The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-09
cHAprrR 11r.


This was all very well. and 1 listened
with the greatest interest, but vas
none the clearer as to what young
Duroc wished me to do.
How can be of service to YOU
asked.
''By coming up with me-" ,.,,hsi
''To the castle?" ;.,<S,ss
Precisely" il. -
"When?" 90 f,1lNl
'At once"
"But what do you intend to do?"
II shall know what to do. But wish
you to be with me all the same"
Wen. 1t never was In my nature to re-
fuse an adventure. and. besides. l had
every sympathy with the lads feelings,
1t Is very easy to forgive ones enemies,
but one wishes to give them something
to forgive also. held out my hand 10
him. therefore
Il must be on my way to Rossel to-
morrow morning, but tonight l am
yours" said I.
We left our troopers In snug quarters
and. as It was but a mile to the castle.
We did not disturb the horses. To tell
the truth. hate to see a cavalryman
walk. and hold that just as he is the
most gallant thing upon earth when he
has his saddle flaps between his knees,
SO he 10 the most clumsy when he has -
loop up his sabre and his sabre-tasche
in one hand and turn in his toes for fear
Of catching the rowels of his spurs. Still
Duroc and I were Of an age when one
can carry things of. and dare swear
that no woman at least would have
quarreled with the appearance of the
two young hussars. one in blue and one
In gray, who set out that night from the
Arensdorf post house. We both carried
our swords. and for my own part slipt
Q pistol from my hostler into the inside
OF my pelisse, for II seemed to ME that
there might be some wild work for US
The track which led TO the castle
wound through . pitchIblack firwood.
where one could see nothing save the
ragged patch Of stars above our heads.
Presently. however. 1t opened up and
there was the castle right in front Of
US about as far as carbine would
carry. 1t was huge black place. and
bore every mark of being exceedingly
old, with turrsts at every corner and a
square keep on the side which was the
nearest to us. In all its great shadow
there was no sign OF light save for a
single window, and no sound came from
1t. To me there was something awful
in its size and its siiance which cores
ponded so well with a sinister name
My companion pressed on eagerly and
i followed him along the ill-kept path
which led to the gate.
There was no bell or knocker upon the
great iron studded door. and It was only
by pounding y Y tbn1tlts of our sabrss
Denlle We cpufd At 49, 9ttract attention.
A thin, paie-faced man with beard up
to his temples opened it at last. He
carried a lantern in one hand. and with
the other chaip which held an enor-
nous black hound. His manner at the
first moment was threatening, but the
sight of our unifor ms and OF our faces
turned 1t into one of sull<y reserve.
."'The Baron Straubenthal does not re-
cefve visitors at so late an hour" said
he, speaking In very excellent French
You can inform Baron Straubenthal
that have come eight hundred leagues
to see him, and that will not leave I'M
til ] have done So" said my compa MON.
] could not myself have said it with a
better voice and manner.
The fellow took sidelong look at us
and tugsed at his long black beard in
his perplexity.
TO tell the truth, gentlemen" said
ne. ''The Baron has a cup or two Of
wine In him at this hour and you would
certainly fird him more entertaining
companion If you were to come again in
the morning"
He had opened the door little wider
- he spoke and saw by the light of
the lamp in the hall behind him that
three other rough fellows were standing
there, one Of whom held another O.
these monstrous hounds. Duroc must
have seen 1t also, but 1t made no dif-
ference to his resolution.
Enough talk" said he. pushing the
man to one side. 'Tt is with your
master that / have to deal"
y The fellows In the hall made way for
him as he strode In among them. so
great IL the power Of one man who
knows what he wants over several who
A.