The Holly chieftain., 1899-02-24
CHAPTER v1.-coxr1xuEp.

-
them carrying a torch, and. taking u
turn to the right. trotted off into the
forest, cursing the orders they had re-
ceived to go forth after the horn
windcr.
"Now," whispered. "for the win
dow"
1--WE must get to the terrace" he an
swered. From there it might be DONE"
and with hurried look behind him, at
which began to laugh in low tone of
mcckery. he crawled forward rapidly.
followed with equal speed and eau
t:on. and in a half minute we had
working along it's UNCOVERED wall. got
TO the main building. Here we cast
obout for some means to get up. 1t
WAS not possible to do this by holding
on to the ivy, as, il it came away. there
would be fall, and all our fat would be
in the fire. The ascent had to be made
noiselessly, and as 1 looked ut the high
wall before us began to think 1t was
impossible. Running my eye on the
lichen-gray face OF the main building,
however, noticed something that
lookedl like series Of huge monograms,
with crescent above each. cut in high
relief on the stones, beginning about
ten feet from the ground.
1--WE might get up that way" whis-
pcred.
Nicholas nodded, with pale face. In
his excitement he had forgotten the
Wild huntsman, much to my satisfac-
ton.
bend, then. and will ascend from
your back"
He leaned forward against the wall,
and. climbing on his shoulders. l
found that might possibly raise my
self by the monograms, which discov-
cred to be the letters II. d. interlaced in
one another, the initials of the second
Henry and Diane de Poitiers; and the
crescent was, as is well known, Madame
Danes crest. Taking long breath, l
lifted myself slowly-there was but an
iEch or SO to hold on to-and at last
found crevice in which could put
the point of my boot. This was enough
for me to change my hold to the next
higher monogram, and finally came
3 to level with the parapet of the ter
race. Here was difficulty. Every time
stretched my hand out to grasp the
parapet found that could not reach
over. and that my fingers slipped off
from the slime and moss on the stones.
Three times made the attempt, and
swung back three times, until began
to feel that the effort was beyond me.
There wns, however, one chance. and,
quietly thrusting my boot forward, /
began to feel amidst the ivy for a pos
sibie foothold, and to my delight found
1t rest at once on small projecting
ledge that ran around the terrace. Tho
remainder OF my task was easy, and
the next moment found myself lying
dat on my face beneath the oriel win
dow.
Here paused to orecovCmyself, peer
ing down at Nicholas, who was making
an attempt to raise himself by his
hands to reach the monograms and
climb to me. Steady" l whispered.
"and catch this" Rapidly unwinding
silken sash wore round my waist, in
the fashion had learned when serving
inSpain, dropped one end toward him.
and after moment or two he managed
to seize 1t. Then looped fold Of the
silk around buttress Of the parapet,
and holding on to the other end told
Nicholas TO climb.
Now for the window" I said. II will
rise slowly and Hnd ont what can.
You keep your pistol ready, and your
eyes open-do NOT rise, and remember
my ORDERS"
There 10 broken pane to the left, Il
s. Aaif hidden BY the curtain--you can
hear and zee from there
~ he said this rose softly To my fest
And. finding tAs broken pans without
( nay di6aculty, peered In.
n room wss bright With ~ light d
lhsndles, and, - Z tabls, covered with
rapars, wefe seated two men, whilst !
shird was standing. and poln<ine viSh
Hi nngess at scroll. In the man With
Nj tact a me had no dincu4fy IN
ssccgnising d oomeron. ths one Ioelf-
lise toward ne waa assursdly BIron. far
~ ms Z face that oncs sssp could
1n1lF ~ toe0qsten. A. iee thenan w1ep
80 osdn6Ing baaide hin, ! kueW Nh
- sAengA ssstl \ I aasis H
"a !1.