The Holly chieftain., 1901-10-25

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held carefully before him. and his head
bowed. as though ,he was fearful that
-he might make q misstep. He walked
slowly, and his frame shook with .
perceptible tremor. When, he reached
the door he stopped. and turned TO-
wards his companions.
"Benoni." he said, 81 think You may
remain here. This IL the last passage,
and will 90 the rest Of the way
alone"
Il had better accompany you to the
end, sire" u
"No-I prefer to 90 alone"
But" urged the captain. "the way
10 rough and dubious, and you may
miss your step"
"out upon thee for an asst" cried the
king. Indignantly "Do you think my,
step In growing feeble? tell thee 1t
was never stronger. will go the rest
Of the way AZ have said. l shall md
Selim at the door of the dungeon, and
he will render me such assistance as
may need there. must see this pris-
oner alone. He possesses q secret
which must fathom before he loses
his head"
"r beg thee, sire. be careful"
Peace. good Benoni. Don't fret on
my account. know what I do. I'll
ind out the story of this robbers life,
and then his head shall come OF right
quickly. Stay you here. and await my
return"
Thus speaking. the king moved on,
and when the sound Of his uncertain.
stumbling football could be no longer
heard, Julian reached forth until his
hand touched one of his companions
who IL this?" he asked, in hush
ed whisper. 1t was Selim.
There is NO time to lose. The cap
tain must. be disposed of quickly. I'm
cover your lantern, and I will throttle
him" fs
Selim did az directed, and as soon as
the rays of light fell upon the captain,
the latter started to gaze about him.
But his free-wil movements were
quickly terminated by blow from the
first Of the robber chieftain, which
felled him to the door. and before he
could move or cry out, he was securely
bound, and Osmir's sash passed over
his mouth.
| s.Now," cried Julian, "for the king.
He Will be an easy subject to dispose
Of"
"And how will you dispose Of him?"
asked Osmir.
For an instant dark thought strug-
gled through Julian's mind. Here was
an opportunity to put his worst enemy
out Of the way, and, at the same time,
free the world from ruler who had
ceased to do Justly. But the thought
was not long entertained. The soul
Of the chieftain was above the doing
of such q deed. Osmir noticed the
hesitation, and tremblingly asked:
'Will you kill him!"
"No, no." was the quick reply. "That
would be too cowardly. He is poor
foolish old man, whose continued life
must be the greatest curse. We will
put him where he put me, and lot his
slaves md him after we are gone.
Come-1 will lead to this event, and
then you shall lead to the next"
Without further remark the robber
moved on towards the dungeon where
he had been confined. Selim going by
his side with the lantern. Pretty soon
they saw the king ahead Of them
whereupon selim was suffered to go on
In advance. Horam had reached the
door Of the dungeon just 40 Selim
came up.
"Ha, selim, is this you?''
eyes, sire"
II did not see you when r came
Where have you been hiding?"
II have not been hiding. sire; but
have been doing my duty"
And the prisonerf"
HE is safe"
"open the door. would speak with
him. He II securely chainedl".
"No mortal man can break the
chains wherewith he was bound. sire. "
"Then open-quick His arms are
bound!"
Like iron. sire"
"And he cannot move from hia
placer
"The chains all center upon the bolt
in the hoor."
Then you may remain without. Be-
lin. wish to speak With the prisoner
alone"