIy-in a whisper-there may
be long ears about US. In word we
are in den OF cut throats. Yonder
old monastery is occupied by band
of robbers in the disguise of monks
The landlord of this hostelry is in
league with them. They have been
apprised ofyour coming, and will eth
er attack you here, or tomorrow
upon the desoIate road beyond. As
they know that | am here, from the
landlord, and may warn you, | should
not be surprised if they assailed us
here tonight"
Great Heavens my poor Adalia
care not if can save her. Twent,
of them the girl said-and | have bu
five men-twenty against six!
t'Excuse me; your calculation is er
roneous. There are but Is agains
seven. You counted two who ar,
killed and you have not counted me.
"You will aid me then. My dea
Captain, this is generous"
"My dear Baron it is nothing Q
the kind. | merely enter into an a
lance with you for our mutual benefit
and as you have the strongest part
the advantage is decidedly upon N
side. You they might possibly plul
der and suffer to depart, but me the
, would certainly kill in revenge fo
their comrads' Slaughter
Captain, place the direction {
this affair in your hands-myself an
people are at your orders. What
the best course of action"
"Invite me to supper with you whe
2 the landlord announces that it is ser
D ed. | will secure him. Then yol
people must secure the hostlers al
y put them in a safe place. Then &C
u lect your whole force into the hou
and let us barricade it to the best
e our ability. Eighteen men will fiji
J it difficult to dislodge seven, even o
of this small wooden frame work.
e Having deprived the robbers of ;
l. means of obtaining information in !
5. gard to our plans, | will make t
e landlord divulge theirs. You ha
e no idea what very persuasive way
r have"
IS This plan was carried out to the
in ter, and a pistol held by the firm ha
of the Captain at the head of the G,
W ty and trembling landlord compel
bt him to divulge all. The Baron a
o his sister were to be held for a r;
ID som, and the Captain killed, he ]
re Aeing considered worth ransc
When all had retired to rest the la
70 lord was to admit the robbers into
d hostelry.
"a The captain laid his plans at on