The San Francisco call., 1901-11-17

Isn't that some one approaching"
They strained their ears for moment
and then involuntarily, spasmodtcally
shook hands, each heaving the deep
breath of excitement The stealthy rustic
of moving bodies was heard, faint, but
positive 1t was moment of suspense
that would have strained the nerve of
stone image Where were the abductors?
On which side of the road. and from what
direction did they come? Oh. for the eyes
of cat!
There was a slight shuf1ing of feet near
the gate. a suppressed "Shi" and then
deathly silence. The gate opened. faint
creaking attesting the fact. followed by
the heavy breathing Of men, the noise Of
subdued activity. the scent of chloroform.
Some whispering. and then the creaking
of the gate.
They've gbne." whispered Anguish.
Lorry's form arose to crouching pos-
ture. and a moment later he was cross
ing the read with the tread of cat,
his can gripped firmly in his hand.
Anguish followed with drawn
volver. So still was their approach that
they We're upon the figure of man before
they were aware of the fact. In the dark
ness the foremost American saw the out
line of human figure bending over
long object on the ground. He could
smell chloroform strongly and grasped
the situation. The Viennese was admin
istering the drug, his companions having
left that duty for him to perform. No
doubt the treachercus guardsman was "
ing calmly on his back. bound and gagged.
welcoming unconsciousness with smile
of security.
AS soon as Lorry gained his bearings
fully he prepared to fell the wretch who
was to stand watch. Anguish heard his
friends figure suddenly shoot to an erect
position. A whirring sound as of dis
turbed air and then a dull thud. Some
thing rolled over on the ground and all
was still He was at Lorry's side in an
instant.
81 hope haven't killed him" whispered
Lorry Quick Here is his bottle of
ether Hold it beneath his nose. am
going to pile the body of this guard cross
wise on top of him. He will not be able
10 rise if he should recover conscious
ness.
All this was dcne in moments time
and the two trackers were headed for the
entrance The gate was aiar two or three
feet. With turbulent hearts they stole
through.
Keep close along the wall" whispered
Lorry. land trust to luck. The castle is
to the left"
Without hesitation they crept over the
noiseless grass. close beside the wall. Di-
rectly they heard sounds near at hand.
The abductors We're binding and chloro-
forming the guard at the arbor. After
waiting for some moments they heard the
party glide away in the darkness and fol-
lowed The body OF the guard was lying
Just outside the mouth of the arbor and
the odor of chloroform was almost over
powering. Once inside the long arbor the
Americans moved slowly and with greater
caution There was dim light in a base
rnent window ahead. Toward the front
of the castle and in the second story a
faint glow came from another window
They guessed it to be from the Princess
room or from that of the Countess.
At last they saw four figures steal past
the dim basement light One of them
halted near the window and three crept
away in the darkness. Presently one CT
them returned and all activity was at
an end for the time being. How near IL
was to O'Clock the watchers could not
tell They only knew that they were
within twenty five feet of Geddos and
Ostronl. and that they would not have
long to wait.
Soon a bright little blaze of light crossed
the basement opening. Then 1t returned
crossing second time. and third All
was still again. The soft shuttle of a foot,
the rustic of arbor vines, and the form
of a man crawled up to the window. With
inconceivable stealth and carefulness it
glided through the aperture, followed by
his companion.
Lorry and Anguish were at the opening
a second or two later. lying fiat on their
stomachs and listening for sounds from
within. The dim light was still there the
window was open and there was sound
of whispering. Lorry raised his head and
peered through, taking calculations while
the light made it possible. He saw an
open door on the opposite side of the low
room, with steps beyond. leading upward.
Between the window and the door there
were no obstacles. Up those steps he
saw three men creep, the leader carrying
the dim light. The door was left open,
doubtless to afford unimpeded exit from
the building in case of emergency. Harry
Anguish touched Lorry's arm
II took the two pistols from that Wen :
ma man out there. We may need them.
Here is one for yourself. Go first, Lorry,"
he whispered.
Lorry stuck the revolver in his coat
pocket and gently slid through the win
dow to the floor below. His friend fol-
lowed. and they paused to listen. Taking
Anguish by the hand the other led the
way straight to the spot where he remem-
bered seeing the door.
Boldly the two men began the breath
less ascent of the stone steps. The top
was reached and far ahead down mar
row hall they saw the three men and the
dim light moving. Two of them woro
uniforms of guards Keeping close to the
wall their followers crept after them. Up
another flight of steps they went, and
then through a spacious hall. The Amer
leans had no time and no desire to inspect
their surroundings. The wide doors at
the far side of the room opened softly
and here the trio paused. Down great
marble hallway dim red light shed it's
soft glow. 1t came from the lamp at the
foot of the broad staircase.
The cook pointed to the steps and then
gave his thumb a jerk toward the left.
Without the least sign of fear Ged-
dos and Ostrom glided into the hall and
made for the staircase. The watchers
could not but feel a thrill Of admira-
ton for those daring wretches. But now a
new danger confronted them. The cook
remained standing in the doorway watch
ing his fellows in crimel How were they
to pass him?
There was no time to be lost. The alb
ductors were creeping up the steps al
ready and the cook must be disposed Of