Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-11-15
]. yes..' painted Jacinta. SIS the

NO. think ne means 10 carry OUT
his contract but it is impossible for
him to succeed. BY crouching at the
sliding panel we can hear all that Is
said in the council room. Gomez was
there with Francisco. Gomez seemed
to think Francisco would play him
false and allow your father to escape.
The men that Francisco picked to form
the firing squad were friends OF his
own, and Gomez thought it looked sus-
piciOus. But Gomez seemed at last to
be treasured by Francisco, and they
talked or other matters. But Francisco
had no sooner left than Gomez sent
for an officer, to whom he gave this
order: The officer is to take some
men and lie hidden near the spot where
the execution is to take place. II your
father is not shot by Francisco he Is
to be shot by the others"
"Oh!" sobbed Jacinta. 'sThen there
Is no hope for my poor father:"
II want to help him escape said
Medworth. Have you not thought of
the secret passage?"
Eyes, we have thought Of it: but to
what purpose? My father says the en-
envy were there, and drove our men
who were to blow up the castle from
the place."
mo; that was Tempest and myself.
We alone know the secret
is it SO? All, but what good is It to
know that? An armed guard is just
outside our door, and no other room
connects with the secret passage but
a 1ihroru 81 Il
dash for liberty, they would discover
his retreat, and all would be lost"
"Can these bars be wrenched out?'
asked Medworth, placing his hand on
one.
No replied Jacinta; and as il to
test their strength with them, she
placed her hand above his, touching it.
At the contact another thrill set her
young heart to fluttering.
Then in some way he must be as
sisted" said Medworth. "The secret
passage must be reached"
II can suggest nothing said the
girl. Francisco was my only hope
How many guards are there?" he
asked.
"One." she replied.
Listen. You are not far from the
library."
''-1o. The distance from that door to
this is not great"
Then will go back. creep up to the
sliding panel, and see if any one is in
the library. If there is no one, will
endeavor to fasten the door. Is there a
lock "
Eyes. We always kept the key hang
ing near the door-on the right
Good. If it is there still, will lock
the door and bring the key to you.
That will keep others out, and your
father will know the coast is clear. Or
| course, if they come and find it locked
there will be an uproar, and we shall
| be defeated, but so we should be if
any one went into the room unknown
! to u.s.
''Not if my father was armed" said
Jacinta. eff there was only one.'
"No, that is true enough. Better take
| the chance then with the door open.
But I must go to see if there is any
one there, and to get a pistol for your
| father. My own is in the secret pas
sage. Your father must be Informed
OF the plan while am gone. When
return, he must in some way attract
the attention of the guard, get him in
side the room and silence him before
| he has time to give the alarm. Then
| you can all three escape to the secret
passage. I will meet you there When
you are safe in the caverns we can plan
further" and Medworth was gone.
The trembling girl lost no time In
acquainting her father with the details
of Medworth's plan. While he listened
to her grim smile played around the
| old warriors mouth.
| "a brave YOUTH" he said. 1--WE will
see how his plan can be made to
work."
(To be continued.)
| ITALY GIVES US A HINT.