Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-08-25
CHAPTER II.

He was quite right. We were marched
across the town, through its narrow
thoroughfares, over its sharp paving
stones, and into the courtyard Of the
Castle Of st. Michael. By the time we
got there and the heavy oaken gates
were shut behind US it was nearly dark.
Here you pass the night" announced
our officer. In the morning-humphl
we will see"
to afford US no better accommodation
than this?" demanded, apostrophizing
the powers OF the air, rather than any
definite personality.
But the dark young man took it upon
him to reply. $50 it seems" said he.
fortunately, however, the night is
warm, the skies are clear, and to gaze
upon the stars is reputed to be most
elevating for the spirit.
Our officer. his brief but pregnant
harangue concluded, had vanished into
the castle, leaving US a corporal and
three privates for a guard Of honor.
We, the prisoners, gathered together
in the middle Of the courtyard, all of US,
and held sort of impromptu indigna-
ton meeting. The women were espe-
cially eloquent in their complaints.
Two of these women recognized as
having been among my neighbors OF the
doorstep a half hour since, and we ex-
changed compassionate chances. The
other four were oldish women. who wore
caps and aprons and looked like do
nestle servants.
Cooks" whispered my comrade.
Some good burghers will be kept wait
ing for their suppers. Oh, what a lark"
Our convention finally broke up with
an informal resolution to the effect that,
though we had been most shabbily
treated, there was nothing to be done.
we must grin and bear it. But let
us make ourselves comfortable as we
may, and seek distraction in an inter
change of IDEAS" proposed my mate.
He seated himself upon barrel that
lay lengthwiSe against the castle wall,
and motioned me to place myself beside
him
You are English?" he inquired in an
abrupt, German way.
mo, am an American"
"Ah, it is the same thing. A tourist?
Have you been long in X-?"
Three days.
For heavens sake, what have you
found to keep you here three days?"
Il am a painter, and the town is
paintable."
Still lifel Nature mortel" he cried.
%It is the dullest little town in Christen-
dom. But am glad you are painter.
I am a musician fiddler.
Z suspected we were of the same
general clan, said I.
Did you, thought How FUNNY But
I also seemed to scent a kindred soul "
Here is my card. If we're not be-
headed in the morning, hope we may
see more Of each other, I went on.
He took my card. and, by the light OF
the match he struck for the occasion,
read aloud from it: Mr.. Arthur Vain
wright" pronouncing the English name
without difficulty. 4 have no card, but
my name IS Sebastian Roch-
You speak Euglish?" was my infer
ence.
"Oh. yes, I speak kind Of English
he confessed, using the tongue in ques-
ton. He had scarcely a trace Of for
eign accent.
You speak it uncommonly well.
declared.
-Oh, learned it as child, and theI
[ 7 have relatives In England" he ex
planned.
do you suppose there would be an,
J objection to our smoking7" asked.
} -Oh. moi let US smoke by all means.
I offered him my cigarette case. Whel
l we had our cigarettes afire we resume'
? our talk.
{ Tell me. what, in your opinion. is tn
? truth about Mathilde2- began. Il
e she in voluntary hiding2 Or is he
uncle at the bottom OF it7'
5 ~Ah, that is too hard a riddIeis he pro
tested. Il know nothing about 1t, an
!. I have scarcely an opinion But ma
: say very frankly that am not one c
her partisans. She has no worse enem
!. than 7.
: what Really? I am surprised q
= that. I thought all the youth Of x
!, were devoted to her.
: She's harmless enough little pei
:. son in her way. perhaps, and I hay