The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-04
CHAPTER XIV.

drive away the inha bitants Of Werst. Be-
sides ii was known to have been abandoned
since the death of the last servants of the
family. But one day, as told at the outset
Of this story, the spyglass of Shepherd Erik
made out some smoke that was escap-
ing from one of the ehimneys of the dun
geon. From that moment onward the CON-
ments began again, and we know already
what was the result.
1t was then that telephone communIca-
tiOn was useful, as the Baron of Gortz and
Orfanik could lie kept Informed of all that
passed at Werst. 1t was by this wire that
they learned of the engagement that Nick
Deck had made to repair to the castle, and it
was by the wire that a threatening voice
suddenly made itself heard in the hall of
the King Matthias, TO dlssuade him from
doing so. From then, the young forester
having persisted in his resolution in spite of
this threat the Baron de G0TIz decided to
give him such lesson that he would lose all
desire 10 ever return there. That night
the machinery of Orfanik, which was
always ready 10 ac:, produced a
series OF purely physical phenomena,
calculated to inspire terror in the surround
ing country; the bell ringing in the belfry
OF the chapel; the projection of intense
flames mingled with seasalt, which gave to
all things spectral aspect; formidable
''sirens" or foghorns. from which the air
d.
Photographic silhOuettes of monsters pro-
lected on the air by means Of powerful
IehectorS; electric plates or disks placed
among the neighboriDg plants and connect
ing with the battery, the current of which
held the doctor fast by his boots, which had
iron heel-supporters; and, finally. an
electric discharge emitted by the batteries
of the labor atorY which sent the forester
staggering backward at the very moment
that his land touched the ironwork of the
pOrtculls.
Just as the Baron de Gortz thought, after
the aspiration Of these inexplieable prodi-
gies, after the attempt OF MEX Deck, which
had turned out so badly, terror was at Its
height. aud neither for gold or silver would
any one have approached at least within
two good miles OF the castle OF the Carpa-
thians. that was so evidently haunted by
supernatural beings.
Rodolphe de Gortz must have thought
himself safe from all i'm Fortunate curiosity
when Franz de Telek arrived at the village
of Werst
While he was questioning now Jonas,
now Master Koltz, his presence at the King
Matthias was immediately signaled by the
thread of the Nyad. The hatred OF the
Baron for the young Count blaZed Cd anew
at the recollection OF the events that had
taken place at Naples. Not only was Franz
de Telek there In the village, few miles
from the castle. but before all the notabil-
tiles of the place he derided their absurd
supersutions and demolished that fan
tastic reputation that protected the castle
Of the Carpathians He even undertook 10
advise the Harrisburg authorities. so that the
police might put an end TO all these legends.
Therefore, Baron de GortZ resolved 70
draw Franz de Telek into the castle, and
we know already by what diverse methods
he had succeeded In doing go. The voice eff
Stilla conveyed to the King Matthias Inn,
by means of the telephone apparatus, had
melted the young Count TO turn out of his
way and to approach the castle, The ap-.
peaTance Of the singer IN the embrasure of
the bgStion had given him an irresistible
desire 10 penetrate within. A light shown
at one of the windows of the dungeon had
guided him toward the postern gate, which
opened 10 give him entrance. At the bot
tom of this electrically lighted crypt from
which be had again heard this penetrating
voice. between the walls of that cell where
food was brought TO him while he was sunk
in lethargic sleep, in that prison while
buried beneath the depths Of the castle,
when the massive door closed behind him,
Franz de Teek was in the power of the
Baron Corr and Baron GortZ calculated
that he would never be able to regain bis
liberty.
Such were the results obtained by that
mysterious collaboration of ROdolphe de
GorIZ ana his accOmplce. OrfaBik. But, to
his extreme disgust, the Baron knew that
the alarm had been given by ROtko, who
not having followed his master into the
castle property, had warned the Harrisburg
authorities. A squad of agents had arrived
al the village OF Worst, and Baron de GortZ
was going to have 10 do with too strong a
party. La fact, how could Orfanik and he
succeed in defending themselves against a
numerous troop? The means employed
against Nick Deck and Dr. Potak would be
insufficient The police does not believe In
diaoolcal interventions. Thus they were
both resolved to destroy the castle from
they only awaited the moment
OF action. An electric current was pre-
pared 10 set FIRE to the charges of dynamite
that had been buried Beneath the dungeon.
the bastions and the old chapel, and the ap-
paratus destined 10 start this current was
to leave Baron de GortZ and his accompIice
time to escape by the tunnel of the neck of
Vulcan. Thus, after the explosion. of which
the young Count and a number of those who
had scaled the castle walls were to be the
victims, these two were TO fly so far that no
traces of them would ever be again discov-
cred
What he had Just overheard of this con-
versation had given Franz the explanation
of the phenomena OF the past. He knew
now that telephone communication ex-
listed between the castle of the Carpathians
and the village of Werst. Nor was he ig-
norant of the fact that the castle was going
70 be annihilated in a catastrophe that
would cost him his life and would be fatal
to the police agents brought by Rotzko. He
further knew that Baron GortZ and Orfanik
would have time to fly, carrying with them
the unconscious Stilla.
Ali Why could not Franz force an entry
into the chapel and fall upon these two
men? He would have felled them; he
would have struck them; placed them be-
yond the power to inlure; he could have
prevented frightful ruin. But what was at
this moment Impossible would perhaps not
be so after the Baron's departure. When
the two should have quilted the chapel
Franz, pursuing their footsteps, would fol-
low them TO the dungeon. where. by the
help of God, he would do justice.
Baron de GortZ and Orfank were already
at the foot OF the apsis. Franz did not re-
move his eyes from them. BY what outlet
would they retire? Would it be by door
opening on one of the courts of the inclos-
IRE, or by some interior passage that must
unite the passage with the dungeon, for 1t
appeared that all the buildings in the rastle
communicated with each other? 1t little
mattered IL only the young Count did not
meet an obstacle that he could not traverse
At that moment some words were again ex-
changed between Baron de Gortz and Or
fanik.
There is nothing more to be done here?"
Nothing"
"Then let US separate"
''You still intend that l shall leave you
alone at the castle?"
Eyes, OrfanLs. and start at once by the
tunnel of the Vulcan pass"
but you"
II shall only leave the castle at the last
moment"
at is agreed that am to await you at
Bistritz?"
"At Bistritz."
Remain, then. Baron Rodolphe and re-
main alone, since 1t is your DESIRE"
"Yes-for / wish TO hear i'll must hear
1t during this last night that i shall ever
pass at the castle of the Carpathians."
A few more instants and Baron de Goriz
with 0rfanik had Quilted the chapel.
Although the name Of Stilla had not bsen
in ~
fectly understood that it was of her that
they were speaking.