The morning call., 1892-11-13
THE STRANGERS ENTER THE INN

about him. With a profound obeisance
Jonas begged TO know whom he had the
honor to receive as guests.
Count Franz de Telek," replied the
younger OF the TWO men, "and his orderly,
RotzkO. Let us have two good rooms and
prepare supper for us at once" the Count
added, turning away.
Jonas rubbed his palms together with his
old-time JUNCTION, and assured the noble
stranger that a supper fit for a king should
at once forthcoming.
''IIow far is it to kolosvar?" INQUIRED the
Count. cutting short the hosts long-drawn
out praise OF his wines and meats.
About fifty miles," answered Jonas, s'by
following the route TO Petroseny and Karls-
burg"
us it a very hard road?"
Yes, for foot-passengers," replied the
inn-keeper, land if-your honor will pardon
the remark, you seem to stand in need of
few DAYS rest"
The Count took no notice OF the observa-
ton and after turn up and down the room
halted and said:
You don't seem to have many guests
under your roof"
mo. my. lord" stammered Jonas, land
all my customers have gone home. They
60 to bed with the fowls at Werst."
why, we didn't meet a living soul In
coming down the street," cried Franz de
Teek.
Jonas made haste to turn the conversa-
tion to the supper. He trembled lest his
two guests should learn the true condition
OF affairs, or worse than all, that the mys-
ferrous voice should begin talking again
while they were at supper. Aud ne took
good care TO make thorough examination
oil the rooms assigned TO the Count before
conducting the latter TO them. Happily
nothing occurred 10 disturb the sleep of the
young officer and his orderly.
At daybreak the news of their arrival at
the village inn was quickly spread abroad,
and group OF the villagers FASTENED to
parade the street in hopes of getting a
glimpse OF the strangers. But the Count
and his orderly had not yet made their ap-
pearance. They came at last, however and
the villagers were greatly treasured at not
finding anything extraordinary about them
and to see them quietly sit down to break
fast like ordinary folk. At nine o'clock
justice koltZ made bold 10 enter the tavern
and he was soon followed by the school,
master and several others. Potak abso-
lutely refused TO show himself. Franz de
Telek received these village dignitaries with
a certain show of courtesy, and invited
them to take seats at his table. How could
they refuse so reasonable and 80 agreeable
an Invitation? Jonas made haste to uncork
some OF the best wine in his cellar.
Il suppose that travellers rarely push their
way into this portion of Pennsylvania" re-
marked the Count in the course Of the con-
yersation.
Eyes. rarely" replied Koitz, ''ani yet the
country is we'll worth seeing, particularly
this part OF 1t. 1t would pay you to prolong
your stay for day or So"
why, what is there TO interest one ?"
asked Franz. II have a tourists curiosity.
What have you to oiferp / don't suppose
there Is anything very wonderful In the
"Yes there isp blurted out Erik. but a
look from the others sienced him.
Anything very wonderfully repeated
Koltz greatly confused.
"0h. no! Oh. mol" cried half dozen
voices.
Franz gazed inquiringly upon the faces of
his humble guests, now betraying as many
shades Of alarm as there were faces them
selves.
1T appears. my lord" broke in Rotzko.
that there is a castle here-the castle of
the Carpathians"
"Castle of the Carpathiansa" repeated
Franz.
Eyes. that's what this honest herdsman
has just whispered to me."
There was nothing for Justice Koltz to
do but to make the young nobleman ac-
qualnted with the strange story of the old
castle. Franz listened breathlessly to the
curious mixture of facts and fancy, but
when at its close the Justice solemnly de-
clared 1t TO be his opinion that no human
being could force an entrance into the old
castle strange smile spread over the young
nobleman's features. The village Justice
then supplemented his curious recital with
a full account Of Nick's and Potak's recent
attempt 10 gain aim lSSiOn TO the castle and
Of the extraordinary adventure that had be-
fallen them.
Franz sat in silence for moment. then
made reply as follows:~
There is nothing wonderful In all that
you have told me. No doubt this old
mountain home of bygone age Is really in
habited. by whom. can't say. But In
any event not by spirits. good or bad, but
by those whose interest 1t is to be left alone,
by persons who have taken refuge in it,
criminals, no doubt. And l am very sorry
that l haven't day at my disposal. or
Rotzko and / would have been delighted to
paw visit to this terrible castle, which you
think is Inhabited by ghosts and go blins. Be
assured these unpleasant folks would not
have succeeded in playing any such tricks
on US. as they did on your worthy DOCTOR"
The villagers began crossing themselves
upon hearing these disrespectfui words con.
corning the spirits. Some stared about
them in dull dlsmay, and others slipped out
Of the room unwilling even to countenance
by their presence such REASONABLE septi-
ments against the invisible powers of the
air, who to their simple minds were as real
and actual as the Kings troops
Franz de Telek looked upon this spectacle
with his emo,iors " strangely stirred.
Really, my friends" he cried cut, II see