Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-03

| ing their way, they hurried through the
cavern, and in an hours time came to its
opening along the bank of the Tyber.
But how are We to reach the palace in
daylight?" inquired Aggeus.
'By the aid of these things" replied
his companion, as he drew from their place
of concealment several pieces Of Turkish
wearing apparel, much torn and soiled.
They we:e soon clothed in tho garments,
and each armed with keen dagger, sup
mes, they silently issued from the tunnel, !,
and gained the street. They traversed,
without danger, the different ways, and
had reached the front of the palace, when
| the noise of distant commotion arrested
their steps, and ere long an excited crowd
rushed towards the palace, with the cry,
"Aggeus has escaped ~
| "The ours, muttered that parsonage
to his companion. "We shall have to be
watchful.. The best thing is to mingle
with the crowd.''
SOsthenes Ivuueu assent, and they joined
the mob with equal clamors. The throng
pressed to the palace, and soon the two
Greeks found themselves, with many
others, within tho vestibule. At that
instant the cry of "The guards! was
heard, and q moment later a legion of SOL
diers were amongst the excited people,
forcing them from the palace, to the street.
| Aggeus was about to follow the crowd,
when he felt his arm clutched, and turn
ing he saw his companion point to door
way, before which hung heavy folds of
tinted velvet.
"We will remain in this place, and may
escape detection by going in there,
whispered Sosthenes, hurriedly.
They were quickly behind the velvet
screen, and discovered themselves in a
small apartment, from the end of which
a narrow stairway assembled, that being
the only means of egress from q place, in
which their liability of capture de-
termined their actions. 1t was but the
work of a minute to mount the stairway,
find themselves in a long passage, the ter
minus of which they discover leads into
apartments designed for the occupancy of
the emperial servants.
1T is not safe to 90 there, - whispered
Sosthcnes, as they halt.
"NOr safe to remain here, returned
the gladiator.
Aggeus retraces the passage few yards,
and suddenly uttcrS a low exclamation,
which brings his companion to his side.
"See," exclaimed tho former; )" we
have passed another entrance. Hero is a
way leading from this hall" " pointing to
a low doorway, screened by folds of velvet.
SOstheneS followed the motion, and OK
claimed:
"By Jupiter, these Roman emperors
have passages everywhere in their pal
aces. We will enter this perchance it
will lead us in tho right direction. But
| u,a ,nuct ha Si1npt and c,utiOuS and NAV
AngerOna attend US.
Slowly he moved aside the screen, and
they saw, to their great satisfaction and
surprise, not an open apartment, light and
with occupants, but a narrow way, dark,
but for an open entrance, about the MID
die of it, into another apartment. 81.
lently they enter, traverse this way, until
they draw near the entrance mentioned,
when they halt.
"Let us decide, before we 60 further,
what course to pursue, said SOsthenes.
"We must pass that open doorway. In SO
doing, we may be observed by persons in
the room into which it leads, or. what is
still worse, it may be guarded. "
"But to where do you think this pas
sage We are in will conduct us?" asked
Aggeus. i,
"IntO more prominent part of the pal
ace, perhaps, answered the young Greek
"and in that case, We are sure to be dis
covered and captured.
It was not, however, feasible or safe te
remain where they We're, and the two
Greeks were compelled to proceed, no mat
ter what further events would be devel
opcd. With their hands upon the hilts o.
their daggels, they nOiselessly moved for
ward, and were almost abreast of the
dreaded doorway, when Aggeus, who ha6
taken the lead, suddenly stopped and
pointed to tho entrance and SOsthene:
saw the shadow of two armed guards at
either side Of the door. Too near to dan
ger, and perhaps to death, tho Greeks
read determination and purpose in eacf
others eyes, and then glided toward tho
!. sentinels. They could only surmise that
there were but two to encounter. but the
old Grecian blood flowed in their veins
; their cause was honor, aud death alone
could end the attempt. They crept on :
minute longer, then, with the bound Of B.:
panther, each sprang upon his man, ever
as the challenge issued from tho guards
lips. Sosthenes felt the sharp point of :
lance pierce his arm, but he tore th'
weapon from the Romans grasp, and th'
Greeks dagger sank to his heart. FORTUNE
still more favored tho gladiator, who's
onset was so fierce and successful, tha
the sentinel had not time to use his lance
and fell, in an instant, to the floor. Bu
ere tho Greeks could exchange words
they heard quick steps behind them, anG
turning, found themselves in deadly en-
counter with two other guards. All un
prepared for this new attack, they nigh
have succumbcd to the agility Of thei
now antagonists, when shouts were heard
in the distance, and Roman tribun,
dashed into the apartment, and drawing :
dagger, plunged it into the breast o
Sosthenes' foe. The gladiator's strength
and training again Won him his victory
"Follow me, exclaimed the tribune
81 know you you are here to rescue thu
Grecian girl to revenge my wrongs
The palace is alarmed, aud we dare moi
remain here. I know where we can bt
concealed until night, then accomplish ou1
purposes.
AS the tribune spoke, he rushed toward.
the end Of the passage, closely followed
by the two Greeks. On through stately
room, into another passage, through that
to a flight Of stairs, leading downward, in.
to 4 chilly, underground passage, and into
dark apartment, the heavy doors of which
their guide closed, as tho yells of tho sol
diers echoed to their cars.
"Safe thank the gods, " exclaimed the
tribune, as he rested against the wall OF
the dungeon.
"Safe, " echoed Sosthenes. eve can.
not be safe here. The people of the pal
ace, forsooth, know of this place, and will