The San Francisco call., 1901-12-22

may escape. It's not right, captain, it's
not right, and I'm going to stop it. How
soon can we leave this placer He was
pacing the floor, happy in the decision he
had reached, Notwithstanding the danger
it promised.
You are mad sir, to talk like this"
protested the other, despairingly. "Edel-
weiss swarms with Axphain soldiers; our
own men are on the alert to win the great
reward. You cannot go to the city.
When a safe time comes you will be ta-
ken from this place into the mountains
instead of through the city, and given
escort to Dassas, one hundred miles east.
That step will not be taken until the way
is perfectly clear. I tell you, sir, you
cannot hope to escape if you leave the
monastery now. The mountains are full
of soldiers every night"
Il didn't say anything about an escape,
did 1? On the contrary. I want to give
myself up to her. Then she can have
Gabriel thrown over the castle wall and
say to Bolaroz, Here is your man; I've
gained the ten years of grace That's
the point, QuinnoX; can't you see it?
And 1 want to say to you now, I'm going
whether you consent or refuse. I'd just
a. soon be in Jail down there up here,
anyhow. The only favor I have to ask
of you is that you do the best you can
to get me safely to her. 1 must talk with
her before go back to the tower
''God help me, sir, 1 cannot take you
to her." groaned Quinnox, trying to con-
troll his nervous apprehension. "I have
sworn to her that 1 will keep you from
all harm, and it would be to break faith
with her if led you into that mob down
there"
Il respect your oath, my friend, but
am going, just the same. I'll see her,
If shoot who
attempts to prevent me. I'm desperate,
man, desperate! She's everything in the
world to me, and I'll die before I'll see
Ter suffer"
Quinnox calmly placed his hands on the
others shoulders, and, looking him in the
eye, said quietly
Her sufferinc now is as nothing COM
pared to what it will be if you go back
to the tower You forget how much
pain she is enduring to avoid that very
suffering. If you care for my mistress,
sir, add no weight to the burden she al
ready carries Remain here, as she de-
Gires. You can be of no service down
there l implore you to be conSiderate.
1t was an eloquent appeal and it
struck home. Lorry waVered, but his
resolution would not weaken. He argued
first with Quinnox, then with himself
finally returning to the reckless deter
herself The soldier begged him to
listen to reason, implored nm to recon-
slider, at last turning in anger upon the
stubborn American with torrent Oh
maledictions. Lorry heard him through
and quietly, unswervingiy announced that
ne was ready TO leave the monastery at
any time mis- guide cared to depart Quin-
nox gave up in despair at this, gazing
hopeiessly at the man he had sworn to
protect, who insisted on placing his head
in the lions jaw. He sat down at the
window and murmured dejectedly:
What will she say to me-Wnat Will
she say to meE
Il shall exonerate you, captain. She can
have no fault to find with your action
after 1 have told her how loyal you are
and how-how-Well, how unreasonable
am" said Lorry, kindly.
You may never live to tell her this.
sir Then what is to become of me? L
could not look her i'll the face again.
could only die
Don't be so faint hearted, Quinnox!'
cried Lorry, stimulated by the desire 20
be with her, recognizing obstacle that
might thwart him in the effort. We'll
get through, safe and sound, and We'll
vntangle a few complications before we
reach the end of the book. Brace up, for
Gods sake, for mine, for hers, for your
own. 1 must get to her before every
thing is lost. Ny God, the fear that she
may marry Gabriel will drive me mad If
1 am left here another night. Come! Let
us prepare to start. We must notify the
Abbot that L am to go. 1 can be ready
in five minutes. Ye gods, think of what
she may be sacrificing for me"
The distracted captain gloomily
watched the nervous preparations for
l. 11-p
as plainly as if it had already come upon
him. Lorry soon was attired in the
guards uniform he had worn from the
tower a month before. His pistol was in
his pocket, and the bunch of violets she
had sem to him that very night was
pinned defiantly above his heart. Quin-
nox smiled when he observed this bit of
sentiment and grimly informed him that
he was committing an act prohibited in
Dangloss's disciplinary rules. officers on
duty were rot to wear nosegays.
"Dangloss will not see my violets By
the way, the moon shines brightly,
doesn't it?''
'It is almost as light as day. Our trip
is made extremely hazardous for that rea-
son. 1 am sorely afraid, rash sir. that we
cannot reach the castle unseen"
I'VE must go about it boldly, that's
ALL"
HAS it occurred to you, sir, that you
are placing me in terrible position?
What excuse can I have. a captain of the
guard, for Sinking about at night with
a man whom l am supposed to be track
ing to earth? Discovery will brand me as
a traitor. l cannot deny the charge with
out exposing her Majesty"
Lorry turned cold. He had not thought
of this alarming possibility. But his
ready wit came again to his relief, and
with bright confident eyes he swept
away the obstacle.
"If discovered you are at once to pro-
claim me a prisoner. take the credit for
having caught me, and claim the re-
ward"
''In that case you will not go to the cas-
tie, but to the tower
mot If you obey orders. The offer of
rev ard says that I must be delivered to
the undersigned. You will take me to her
and not to the tower"
Quinnox smiled and threw up his hands
as IL unable to combat the quick logic of
his companion. Together they made their
way TO tho prior's CELL afterward to the
Abbot's apartment. II was barely II
o,nlocls and he had not retired He dlles-