The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-02
PART II.

PART II.
The clamor without, a clamor in
which were commingled the hoarse
cries of men, the shrieks of women, the
ringing of hoofs upon the flags the
clash Of steel, the loud note of COM
mand, now rose up from the very street
below them. Coz le Roi listened to the
hubbub, and his knees quaked under
him; but the unknown, who had timed
his play to the ultimate moment,
seemed at last to turn from his humor
and to take pity upon the trembling
robber.
Come" said he, follow me and ask
nothing. You have a lanter there
light it!'
The hunted man was now as clay in
the hands of this maker of mysteries.
He lighted his lantern mechanically;
mechanically he followed the stranger
down the dark and narrow stairs of
the house of the Red Cock He could
hear those without beating already
upon his door; but he trembled no long
er. The man who went before him
seemed to fill him with a new courage,
as measure is filled with wine. He
did not ask, whence does he come,
whittier does he go? He said only, he
will save me. And when at length he
found himself out in the narrow, hign-
walled courtyard, which was called by
courtesy his garden, he was like child
obeying a father, and trusting him un-
questioningly.
"Monsier' he exclaimed, with hum
BILE civilty, there is no door to the
street here"
you lie," said the stranger, curtly;
give me your lantern
Cog lie Roi watched him with amaze
ment now For when the masked man
had taken the lantern in his hand, he
walked straight to the mouth of the
old well which was the one conspicu-
Gus thing in that filthy and deserted
court Then he unwound a long roll of
thin rope, and attaching the lantern
to this, he lowered it into the orifice.
Coy lie Roi, looking over his shoulder
timidly, watched him as one watches
a conjuror at his tricks.
"Ciel, monster" cried he, you can
not hide me in the we'll"
The unknown laughed scornfully.
"St. Denis" exclaimed he, that a
man should live five years in a house
| and vet know nothing of it's resources.
| DO you follow the path of that light, my
| friend. Well, tell me what you see?"
The walls shows me walls green with
slime and fungus" said the robber Il
see great gaps where bricks have been;
there are lizards of strange shapes, and
rats feeding-and now | see the water
Holy Nirgin-you would not send me
down there, monsieur"
Look again." cried the other, UNI
moved at the plea; upon the right
hand side of the well al a little distance
above the waters edge, what see you
| noW?"
COO le Roi stretched out his neck and
searched the foetid depths with eager
eyes. The twinkle of the light below
| was like a star seen through a black
tube. The rats fled at its light; stones
fell with resounding splashes while
they ran; cold air oozed up and seemed
to freeze the robbers face.
Mon Dieu," said he, you have dis
covered something, monsieur; there is
Il little tunnel running into the well
and the water does not cover its
mouth"
you have said WELL" answered the
unknown; through that tunnel W.
shall pass to our friends. After you, NJ
Cabot. This rope which holds tht
bucket will bear the weight of thre'
men. Trust your life to it rather thar
to your friends without l wait fo
you"
Coz lie Roi shuddered.
"Ciel," said he, Il dare not go dow
there"
You dare not-sang- bleu, do yol
81 F,,,,, IA,
sabers of the guards who beat in you
door. Shall l leave you to receive you
guests? | give you one minute"
He folded his arms and waited. Coz
le Roi, now wringing his hands, or run
ming to and fro in his Distress or peer
ing with u horrid fear into the we'll be
low, was like a woman distracted.
God have pity" he cried, Il cannot
/ cannot"
THE half of a minute is gone" an
swered the unknown, in a voice hard a
iron,
"Do you wish to kill me, monsieur?
moaned the robber.
You have ten seconds yet" cried tn
unknown.
you torture me-" walled the rob
ber
|
door" replied the unknown.
1t was as he said. The great iror
bound gate was giving way to II
crashing blows which fell upon it. CO
I lie Roi listened for one long instant
I and then, reeling, staggering towaI
l the well, he clutched the rope and b'
S gan to descend.
. when you come to the tunnel, kic
= against the wall and that will swim
= you in" cried the masked man, benz
, ing over to watch him; "leave the lal
t tern until l follow"
4 "You will find my body" howled Il
!, robber from the darkness.
Lowering himself hand under har
= Coz le Roi went down into the we
:. The unknown waited until he hf
: reached the light and had entered Il
= dark hole above the water. Then h
too, clutched the rope, but he cou
not keep back the laugh from his lfr
n "Sang-b bleu, Sartines," Sid he to hin