The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-02

dental perhaps, or we will say a custom Of
the country. shook the door, but it was
firm and solid. listened intently at the
crevices. Not sound was to be heard.
And yet-yes-as listened heard from
far below the measured tramp of footsteps
on the stairs. 1t was a ghostly, eerie
sound, muffied and soft, as the footsteps
mounted stage by stage The sound scar
cely increased; footsteps muffled and soft,
and yet with regular, rhythmic beat as if
many were treading kind of military
march. Perhaps 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 landing
just beneath mine, and no doubt passed in
to the room Immediately below After all,
it was perhaps only friendly party who
had come to sup together. Anyhow they
could have nothing to do with me. |
returned to my room, locked the door, and
and took seat by the window, feeling
sense of companionship and security in
the noisy streets, aud the lights from
peoples windows. l think I must have
dozed in my chair, for when 1 reused my
self, the street had become perfectly 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 little sound could penetrate
Then | certainly heard sound, dull, yet
distant, as if a number of people, sitting in
company, had risen simultaneously, slightly
pushing back their chairs. The noise
somehow appalled, me- 1t was as if jury
had risen and were about to deliver their
verdict. But what had that to do with me?
But there was decided stir and move
ment below, and creeping to the door to
listen, surely 1 heard footsteps ascending
the stairs to my landing Not so many
footsteps this time, but still enough. The
door of the staircase was unlocked and
opened cautiously, and footsteps advanced
softly to the door of my chamber. From
my post of observation l could hear the
slow, regular breathing of five or six men,
after which there sounded knock upon
the door, gentle, yet distinct.
"What is your business demanded,
in voice | tried to render firm.
"OuUre=," was beloved forth for answer
The knock was twice repeated; regu-
lar "sommation," in fact-and the delay
gave me the opportunity of hastily piling
some furniture as a barricade; but after the
third summons some one threw himself
heavily against the door. The screws of
the lock gave away, and the door flew open,
scattering my barricade in all directions.
l made for the window with the wild
notion of raising an alarm, when | was
seized, flung down, and knelt upon by half
a-dozen 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 powerful hands, num-
ber of men came forward, one by one, and
examined my features attentively.
They were dark-beared men with
strange, earnest, wistful eyes-not cruel-look-
ing 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 hope
less case. The last of all to pass me in re-
view was one whose face recalled at once
as that of the old serving-man at Cologne.
Then understood what all this meant.
These conspirators mistook me for Count
Loris, the traitor and spy, whom | 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 arri-
val And then this trap had been laid.
But not for me, recognized joyfully,
and cried out with full assurance:
"Ah, you are all mistaken, gentlemen; 1
am not the man you seek. am an En-
glishman. See my passport
To my horror, the only reply was gen
eral plying smile.
awe knew that you would say that, re-
piled one "Ah, that you should have
sunk so low"
Protests, threats, entreaties, were no avail
They did not leave me long in doubt as
to their purpose. Choosing a ponderous
beam with strong hook affixed to it, con-
venient for their purpose, moose was soon
dangling therefrom.
"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"
Short as the journey may be, it is still
dreadful one tremble even now as think
of that moment, and yet, terrible as it was,
1 only sought to prolOng it.
"Give me half an hour to prepare for
DEATH" l begged, eff you insist ON muir
dering me.
1t was acknowledged that the request
was reasonable, and those about me seated
themselves apart, while one or two Of the
humber members of the party knelt down
and repeated prayer or two in Russian.
The time of delay passed away, and
again there was general movement in the
room, as all present rose to their feet.
Just at this moment a rosy streak of
dawn flashed through the windows, light
ing up the whole, grim, fearful scene; a
beam of sunlight stretched athwart the
room, and again, as if inspired by the
morning light, clear, sweet voice from
far below trilled out stanza of the strange,
wild Russian hymn.
at is Olga" I cried: "bring her to me. ,
Said grave voice:
ayes, that is just; they loved each other,
let them bid an eternal adieu.
Then l knew that l was saved, although
heard no more: for, overcome by all the
terrible experiences of the night, all my
perceptions seemed to desert me. When
/ came to myself found that two women
were bending over me, chatting my hands,
bathing my temples, and moistening my
lips with some aromatic cordial.
"He will do now" said the voice of the
elder Russian lady, "Come, Olga, they
are waiting"
'Adieu, whispered Olga, bending over
me- "Forgive US and forget u.s." And
then she softly pressed my forehead with