The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-15
PART II.


Then thrusting his lips close to Nor
gan's ear he formed rather than ut
tered, the words: "Stop Put down de
book! Take somepn wot won't rattle
and come!"
The bits Of steel were already in Ash
by's great pockets. Hastily he tucked
a rich reliquary under his left arm,
shifted the lantern to that hand and
caught with his right a jeweled crozier
which he balanced like a weapon in his
practiced grip. Then, shading his Ian
tern, he stole through the door. The
taller man followed with three or four
vessels from a communion service.
AS they retraced their steps along
the now silent. passages no sound was
heard. Their sown footsteps fell so
carefully on the worn old floor that no
echo of them woke the night They
almost began to think themselves the
dupes of their own guilty terrors, when
again that haunting expectancy smote
them like the soul Of a sound: and
again it grew to the agonizing GER
tainty Of an unmistakable hiss, and
louder than before. And again 1t died
gradually away into silence.
While the memory of the sound yet
dwelt in the air the two men stood as
if frozen in their attitude of listening
dread. Then, with a gasp, Ashby
lunged forward and turned the last
corner of the winding way, the other
close at his heels.
They had emerged upon the gallery
in front Of the building, where about
midway the belfry jutted out over the
valley like a tiny oriel window AT
the other end was the guest chamber
but between stood a figure confronting
| them, looming big and black in the
| darkness.
| 1t was the Prior.
| With his long, white beard flowing
down his chest and his fine head well
| thrown back, he stood gaspinig in one
| hand the triple chains of an ironlamp
| hastily clutchcd from its support. The
| other held the rope Of the bell. At this
| vantage point, where he commanded
| the situation, he had uttered the sound
| that broke in upon their unhallowed
| toll
| Instinctively the taller stranger
| moved forward, but the other put him
| self in front.
Stop" he whispered. want i'm t.
ring dat bell, ye fool? It's his game
now. See?"
| The Prior stood looking at them. No
| trace of reproach or fear or anger or
| any human passion was in his calm
| regard. He was as If carved in stone.
| At last-it seemed to the two men an
| age-he opened his lips.
| "Cheires," he said, in low tone, pro-
nouncing each syllable slowly and dis
| tinctively. Then, after a pause;
| "Epano! Cheires epano."
Even Ashby recognized the care
fully-chosen words. "Epano" had be-
come familiar to him on the lips of
| Greek horse drivers who wished to in
dicate the upper path.
"'E want us to put up cur hans, u
muttered Ashby; IAN I t'ink it's wise
to oblige. See? Lay down the pretties
1t gives a pain, but"
"Cheires epano!" repeated the monk
shifting his attitude a trihe.
| In an instant holy reliquary anC
ikon-frame, crozier and goblets were
put upon the floor, and both men
stretched their hands above theil
heads.
"Kala!" whispered the Prior; very
WE'LL" Then he seemed for a time tc
consider by what words he could issue
further command to men of alien
speech. When at last he spoke it wa;
single word of Italian, familiar in
all the Lavent.
Camera" he said, forming each syl-
liable with the same slow care.
HE says "the chamber" whispered
the taller man; "let us go!"
Together the two men tiptoed along
| a., hi. l,Y }tg
as they went. When they passed the
belfry they brushed the long gown o
the Prior. He stirred not SO much as
the fractiono of an inch as the two
desperate men, with murder in theil
hearts, crept past.
They gained the guest chamber anC
closed the door, and Morgan, with
tremulous fingers lit the candle
Then they sat down and stared at eacf
ether across the table.
Beaten out by a monk" cried Nor
gan, after a long pause, filled Will
bitter memories and gloomy forebod
ings.
yep. But say!" Ashby replied
with a burst of genuine admiration
''ain't 'e a darlin'? Say, amt e got I
nerve? Amt e de real stuff? Say
wot a crook ed make!"
What do you think he'll do?"
"Jes' wot 'es a-doln' of now. Keel
watch till mornin'."
} "Well, we might as well retire TO ou
downy couches and sleep the swee
sleep Of innocence, l suppose" sale
Morgan, bitterly.
Some sudden, reminiscent fash O
former days was struck from Ashbyj
hinty soul by the harsh words, and t
his own surprise as much as his com
panion's, his strained nerves gave way
wish t God 1 could" he crie(
aloud; and then he dropped his heaC
upon his arms and sobbed like a chill
THE Prior has invited you to TAX,
coffee of the morning with him.
is a large honor" cried the little cou
rier as ne hustled next morning int
the guest chamber.
Yes, yes" said the courier, at last
Il understand" and he turned t
Translates This Prior is very glad t
have men from America as the guests
and very glad to have a man of sucl
important business INTERESTS bow
in Ashby's observation-disclosures h,
would ask some practical advices
one time two thiefs did come here
Morgan could not repres. a littl
start.
"Tipote!" said the courier TT wa
, nothing! BE treasured, my sir! Tn
thiefs did secure nothing, because tn