The morning call., 1892-11-13
CHAPTER VII.

Ohh
Upon Frik's return to the village, a little
after MONDAY, he was anxiously questioned
for news of the two men. He had seen
nothing of them. Two o'clock came, and
although every one was straining his eyes
TO catch tho first sight of Potak and the
brave forester, yet there was no sign of
them: The village tavern was quite aban-
doned. The superstitious souls were
willing TO accord ears to walls, but their
having mouths was little more than they
could bear. Ii looked to old Jonas as if
his business had been ruined, and with the
hope of still solving the mystery he had
spent the whole morning hunting under
beds and In closets and cupbOards. His
search had only served to make the mystery
more mysterious.
And Door MriOta-what shall be said OF
herr She had borne up bravely all the
afternoon. but when night came and her
lover failed TO return she found herself the
prey 20 the gloomiest forebodings. Pos
sioly Nick had been captured by the evil
spirits that haunted the old castle. Nay,
worse than that, he might even that
moment be thrust into some underground
cell, nosome with dampness and mlldew,
where he must soon die horrible death !
What night was that for the fair maid of
Werst whom of late everybody had been
envyiDg! 1t had been agreed that at day.
break Erik, the herdsman, should make a
search for the two men in the direction of
the Orgall plateau. The whole village, old
and young, now turned out to meet him.
many OF them advancing mile or so 10 get
the hrst news. Alas! be brought the same
tidlnGs AS yesterday. He had not fallen In
with living soul.
by o'clock there was no sight OF them
The villagers were now thoroughly alarmed
ana under the guidance OF Justice Koltz a
meeting was held and a call made for volun-
teers Tor relief party. KoltZ himself, Jonas
the innkeeper, aud old Erik, the herdsman,
announced their willingness 10 set out in
search of the lost men. BY 9 they were
already under way, following up the route
That Nick and the doctor would be most
likely to take in case they were on their
pected back until toward nightfall at the
very earliest; but the anxious Miriota could
not bring herself TO await their return
calmly beneath her fathers roof. With
the swift feet of child of the
mountains she sped along after them and
about O'Clock had the iDexpressible Joy of
catching glimpse of the relief marty on its
way down the mountain road. There was
fourth one with them, but the fifth, Nick.
oh. where was he? AS If aided by invis-
lble wings Miriota swept along the highway.
Nick was stretched upon a rude litter
on, he is dead. he is deadi" burst from
Miriota's lips.
NO. be is not dead" replied Potak,
'tnt he deserves to be, and so do l."
NICK Oh, my poor Nickl" cried the
'Only little weary, dear Wirota." he
murmured. .Pll be all we'll in day or
so. ne added. family, with you to take
care OF me. dearest"
The relief party reported that after an
ordinary climb they had come upon the two
men. and not moment too soon for Nick's
safety, for he had fallen 10 the ground ut
terly unable to walk q step farther. A lit
ter had Teen hastily made and the injured
man tenderiy laid upon It. Potak himself
was scarcely able to drag one foot after
another. He was so dazed by his terrible
experiences under the walls OF the old castle
that Tor several hours the villagers were
unaoie 10 draw from him a connected story
OF their adventures. But gradually his
mind cleared. and with the excusable
IuIlest detail the story Of their attack-or
ours, as he called it-upon the haunted
castle Of the Carpathians.
when Nick's head fell back" Potak
continued, "and he gave that terrible cry of
pain thought all was over. But no; Nick
maze superhuman effort and saved him.
sell from falling. And yet 1t was fan,
lot with lightning-like speed he let him self
slip down the chain, and stopping at the
oottom OIL the moat rolled over conscious
amld the poisonous growth of reeds and
vines. In an instant was by his side. NV
Instructive devotion to the safety of human
lie made my heart strong and knotted my
muscles Tor q battle with the chort himself.
ii necessary. 1 braved the whole murderous
gang. loosened Nick's neckcioth, l raised
his head. so set my canteen to his lips,
and with the first sign OF returning
NE. l encircled him with my arm, half
lifted him to his feet and dragged him fir ON
that awful hole, up and ont into the suu-
light on ths slope of the counterscarp.
Here l stretched him out. rubbed him.
DatDed him with cold water. took my time.
TOO. although We were within pstol-shot OF
the castle battlements. After an hour he
had sufficiently recovered 10 make start
Tor home. But he broke down at last where
you found us. There. now you know the
whole story. Without my attendance Nick
Deck would now be lying stone dead at the
bottom OF the meat of that old barrack UP
yonder."
AT these words the villagers applauded
long and loud, and Koltz promised the val
liant doctor fat fee for his devotion to the
young forester. provided" added the JUS