The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-30

| second OF TWO swinging mFSelE towards {
/ sill. flung myself of and, touching tie leag
with one toe pitched forward into the roon
The effect Of this was 20 give me- q sour
crack as struck the flooring. which II
about q foot below the level OF the sill.
picked myself up and listened Outside. Il
regular tramp Of the sentry proved he Ia
not heard me; ana I drew q long breath, 70
! l knew that without lantern Re would nevs
spy, in the darkness. the teIrale rope dang
| ling from the tower.
In the room where | stood all was RICH.
! But the flooring was uneven 10 the foot. and
scattered with small pieces OF masonry
! Twas one OF the many chambers in the castle
| that had dropped into disrepair Cropping
| NY way with both hands. and barking nv
| shins on the loose stones, I found low vault
! ed passage that led me into a second cham
| Der, empty as the first TIE my delight. the
! door Of this was ajar with a glimnler of
| light slanring through the crack made
| straight towards it, and pulled the door
| softly. IL opened, and showed a lantern
! dimly burning, and the staircase Of the keep
winding past me, up into darkness.
NY chance was, Of course. 70 descend
which I did on tiptoe. bearing no sound. The
| stairs twisted down and down, and ended by
A stout door with another lamp shining above
| il. After listening a moment I decided TO be
bold and lifted the latch. a faint cry sa-
| luted me
stood face 10 face with the jailor's daugh-
ter
The room was a small one. we'll lit, and
lined about the walls with cups and bottles
Twas, as guessed, u tap room for the sol
diers; and the cir! mad been securing one Of
the pewter mugs when my entrance startled
her. She stood Up, white as if painted, and
gasped:
"Quick-quicll Down here behind the
counter for your hfet"
There was scarce time 70 drop on myk knees
before a couple of troopers lounged in, de
handing mulled beer The girl hustled
about to serve them, while the pair leaned
their elbows or the counter, and in this easy
attitude began 10 chat
"a shrewd night"
Gay, very freezing frostl Lucky that
soldering is not all sentry work, or for one
'ud ensue my natural trade o. plumbing But
let's be cheerful, for the voice O. the turtle il
heard i the land"
"Heyl"
The man took pull at his hot beer before
explaining
The turtle signifeth the Earl o. Stamford,
that is tonight visiting Col Essex in secret;
an this is the import-war, bloody war;
Mark me-
STIRRING, striving times"
''You may say sol y hath fifteen thou
sand men, the earl no farther of than Taun-
ton-why, my dear, how pale you look, to be
sure!n
TITS my head that aches" answered the
girl.
q IL 1
out. l crept from under the counter and
looked at her.
"Fatherll kill me for thisr'
Then you shall say: Is it forward or back
| must gog"
Neither" She pulled up trap close be-
side her feet and pointed out a ladder leading
down to the darkness. The courts are full
Of troopers" she added.
THE cellar?'
She nodded
Quick! There's a door al the far end. 1t
leads to the crypt of St Johns chapel You'll
find the key beside it and lantern. Here IS
flint and steel" She reached them down
from a shelf beside her. Crouch down, or
they'll spy you through the window From
the crypt passage takes you to the COVER
nor's house. How TO escape then, God knows!
IT'S the best l can think on"
| thanked her and began 10 step down ths
ladder She stood for moment 70 watch,
leaving the trap open for better light. Be
tween the avenue of casks and bins L STUN
bled towards the door and lantern that were
just TO be discerned at the far end of the cell
lar As | struck steel on flint l heard the
trap close, and since then have never set eyes
on that kind hearted girl
The lantern lit, | took the KEY and fitted il
to the lock. IL turned noisily and cold
Whit of air struck my face. Gazing round
this new chamber | saw two lines of squat
pillars, supporting low, arched roof. Twas
the crypt beneath the chapel, and smelt vilely.
A green moisture trickled down the pillars,
and dripped on the tombs beneath them.
At the end of this dreary place was broken
door, consisting only Of plank or two, that
l easily pulled away; and beyond, a narrow
passage, over which ] heard the tread Of
troopers plainly, as they paced to and fro;
also the muffied note Of the clock, sounding !.
The passage went fairly straight. but was
blocked here and there with fallen stones,
over which | scrambled as best could. Ard
then, suddenly / was near pitching down a
short flight OF steps. 1 held the lantern alofJ
and looked.
At the steps foot widened out low room.
whereof the ceiling. like that OF the crypt,
rested on pillars Between these every inch
of space wss piled with barrels, chests and
great pyramids Of round shot In each cor
Her lay heap OF rusty pixies. OF all this the
Specification was clear. stood in the NUM-
ton room of the castle
But what chiefly took my notice was =
great door, studded with iron nails, that
barred all exit from the place. Over the
barrels / creps towards it, keeping tue Ian :
tern high. in dread Of firing any loose pow
Ger. Twas fast locked
| think that, for moment Or two ! could {
have weut But in a while the thought struck /.
me that with the knife in my pocket twas
possible 70 cut away the wood around the I.
lock. Courage" said I, and, pulling Il 1
forth, kneiE down 70 work
Luck in life Ess always used NE better than /.
nv deserts. At an hours end there I was. 4
hacking away steadily. yet had made but .
little progress And tEe7, pressing the knife .
deep, I broke the blade of short The door F.
upon the far SIDE was cased with iron.
Tramp tramp,
Twas the sound Of mans football. and % /
the ear appeared 70 os descending a hIza; u .
steps on the ocaer side Of the door. I oel- .
uly sar 20 the kayaols, taen stepped 70
cask Of bullets scat stood handy by. ! too
ont p dozen. r.: in ny poc@et Tor Delias kor-
chief that SIC had given IRE, caught 10 q P-.a .
from the p..e sacked in tie corner, AID,
softly blowing Gus Ey iiEEt, s1cot back 70 - .
concealed by the door when it opened.
TIE footsteps st.4 descen1ei I heard az
aged voice uage-eTI1F:
''Shrirs. ny bones-ucE. ughi Wl-try
vvork-w.utry wcr1l Here, 81 hour 70 seui .
a graEdtatheriy o.aH a-grop.ng FOR a ksg o
r0-xrs-FT