The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-04-14

and soft, and yet with a regular, rhythmic beat, as if many were tread ing kind of military march. Per- haps they were ghosts after all-the burgher guard out of some old picture marching to supper in their former quarters, or Rembrandt's night watch, who had stepped boldly out of the canvas.
 The footsteps stopped at the land ing just beneath mine, and no doubt passed into the room immediately be- low. After all, it was perhaps only friendly party who had come to sup together. Anyhow, they could have nothing to do with me. I returned to my room, locked the door, and took seat by the window, feeling sense of companionship and security in the noisy street, and the lights from peo- ple's windows. think I must have dozed in my chair, for when I reused myself, the street had become per- fectly quiet, lights had gone out, and the whole city seemed to sleep.
 Three o'clock rang out, most dismal and depressing of all the short hours. l could hear no movement in the floor below; but then the timbers and beams were thick and strong, and lit tie sound could penetrate. Then I suddenly heard sound, dull, yet dis tant, as if number of people, sitting in company, had risen simultaneously, slightly pushing back their chairs. The noise somewhat appalled, me. It was as if jury had risen and were about to deliver their verdict. But what had that to do with me?
 But there was a decided stir and movement below, and creeping to the door to listen, surely I heard footsteps ascending the stairs to my landing. Not so many footsteps this time, but still enough. The door of the stair case was unlocked and opened cau- tionsly, and footsteps advanced softly to the door of my chamber. From my post of observation I could hear the slow, regular breathing of five or six men, after which there sounded knock upon the door, gentle, yet dis tinct.
 "What is your business?" I de- manded, in voice I tried to render firm.
 "Ouurez," was beloved forth for sole answer.
 The knock was twice repeated; regular "somnation," in fact-and the delay gave me the opportunity of hastily piling some furniture as bar ricade; but after the third summons some one threw himself heavily against the door. The screws of the lock gave way, and the door flew open, scattering my barricade in all direc- tions. I made for the window with the wild notion of raising an alarm. when was seized, flung down, and knelt upon by half-a-doze men.
 But, after the first attack, no further violence was used than was necessary to secure me. A lamp was brought into the room, and while held in the chair by two or three pairs of power ful hands, number of men came for ward, one by one, and examined my features attentively.
 They were dark bearded men with strange, earnest, wistful eyes-not cruel looking men, but rather tender and humane, you would have said but they all shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders as they passed by, as if to say that here was a hopeless case. The last of all to pass me in review was one whose face l re- called at once as that of the old serv- ing man at Cologne.
 Then l understood what all this meant. These conspirators mistook me for Count Loris, the traitor and spy, whom I was said to resemble SO much. This man from Cologne had no doubt come on by rail in much less time than the steamer had taken, and had prepared his friends for my ar- rival. And then this trap had been laid.
 But not for me, recognized joy fully, and cried out with full assur- ance:
 "Ah, you are all mistaken, gentle men; l am not the man you seek. I am an Englishman. See my pass port"
 To my horror, the only reply was general pitying smile.
 "We knew that you would say that" replied one. "Ah, that you should have sunk so low"
 Protests, threats, entreaties, all were of no avail.
 They did not leave me long in doubt as to their purpose. Choosing pom derous beam with a strong hook affixed to 1t, convenient for their pur- pose, a moose was soon dangling there from.
 Courage, my friend," cried one of the men who held me, feeling that my frame trembled. "Courage, it is but short journey, and will soon be over."