The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-08-10

but little, only one or two tracks
being visible from the gate to tho
house.
"Ah-yes-~you said--what ?"
II said this place didn't seem TO
be used much, the youth repeated,
though he was sure the fellow heard
the first time.
"Ah, yes--a-the usual entrance
is the other way, by the sledge
path"
"And where is that'r Ruric ask
ed, not being able to see any such
path.
"oh, it's around on the other
side"
BY this time they had reached the
door of the house, which onr hero
could now see had an old, dilapidat-
ed appearance, and the guide piled
the iron knoeker with zeal Ere
long a man made his appearance
with lantern in his hand.
"Ahl Has the gunmskcr cone?"
the latter asked.
Eyes" returned the guide.
"Well, Pm glad les here, but I
don't believe 0rsa IS ~ to move"
said the first speaker. And then,
turning TO Ruric, he said
but I'm glad you've come, sir,
for the lieutenant wishes to see you.
very much This way, sir" i
This was all so frank and prompt
that the Young man began to think
he had been fool for being fright
cned. He followed the man with
the lantern into the hall, and from
thence down a long flight of stairs
into a basement. The lantern did
not give much light, bat ii was suli
cient to reveal the fact that the
house was au old one and not very
large, for Rumc could see windows
upon the opposite side of the hall
which looked ont Of doors AS he
reached the foot OF the stairs be
found himself upon a brick floor,
and he saw the walls were of stone.
A little farther on door was open
ed, and this led 10 small apart
ment, within which was a fireplace
and a good fire burning.
"There, good sir, said the sec
ond guide, IL you will wait few
moments ] viii 20 and sec how the
lieutenant il
AS soon az Ruric was left alone
he looked about him lho room
was of moderate size for a small
house, and the idea Of nhahiting
the cellar was common one in
Moscow during the winter season
The Windows, two in number, were
close up TO the ceiling and worry
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 tie youth recognized as Che
individual who had conducted him
TO the house
"Orsa wil see Won, SIR said lie
with the lantern
Ruric arose to follow bin, the
other three MEN approaching the
fire as though thoy vonId remain
there. lie had reached the door
and passed through into the room
beyond when he Thought he heard
footsteps behind him lit was a slid
ing. shutting sound, and he turned
his head TO see what ii was As be
did so he received a blow which
staggered him and which would
have felled an ordinary man 10 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 be
threw the fellow who held his right
hand back against the wall, aud an
other he sent in an opposite dircc-
ton, and in Il moment more he
would have been upon his feet, but
Just at That instant moose was
adroitly slipped over his head, and
as the rope tightened about bis
neck he was drawn back upon the
brick floor again
"Now, resist any moro, and we'l
choke You as sure As fatcw cried the
man who had held ihe lantern aud
now had a hold upon The rope
ooh" rroaned Ruric, while the
massive cords worked like cables in
his arms and shoulders, give ne a
fair chancel let me mp and free
then lock your doors, Il Won pleaselv
NO, no. good Sir" replied The
ruiliap, with q wicked smile. eve
know your power. and we are net
I,a,,4.,,l ~ taHf ~ ft9rts, w, lnv.