CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1901-09-12

could now see had an old, dilapidat-
ed appearance, and the guide piled
the iron knocker with zeal. Ere
long man made his appearance
with a lantern in his hard
"Ah. Has the gunmaker come 2"
the latter asked.
"ies," returned the guide.
"Well, I'm glad he's here, but l
DON'T believe Orsa is fit to move,"
said the first speaker. And then,
turning to Ruric, he said:
'But Pm glad you've come, sir,
for the lieutenant wishes to see you
Very much. This way, sir"
This was all SO frank and prompt
that the young man began to think
he had been fool for being fright
ened. He followed the man with
the lantern into the hall, and from
thence down a long flight of stairs
into basement. The lantern did
not give much light, but it was sufli-
Gent 10 reveal the fact that the
house was an old one and not very
large, for Ruric could see Windows
upon the opposite side of the hall
which looked out Of doors. As he
reached the foot of the stairs he
found himself upon brick floor,
and he saw the walls were of stone.
A little farther on door was open
cd, and this led TO small apart
ment, within which was a fireplace
and good fire burning.
'There, good SIR" said the sec
ond guide. ''if you will wait a few
moments l will 60 and see how the
lieutenant is"
As soon as Ruric was left alone
he looked about him. The room
was of moderate size for q small
house, and the idea of inhabiting
the cellars was common one in
Moscow during the winter season.
The windows, two in number, were
close up to the ceiling and very
small and were patched with pieces
OF board in two or three places.
Ere long the man came back, and
with him came three others, one of
whom the youth recognized as the
individual who had conducted him
TO the house.
"orsa will see you, sir" said he
with the lantern.
Ruric arose to follow him, the
other three men approaching the
FIRE as though they would remain
there. He had reached the door
and passed through into the room
beyond when he thought he heard
footsteps behind him. Ii was slid
ing. shutting sound, and he turned
his head to see what it was. As he
did so he received blow which
staggered him and which would
have felled an ordinary man to the
floor. He gathered himself quickly
up. but before he could fairly turn
about he received second blow,
heavier than the first, which
brought him upon his knees. In an
instant all four of the men were up
on him. and he could see that they
had ropes in their hands with which
to bind him. With all his might he
threw the fellow who held his right
hand back against the wall. and an
other he sent in an opposite dIrec-
ton, and in a moment more he
would have been upon his feet, but
just at that instant a moose was
adroitly slipped over his head. and
as the rope frightened about his
neck he was drawn back upon the
brick floor again.
"Now, resist any more, and well
choke you as sure as fate" cried the
man who had held the lantern and
now had hold upon the rope.
"Oh." groaued Ruric, while the
massive cords worked like cables in
his arms and shoulders. give me
fair chance, Let me up and free
then lock your doors, il you please"
mo, no, good SIR" replied the
ruilian. with a wicked smile. I'VE
know your power, and We are not
disposed to test it further. We have
had trouble enough already. Shall
we
The man stopped speaking, for at
that moment another moose was
slipped down over Ruric's head, and
ere he could avoid it it had been
drawn tightly about his arms. He
was now at the mercy of his captors,
and, having rolled him over upon
his breast, they proceeded to secure
his arms behind him, which, being
done. they babe him to rise. of
course he could have no desire to lie
there upon the cold bricks, and he