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

Will result III nuulnQ the village OF WerSt
on the map. There was only one street in
it, and probably not more than 500 people
and say, sixty houses in all, set irregularly
on this broad street, with their fronts on
the gardens. But the little hamlet had
friendly aspect with flowers at the doors
and flowers in the windows and plenty OF
shade trees.
WerSt and Vulksn, a village distant only
bali mile. had for their priest the same
ecclesiastical officer. Aud although this
priest resided at Vulkan there was school
master at Wersf, Hermod by name, just
barely capable of teaching reading. writing
and arithmetic. But while lie knew no TIL
ing of science he was strong in the legends
of the country. and well up in everything
fantastic. Koltz, the village Justice, was a
little man about 60. with iron gray hair,
black mustache. mild eyes and built and
clad like monntaneer. MS head crowned
with huge felt hat and his body girthed
with deep belt buckled in front.
The village Justice was widower with
en- only child, the handsome Miriota, the
pride of two villages. Tor she was quite as
well known at Fulkan. At this time
Mlri0ta was no longer liam hkin," IS her
name signified. bnt very pretty girl of 20.
with soft brown eyes and charming figure.
1t didn't require the fact that she would be
the sole heir of rich Justice Koliz to make
the young men follow Miriota with longing
eyes; but she was already adjudged to a
fayOrite sutton, the handsome young for
ester, Nick Deck.
There are two other village notables who
must not be passed ever in silence, Que the
scboolmaster and the other the doctor.
Hermod was tall, smooth-faced man with
thin hair, struggling over fattened head,
spectacles always astride his nose, and a
porcelain pipe forever between his teeth
He was good writer, and prided himself
upon his skill IN making quill pen, for he
held steel pens in abomination.
And last comes Dr. Potak. Potak was
little man with big stomach, about 55 years
old. His great dignity and astonishing
elcquenee made him very important per-
souage in the eyes OF the viilagers-Quite
the peer of Erik, and that's saying great
deal. He said drugs and prescriptions. but
they were so harmless that they didn't keep
the people from getting well of their petty
ailments.
Potak had mind of his own and hence 1t
was that he scoffed at the current super
stitions of9this region 10 the Carpathisns,
even including those relating to the old
castle. He pooh poOhed them, snapped his
fingers at them, aud when some one said in
his presence that no one had dared TO go near
the old castle for time immemorial, he ex-
claimed:
Eye better not dare me to pay visit to
your old barracks
But as every one had taken good care not
10 dare him 10 60, the doctor had not gone,
and with the help of the lovers of the fan
tasiic the old castle had remained wrapt In
as great mystery as ever.
In a few minutes the news brought by
Herdsman Erik had spread through the vii
lage. Justice koltz, with the wonderful
spy-glass in hand and followed by Nick
and Miriota had gone home. Erik was left
standing there with q crowd of men. women
ana children around him. They piled him
with questions and Erik answered with the
naughty air OF one who has just made some
extraordinary discovery.
By this time, however, the little crowd Of
simpl e. minded villagers began to notice that
the twilight was deepening rapidly and that
the old herdsman had gone his way. At
once they broke up into groups of two and
three and shrunk away, looking back over
their shoulders. as they expected 10 see
some GO bin or other fantastic creature fol-
lowing them 10 their homes. Some who lived
IN distant corners of the village made a halt
al the tavern 10 drink some spirits and thus
stifen up their courage. The place was
fayorlte resort for takers as well as
drinkers after the days work was DONE for
the truth is King Matthias Inn, as il was
called. was the only drinking place in
Werst. 1t was kept by Jew by the name
OF Jonas, Honest Jonas" AS he was called.
man of sixty, having O pleasant face
although strongly Semitic with its black
eyes. hooked nese. projecting lips, straight
hair and trad tional pointed beard. Like
macy OF his race, Honest Jonas was often
lender, but never at usurious rates nor
ever under hard contracts.
CHAPTER ".
BY the time 1t had struck there was al
ready a goodly gathering of village notables
beneath old jonas roof. such as Justice
KoltZ, Master Hermod, Forester Nick Deck
aud Il dozen others, not forgetting the
grizzly old herdsman. Erik, who was more
important parsonage than ever that night
Dr. Potak was missing, having been hastily
summoned by one of his old patients. who
only was awaiting his arrival before setting
out for the other world. As the company
could never think OF discussing any
presence, some of the guests sat sip
ping hot punch and others nibbling
mamaliga, species of corncake,
served with fresh milk by the host of King
Matthias. Half-past s came and no Potak.
The grog had begun to loosen the tongues
OF those present Every one in the room
was agreed as to one point, to wit: That if
the castle Of the Carpathiaus was really In
habited by persons unknown no powder
magazine could be more dangerous 10 q
town than IL was TO the village of Worst
The bad reputation of the castle will in
jnre the country" exclaimed Jonas; keep
away strangers-yes, even drive our own
people away from their homes"
81 shall 90 just as soon as i can sell my
crops" put in one OF the peasants.
''My good man." cried Jonas, "you
wouldn't get bid for them"
Suddenly the rudo old herdsman, Erik,
began nodding his head mysteriously
Perhaps it may become necessary for US
to take look at the old CASTLE" he NUT
tered out.
The herdsman's words seemed TO come
out of the cellar so dull and hollow did his
voice sound. Those present appeared not
to have heard them. They sat with their
eyes on the floor.
MY friends" spoke Jonas, sit seems 10
me that Erik is right II there is smoke
rising from one Of the castle chimneys II is
because there's fire there, and IL there's
fire there some hand must have lighted it,"
Hand, hey, JOnas?" blurted out O
peasant. "DOn'tv We mean a claw?"
Hand or claw" replied the innkeeper,
tits all tile same. We want to know what
IL all means. It's the first time that smoke
has left that chimney-top since Baron
Rodolphs disappeared.
Now, to my mind,' he continued, "lhere
can be no doubt Of the fact that the castle is
tenanted by human beings"
Human beings2" broke in the school
master. Permit ME to disagree with you.
Why. should human beings ever conceive
the idea OF taking refuge in the castle?
What would be their intention?'
who do YOU think these intruders are,
thenP" asked the Justice soemnly.
supernatural beings! replied Hermod
In tone that startled every listener. "Why
shouldn't they be spirits" he added, almost
in whisper. 'gnOmes, COLLINS, or even
some of those dangerous lamse which take
ON the form of beautiful women?"
During this enumeration the eyes OF
every man present wandered from the
door to the windows and then to the big
fireplace. Not one of the listeners was
there who did not expect TO see ghosts or
pbantoms appear in the very order they
bad been enumerated by Master Hermod.
Up TO this moment Nick Deck had taken
no part in the conversation not that he
hadn't been most Interested listener, but
now when IL was proposed TO nav visit To
the d.castle. Mirio,a had come in;o lis
thoughts. for he had often had the same
Idea himself and would long ago have
crossed the drawbridge of the mysterious