Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-07-09
CHAPTER TX.
THE DEEr.


Now we placed our ears against the
panelling and listened. First we heard
creaks that were loud in the stiffness,
then soft heavy noises such as are made
by q cat when it jumps from d height to
the ground, and a gentle rubbiRg as OF
stockinged feet upon the floor. After
this for some seconds there was Silence
that presently was broken by the click
of steel and the sound of heavy blows
delivered upon some soft substance
with swords and knives. The murderers
were driving their weapons through
the bedclothes, thinking that we slept
beneath them. Next came whiSperings
and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don
Jose's, said:
''Be careful, the beds are empty"
Another instant candles were lit, for
their light reached us through small
peepholes in the panel, and by putting
our eyes to these we could see all that
passed in the room. There before us
was Don Jose, Don Smith, and four of
their companions, all armed with knives
or machetes, while framed, as it were
in the wall, in the place that had been
occupied by the picture of the abbot,
stood our host, Don Pedro, holding a
candle above his head, and glaring with
his fish-like eyes into every corner of
the room.
Where are theyP" he said. where
are the wizards? Find them quick and
kill them"
Now the men ran to and fro about the
room, dragging aside the beds and star
ing at the pictures on the walls as
though they expected to see us there.
They are gone" said Jose at length.
THAT Indian, Ignatio, has conjured
them away. He is a demonio and not a
man. thought it from the first"
''Impossible!" cried Dom Pedro, who
was white with rage and fear. 1.-THE
door has been watched ever since they
entered it, and no living thing could
force those bars. Search, search; thew
must be hidden"
Smith sullenly, they're not here. Per-
haps they discovered the trick of the
picture and escaped down the passage
to the chapel"
at cannot be-" said Don Pedro again,
''for just now / was in the chapel and
saw no signs of them. We have some
traitor among us who has led them from
the house. BY heaven, if | find him
out!' and he uttered fearful oath.
Shall we bring the dogs?" asked
Jose, and | trembled at his words.
''Thcy might smell their footing"
"Fooll what is the use of dogs in a
place where all of you have been
tramping?" answered the father. TO
morrow ut dawn we viii try them out
side. for these men must be found and
killed or we are ruined. Tell those
rascals to give up the search and go to
bed; it is useless. Then do you come
quiet to my room, and we will visit the
Indian and his daughter If we are to
get their secret out of them it must be
done tonight, for, like a fool, told
that Englishman the story when the
wine was in me, thinking that he would
never live to repeat it."
Yes, yes, it must be done tonight,
for tomorrow we may have to fiy
But what If the brutes won't speak,
father?"
I'VE will find means to make them
speak," answered the old man with a
hideous chuckle; but whether they
speak or not. they must be silent after
ward" and he drew his hand across
his throat and added: Come"
An hour passed while we stood in the
hole trembling with excitement, hope,
and fear, and then once more we heard
cracks, followed presently bv the sound
Of voice whispering on the further
side of the panel.
Are you there, lord?" the whisper
said. lit is |, Luisa."
Yes" answered.
Now she touched the spring and
opened the door.
Listen" she said; ''they have gone
20 sleep. all of them, but before dawn
they viii be up again to search for you
far and wide. Therefor you must do
one of two things-lie hid here, perhaps
for days. or take your chance of escape
at once"
''How can we escape?' asked.
'sThere is but one way, lord, through
she chapel The door into it is locked,
but can show you place from which
the priests used to watch those below,
and thence, if you are brave, you can
drop TO the ground beneath, for the
height is not great. Once there you
can escape into the garden through the
window over the altar, which is broken,
Is / have seen from without, though to
do so perhaps You viii have to climb
anon each others shoulders Then you
must flv as swiftly as you can by the
light of the moon, which has risen
The dogs have been gorged and tied
ap, so, II the Heart Is your friend You
may yet go unframed.
Now / spoke 30 the senior. saying:
ALTHOUGH the woman does not know
a, think Il likely that we shall find
eompany II this chapel, seeing that the
indian and hss daughter are imprisoned