Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-13

saddle flaps between his knees, so he Is the
most clumsy when he has to loop up his
saber and his saber tasche in one hand and
turn in his toes for feaT of catching the
rowels of his spurs. Still Duroc and were
of an age when one can carry things off.
and 1 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 / slipped
a pistol from my holster into the inside of
my peiisse, for it seemed to me that there
might be some wild work for us.
The track which led to the castle wound
through a pitch-black frwood, where one
could see nothing save the ragged patch OF
stars above our heads. Presently, how
ever it opened up, and there was the cas-
tie right in front of US about as far as
carbine would carry. 1t was a huge black
place, and bore every mark of being ex-
ceedingly old, with turrets at every corner
and a square keep on the side which was
nearest to us. In all its great shadow
there was no sign of light save for single
window, and no sound came from II. 10
me there was something awful in its size
ard it's silence which corresponded so well
with it's sinister name. My companion
pressed on eagerly and 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 with the hits of our sabers
that we could at last attract attention. A
thin, pale-faced man with beard up to
his temples opened 1t at last. He carried
lantern in one hand, and with the other
a chain which held an enormous black
hound. His manner at the hrst moment
was threatening, but the sight of our uni
forms and of our faces turned IL into one
OF sulky reserve.
"The Baron Straubenthal does not re
ceive visitors at 50 late an hour" said he,
speaking In very excellent French.
"You can inform Baron Straubenthal that
I have come 500 leagues to see him. and
that I will not leave until I have done So,
said my companion. I could not myself
ner.
The fellow took a sidelong look at us
and tugged at his long black beard in his
perplexity.
1.-THE baron has a cup or two of wine In
him at this hour and you would certainly
find him q moIe entertaining companion II
you were to come again In the morning."
He had opened the door little wider as
he spoke and l 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 Of these mon
strous hounds. Duroc must have seen 1t
also. but 1t made no difference to his reso-
luton.
Enough talk" said he pushing the man
to one side. 1T Is with your master that
have to deal''
The fellows in the hall made way for
him as he strobe in among them, 50 great
Is the power Of one man who knows what
he wants over several who are not sure
Of themselves. My companion tapped one
Of them on the shoulder with as much as
surance rs though he owned him.
"Show me to the baron" said he.
The man shrugged his shoulders and an
ewered something in Polish. The fellow
with the beard who had shut and barred
the front door appeared to be the only one
among them who could speak French.
We'll, you shall have your way" said
he. with n sinister smile. You shall see
the baron And perhaps before you have
finished you will wish that you had taken
my advice"
We followed him down the hall, which
was stone tagged and very spacious. with
skins scattered upon the floor, and the