Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-21

crOuched and held MS breath, ana by Soou
fortune escaped detection. Rant held in
his hand lighted torch, which he raised
above his head he walked in almost every
direction but the one in which the intruder
lay concealed; Bertha kept close to the
hunchback's side.
81 see nothing" said Ranf; but the
voice heard was human.
"There are spirits, whispered Bertha.
"They do not speak, said Rant. You
seem afraid"
81 am frightened of shadows
"We will go in, then. Do not tremble !;
there is nothing to fear And together
they re-entered the house.
The man breathed more freely, and the
fear of detection gone, he determined not
to depart until he had to some extent sat-
isfied his curiosity. 1t was not possible to
obtain satisfactory view until there was
light in the sky; he would wait /; the
moon would rise in an hour.
Gradually the light crept over the
grounds, and the man was filed with
wonder at the beauty by which he was
surrounded. The loveliest flower were
blooming, fountains were playing, and
marble statues, partly concealed by the
foliage, were strangely touched by the
moons light.
"No wonder 1 thought it was living
FORM" he muttered.
His idle curiosity grew into fever.
This foretaste of wonders filled him with a
burning desire for further discovery. He
approached closer to the house, forgetting
that the moon was full upon him. Sud-
denly the door opened, and Rant appeared
on the Threshold. The man stood still
as stone as the hunchback slowly ap.
preached him.
"Your business ?" demanded tine bunch.
back, in a low tone.
The man was too terrified to reply.
"Your business cried Rant again,
and, no answer being given, stepped swiftly
into the house, and reappeared, holding by
the collar dog quite three feet in hight,
and of breed strange to the Silver Isle.
81 have but to move my finger" said
Rant, "and you would be torn to pieces.
Answer, and answer quickly. Are you
alone!"
eyes"
"Your business, them" for the third
time demanded Ranf.
81 have none"
What brought you here?'
Curiosity
sis it satisfied ?"
"Quit,. Once | get safe out of this
place, you may depend l shall never set
foot in it again"
81 warn you to keep your word. Twill
show you an easy way out of my grounds.
Walk before me"
The man was about to obey, when Ranf
noticed a sudden light in his eyes, which
were directed towards the portal. Turn
ing, to ascertain what had caused this flash
of newly. awakened intelligence, Rant saw
that Bertha was standing on the Threshold.
A peculiar smile crossed the hunchback's
lips as he looked again at the intruder.
How long have you been in my
grounds"
For txyc or fhraa houro -
"Ah, you were here before the moon
rose, when l came out with lighted torch
in my hand.
81 was"
''And the woman who stands there was
by my side"
Eyes"
"How did you gain admittance here!"
81 followed the woman"
cit was manly action. You seem sur.
prised to see her here"
My looks express my thoughts. "
Perhaps you would like to speak to
her"
81 have no wish"
"Were you sent here?
"No."
sit was mere idle curiosity that brought
you?"
eyes"
You are singularly fascinated by the
woman there. What attracts you in her."
"She is dressed strangely"
But with taste; admit that"
If it pleases you to admit it, do SO"
And having stolen here from idle curl
osity, you have made discovery"
eyes,"
"Does any person besides ourselves
know Of your intrusion here tonight"
NO one. u
The hunchback's eyes searched his soul.
" You speak the truth. Do you not see
the peril in which you stand: You have
made discovery which you intend to use
to my prejudice. Do not attempt to deny
it"
81 do not deny it; as for its being to
your prejudice, that is as it may turn out. %
Exactly. But the jury are impaneled
and the judge is sitting. 1t has been so
for years. Nay, the very verdict
Guilty lis on their tongue, no evidence
being required. OF what good action
could hunchback be capable? You are
in peril, say"
81 am no longer afraid" said the man,
who was not really coward. eve are
man and man."
You do me the justice to believe that
1 would not use the strength of this animal
against you: You are truly gracious. We
are, as you say, man and man-and thank
You again for putting me on level with
yourself. But in the inference you draw,
you would find yourself grievously in error.
/ have the strength of four such men as
you. could kill you where you stand,
and none would be the wiser"
With sudden movement, the hunch-
back clasped the mans body, so that he
could not move limb, and raised him high
above his head as suddenly he released
the man, and set him safely down.
81 give you your life, without condi-
lions. Use your discovery. Now, walk