The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-12-14

Lars began to play the inquisitor
again. His methods were directness
itself. He presented each query at the
point of the knife, and the others jerk
ed out replies with unwilling swift
ness. BY these means he learned in
very short space of time that seven
servants slept on the top story, that
Paul Preobeslas had the room that
fronted on the top Of the staircase-the
colonel ground his teeth; the room had
been Hilmar's-and that besides him
and the lieutenant in charge of the sol
diers no other person was in the house.
Having gained this information, n
select party, consisting of Desmond,
Barr, the colonel and half a dozen sail
ors, set out to verify matters. The
others, with rifles loaded sat down
with much content before the guard
room fire to warm their stiffened
limbs.
The dreams of Paul Preobeslas were
sweet. The roseate probabilities of
| the future danced in fantastic eXag-
geration through his brain. He saw
himself powerful with his new gotten
wealth, confirmed in his stewardship
Of his outlaw Cousins estates, moving
on by cautious steps to the satrapy of
Skelligen, viceroy at last of Finland,
honored and supreme in the councils of
the White Gar. Some outside infiu-
ence moved against his domination.
There was 4 revolution. The Films,
dashed to fury, were about his path.
Their knives cleaned against him. He
y II inc f11r,i
GUS mob desiring his life. He wres-
tied furiously against them, beating
off their desperate grasp. The mag
mary swept into the real. He awoke
gaining consciousness of present peril
The influence of his dream still cloud
ed upon his brain. Was this indeed
the bowling turmoil that desired his
blood? St PAUL They were silent
now, but no less grim.
He twisted his head from side to
side. Something held it level with
the pillow. He blinlzed upon his cap
tors. HeavenI They were of no flesh
and blood. There, heading them, stood
that dog of an Englishman whom he
had murdered two days back. In the
veriest extremity of fear a scream
the empty passages and across the
courtyard.
A hand was planted on his mouth.
mo noise," said fierce voice, and q
bayonet point danced before his eyes.
"Where does the lieutenant sleep?"
demanded the same voice imperiously,
and the hand was removed.
"My Godv muttered the bound
wretch as he recognized the colonel
How in the name of all the devils
''Silencev' said Preobeslas sharply
Answer only my question"
"Here-beside me-in the mex,
ROOM" stammered the fear stricken
poltroon. But you are not going to-
"Going to murder him? No, my arch
scoundrel," said the colonel, with furi-
Gus sarcasm, though no doubt that's
the course which would lend itself to
your approval" And he turned away
with u gesture of disgust, toward the
door that led into the next room.
Before he reached it it opened. a
young man stood before him, staring
with unutterable amazement Then
like flash the meaning of the situa.
ton broke upon him. The door slam.
med resoundingly, and the bolt could
be heard shooting home.
"Down with itv' bawled Desmond
savagely. Don't let him escape
He'll get word to Osbrog and bring
the cavalry upon u.s." And he flung
himself upon the door, hammering al
I it thunderously. Half dozen Eng
/, lish fists smote beside him, and with q
crash the door shot from its hinges
and gave crashingly into the room be
You'd. 1t was empty, but through
another open doorway a long passage