The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-12
very well, then, monsieur, thanks.
and will take it up myself"

very well, then, monsieur, thanks,
and will take it up myself"
"You need not trouble. am going
up, and will take 1t with me-"
With these words took the ladder
folded in long loops in my hands and
went back to the turret. There spent
good hour or SO in reexamining it, and
splicing one or two parts that seemed
trifle weak, at the same time keeping
wary eye on who passed and repassed
the street, without, however. discover
ing anything to attract attention.
Finally the woman brought up my din
ner, and managed to eat after fash
ion, but made more play with the
Beaugency, which was mild and Of
good vintage. When the table was
cleared 1 sat still for about half an hour
or SO, playing with my glass, and then
rising saw that my door was securely
fastened in such manner that no one
could effect an entrance. except by
bursting the lock. This being done 1
removed my boots, and unslung my
sword, keeping my pistols, however, in
my belt, and after good look round to
aged to loop the ladder round the
gargoyle, and then tested it once more
with long pull. The silk held well
enough, but the stonework of the gnr-
goyle gave and fell with heavy crash
into the fosse below. 1t was narrow
business, and it was well l had tried the
strength Of the cord again. looked
out from the window cautiously to see
II the noise had attracted any atten-
tion, and found, to my satisfaction, that
It had not. After allowing little time
to elapse, SO as to be on the safe side
l attempted to throw the looped end
l had made to tb> ladder, SO that 1t
might fall over parapet between
two embrasures, it discovered, aft
er half q dozen C. IS, that this was not
feasible from wh.re I stood. Then I
bethought me of my boyhood's train
ing amongst the cliffs that overhung
the bay of Auriac. and, stepping out
on to the ledge OF the window, man.
aged, with an effort, to hold on to the
stump of the gargoyle with one hand,
and balancing myself carefully, for
slip meant instant death, flung the
loop once more, and had the satisfac-
tion OF seeing it fall as I desired.
Without any further hesitation put
my foot on the rungs and in minute
more was lying on my face behind the
parapet, and thanking God had made
the effort, for before me was n large
skylight, half open, from which could
command view of the interior of one
room at least of the Toison dor, and
by which it might be possible to eff
feet an easy entrance. Before going
any further, however, glanced round
me to see how the land lay and was de-
| lighted to find that ] could not be OBJ
served from the opposite side of the
street, ms the portion of the house
was on was concealed from view by the
| gabled roof, that rose about ten feet
from me, leaving me in sort Of long bal
cony. Now that think OF it this roof
must have been an afterthought on the
part of the builders. Then was but too
thankful to find it existed, and had no
time for reflections. By turning my
head l could see, too, that the high
wall that shut in the mouth OF the pas
sage was evidently raised as barrier
between the street and the fosse which
took bend and ran Immediately be-
low the wall. After lying perfectly
still for little, slowly pushed myself
forward until at last was beneath the
skylight, and then raising myself eau
tiously I peeped in.
fro BE Continued