The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-21

pelsse. for It seemed to me that there
might be some wild work for us.
The track which led to the castle wound
through pitch-blac fir wood, where one
could see nothing save the ragged patch
Of stars above our heads. Presently,
however. IL opened up and there was the
castle right in front of us about q 5 far a
a carbine would carry. II was a huge
black place. and bore every mark of being
exceedingly old. win turrets at every
corner and a square keep on the side
which was nearest 10 us. In all it's great
shadow there was no sign of light save
for single window, and no sound came
from IL. To me there was something aw-
full in it's size and its silence which CORE
sponded so well with it's sinister name.
My companion pressed on eagerly and I
followed him along the ill-kept path which
led to the gate.
There was NJ bell or knocker upon the
great reconstructed door. and II was only
by pounding with the hits of our sabres
that we could al last attract attention. A
thin, pale-fsced man with a beard I'D 10
his TEMPLES opened Il al last. He carried
a lantern in one hand. and with the other
a chain which held an enormous black
hound. His manner at the first 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 so late an hour" said he
speaking in very excellent French.
You can inform Baron Strlubenthal
that have come $40 leagues TO see him.
and that l will not leave until have done
SO" said my companion. could not my
self have said Il with a better voice and
manner.
The fellow took a sidelong look at us
and tuTged al his long black beard In his
perplexfty.
ITO tell the truth. gentlemen" said he,
''the baron has a cup or two OF wine in
him at this hour and you would certainly
find him more entertaining companion
II you were 10 come again in the morn
ing"
He had opened the door little wider
as he spoke, and I 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 -
also. hut II mace no difference 10 his res
olutfon.
Enough talk" said he pushing the
man 70 one side. ut is with your master
that have 20 deal"
The fellows in the hall made way for
him as he strobe In among them. SO great
Is the power Of one man who knows what
he wants over several who are not so sure
OF themselves. Ny companion tapped one
~ them on the shoulder with as much
assurance as though he owned him.
SHOW me the baron" said he
The man shrugged his shoulders ard
answered something in Polish The fel-
low with the beard. who had smut and
barred the front door. appeared 20 he the
only one among them who could speak
French.
We'll. you shall have your way" said
ne, with a sinister smile You shall see
finished you VIII wish that you had taken
nv advice"
We followed him down the hall. which
was stone tagged and very spacious. with
skins scattered upon the foor, and the
heads Of Wild beasts uron the walls ~
the further end ne threw open a door and
we entered.
T. vas small room. scautfly Furnished.
With the same marks OF neglect and de-
cay which met Us al every turn. The walls
were hung with discoloreS tapestry, which
rad come loose at ore corner 80 as 10
expose the rough Stone wall hshlni A
second door hung with a curtain faced rs
unon the other side. Between Law s1uar 70
table strewn with dirty dishes nd IRE
sor9ia remains OF a meal Several Bottles
were scattered Over Il. ~ Tire head ~ II
facing Us there sat huge man with =
Non-lika head an3 3 great shock &c
Gran ge-coforsd hair. His beard was ~
the same glazing Rue. ma -e1 ana tangled
and coarse az a horses name. Rave seen
some strange faces n ny time hut never
one more brutal than that with Sc small
ewes. its white cruupisd checks and ne
tNick. hanging iio whlcA prafrrl led over
RS rnonStrous bead His head spravea
about on his shoulders. ard ne looked az
VS. with ne vaVre. ssrn gaze ~ a drunken
man Y@t ~ was uot - drunk hut tha;
our uniforms carried their message TO
hin
Vel nv brave BOYS" re Al~-0uEhef
''Shst = ths lztssf news rra-a pzgss-eh-
you're golhg 20 free Poland. ! hear. aai