Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-15

SHOULD WE BE DISCOVERED.
MONSIEUR.
come to the open. Anet lies before us
and the rest of the way must be dom
on foot"
''And the horses?"
"Fasten them here. You have pick
citing rope?"
"Yes-round the neck of the horse.
Good. l had not noticed it before
and was half afraid you had none, mon
sieur."
The horses were soon securely fast
ened, and when this was done Nicholas
spoke low and earnestly: SHOULD we be
discovered, monsieur, there is no use
making standing fight. The odds are
too many. When we come to the open
| will show you withered oak. This
is exactly opposite where the horses
are-in this direction. II we are pur-
sued. make for the forest and lie down.
The chances are they will pass us by.
Then TO the horses and follow me. II |
go down. ride northwards for your life. .
''Tiow the devil am TO find my way
through the trees?"
Nicholas shrugged his shoulders as
II TO say. that was my affair.""
We had gone too far to go back, how
ever, and placing my pistol in my belt
and loosening my sword in its sheath,
| followed Nicholas with cautious foot
steps. As be said. in about so yards we
came TO the open, and halted close to q
huge oak. bald of all leaves, with its
gnarled trunk riven and SCARED by
lightning. Before us level stretch of
turf sloped gently down towards what
was once an ornamental lake. but now
overgrown with the rankest weeds. In
the center Of the lake was small is
land, on which was set summer house,
fashioned like Moorish kiosque, and
beyond this rose huge and square the
enormous facade of the chateau. TWAS
in darkness except for an oriel window
above a long terrace on the east wing,
which was bright with light, and In
the courtyard below there was evident
ly fire. Men were singing round il,
and lifting chorus came TO our ears.
Inch by inch we crept onward, keep
ing well in the shadow. and edging our
way round the frills of the forest. l
could hear Nicholas breathing hard,
and from time to time he stopped to
rest; but l was glad man to find
was not winded, and that therefore
must be truly as strong again as ever
was. At last, by dint of creeping,
crawling and wriggling along. we
worked our way to within 20 PAGES of
the terrace, above which the stained
glass of the oriel window glowed with
light. Here we came to a stop and
Sometimes we saw a shadow
moving backward and forward in the
light of the window, then the shadow
vas joined by another. and both
stopped, as if the two men TO whom
hey belonged were in earnest converse.
we must get to the window whis- !
'ered. with an inquiring look.
by the terrace" said Nicholas, in
nswer, and as he spoke there came to
IS the faint but distinct sound of a
lorn. apparently from the very depths
{ the forest, and the notes reused
race of hounds in the courtyard. who
aged into the night. Nicholas gripped
ny arm, and | turned to him in sur
rise. His face was pale, he was shak-
~ all over like an aspen. and his black
yes were dilated with fear.
Ibid you hear that, rnonsieur7" he
aid. quickly.
"Diablel Whaf7 hear three diff
rent things-dogs, men and some one
lowing a horn"
Then you did hear 1.-THE horn?"
-Yes. What of it? No doubt a pos4
/ its way TO Anet."
mo post ever rang that blast. mon
eur. That is the Wild Huntsman. and
e blast means death" Ii
As he spoke it came again, wild and :
rill with an eerie flourish. the like of :
hich had never heard before. The !;
gs seemed TO go mad with the sound.
ere was a hubbub in the COURTYARD.
d SOME one in the chamber above the \
rrace threw open the sash and peered .
t into the night. ! thought at first it I
Is de Gomeron; but the voice was not b
), for, after looking for moment, be e
We a quick order to the men below +,
d stepped in again. h
rhe men rode by rs slowly. one OF
I'm Carrying . torch, and, taking q n
N to the right. trotted on into the k
est cursing the orders they had re- h