The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-07-12
CHAPTER VII. tco.t,..es.,

very close to which his boat was moor.
cd, and pulling aside some low bushes
he felt about in the darkness for some
time with his hands.
At length he seemed to find whit he
wanted, for his hand came in contact
with small grating, and half lifting
this lie was able to take hold of Inn.
die which. OH being turned, enabled
him to push inward a portion of the
masonry at the foot of the tower al
though 1t were a door.
This indeed it was, nm iron door
with stones so carefully and cunningly
fitted upon 1t that only n person wllu
knew the secret could ever detect tho
spot or suspect the existence of any
means Of ingrcss.
Frank passed through this door, but
he did not close it, for he had no fear
Of any one disturbing him. and he
meant 10 enter the castle without oh.
servation and hide himself in some
dark corner, SO that lie might have
one view Of the gay scene in the ball
room, where the lady he loved was
sure to be the belle. and then lie ill.,
tended to return to the grounds rs he
came. leaving no trace Of his stolen
WISH DenlnO nm.
lie had not been in this place for
many years, and lie advanced careful.
ly and cautiously, more than once
tempted to strike n light. yet fearful
of betraying himself by doing so.
This fear was increased by one or
two strange circumstances.
In the. first place, the wind seemed
to rush through the vaultcd passage
in n perfect blast. and lie fancicd-
though Of course lie could not be sure,
as there was no light to guide him
that the false door of the chamber
above must be out Of its place.
Fear of detection, and Of suddenly
coming upon somebody he knew. made
him stand and eagerly listen for every
sound.
He had just come to the conclusion
that whatever might be the condition
of the floor above. the coast for HIM
self was clear, and lie was about to
take few steps forward and mount
the iron ladder. which lie often used
before, when the rush of wind in
creased and the sound of voices over
head became distinct.
There seemed to be words of expos
tulatfon and of encouragement, then
there was despairing gasp of terror
us something appeared to fall.
Whatever 1t was, its descent was ar.
rested for moment, but only for Il
moment. then with II heavy tllud tho
something fell close to his very feet,
| lie looked up, hut there was no light.
| Whatever 1t might he that was lying
so close to him. 1t utl cred no sound,
and lie was standing bewildered, not
knowing what to do, hcsitating whetll-
! er to 90 away Mt once or to strike a
light and ascertain what had happen
cd. when, as lie was hcsitating and
doubling. lie heard indistinctly the
grating sound of tine floor above being
forced back into its proper place.
1t was only at this moment that the
conviction dawned upon his mind that
| some fearful crime had been commit
ted of which he had been the uninten.
tional and unsupported witness.
A low grOan close beside him reused
him to immediate action, and he took
box of wax matches from his rocket
and struck light.
The desire that brought him here
this night above NIL nights WINS graft
fled; his eyes rested once more upOn
If ever prayer was granted and
came to the suppliant as n curse, sure.
~ 1t was SO now with Frank Fair.
field. $50
He looked upon Kate Ms she Inv
senscless Mt his feet; blood was flow.
Ing from wound on her forehead,
and from Il second wound OH the side
of her head.
And yet her fall had been slightly
broken by her gown having been
caught by some projection from the
wall.
The wounds on her were serious.
however, and Frank tried to stancli
the blood with O couple Of large hand
kerchfefs he had in his pocket.
This was no easy matter, as he had
to do 1t In the dark, his wax matches
being of no Use except for a second or
two Mt u time.
KATE remained sanscless, and tho
young man tried to revive her by
forcing some brandy which i,e had in
his flask down her throat. "
But his efforts were In vain, nd the
\ dank vault in which they both were
chilled the blood In his veins. while
the girl who was lying on tile floor
was almost us cold as though she were
dead.
His first thought was for Kate. and
he took off his thick, warm ulster.
wrapped her In It as we'll as he could.
then turned to leave her SO that he
might rouse the inmates of the castle
and bring them t. her assistance.
He had only taken few steps, how
| ever, for this purpose before lie paus-
ed. suddenly rendered powerless by
the difficulties and dangers of the sit
uation, not only to himself but to
Kate, until she should be sufficiently
recovered to explain what had han.
pcned.
What business had he in this castle
would naturally be the FIRST inquiry,
and he was compelled to admit that
lie had none-that he was midnight
trcsspasser and might bc taken into
custody as suspected person.
Then, again, 1t was evident that n
deliberate crime had been committed
OF which Kate was the victim; but
who had planned or executed it he
had not the faintest idea,
He was completely ignorant of what
had taken place inside the castle dur.
ing the hours lie lia.. loitered about
outside Its walls; and now for MANY
months past he had held 10 commupi-
cation with Lord I.ilburnc, nor will,
either Of his daughters, so that who
was living there with them or what
their manner Of life might he he did
not know.
Arguing from the unknown, It WINS
very probable that if he raised an
alarm and gave Kate back to those Ia