The Holly chieftain., 1899-02-17

lnlS IS COurOnne, NJ. uc AsSAe ecnarger.
"Couronnel l thought so. And how
the devil do you come by herr"
"Her reins were in the wind when
caught her, fair prize of war, and NJ.
de Rome will never need her more. Since
1 got her she has saved me twice, and IL
can help 1t we shall never part"
He stroked the mares sleek neck, wet
and glistening with the dew and, quick
ly mounting, swung her round to the
bit and laid her beside me. TWAS not
the time for talk, and we drew out of the
clearing in single file. and, after forcing
our way through the wet and shining
leaves around us, found bride path.
Along this my guide went at trot.
Nicholas suddenly pulled up and held
out a warning hand.
what is it?" asked, in a low tone.
"Histi" he said. and then in rapid
whisper: "Another so yards and we
come to the open. Anet lies before US,
and the rest of the way must be done
on foot"
"And the horses?"
"Fasten them here. You have pick
citing roper"
"Yes-round the neck OF the horse"
"Good. l had not noticed II 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. If 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. If
go down. ride northwards for your lfe.' =
"How the devil am l to find my way
through the trees?"
Nicholas shrugged his shoulders as
IL to say, shat was my affair"
We had gone too far to 60 back. how.
ever, and placing my pistol in my bel,
and loosening my sword In its sheath
followed Nicholas with cautious foot.
steps. As he said, in about 50 yards we
came to the open, and halted close to n
huge .Ioak, bald of all leaves, with Its
gnarled trunk riven and scared by
lightning. Before us level stretch o.
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 o small is
land. on which was set a 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
nbove q 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 IT,
and lifting chorus came to our ears.
Inch by inch we crept onward, keep
ing well in the shadow, and edgng our
way round the frills Of the forest ]
could hear Nicholas breathing hard,
and from time to time he stopped to
rest; but I was glad man to find
was not winded, and that therefore I
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
watched. Sometimes we saw shadow
moving backward and forward in the
light of the window. then the shadow
was Joined by another, and both
stopped. as II the two men to whom
they belonged were in earnest converse.
I'VE must get to the window" whis-
pered. with an inquiring look.
by the terrace" said Nicholas, in
answer. and as he spoke there came to
MS the faint but distinct sound of n
horn. apparently from the very depths
OF the forest, and the notes reused n
brace of hounds in the COURTYARD. who
bayed into the night. Nichols gripped
my arm. and I turned to him in sur
prise. His face was pale, he was shak-
ing nll over like an aspen. and his black
eyes were dilated with fear.
"Did You hear that, monsieur" he
said. quickly.
"Diable! What2 l hear three diff
ferent things-dogs. men and some one
blowing horn"
Then you did hear 1.-THE horn?"
"Yes. What OF it? No doubt pos,
on its way to Anet."
mo post ever rang that blast mon
sicur. That is the Wild Huntsman, and
the blast means DEATH"
As he spoke II came again, wild and
shrill with an cerie flourish, the like of
which I had never heard before. The
dogs seemed to go mad with the sound.
there was hubbub in the courtyard.
and some one in the chamber above the
terrace threw open the sash ndpeered
out into the night. Thought at first II
was de Gomeron; but the voice was pot
his, for. after looking for Z mosent. he
gave . quick order to the mer below
aud stepped in again.
tro Bn coxrsxurpl
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