The Red Cloud chief., 1901-08-30
CHAPTER XII.
HCram Is Gagged.

| nhu cIOSeu Nn0 DOIted the door Denint
them, Selin went on ahead with tn,
lantern. They were armed with goot
stout swords, and the blacks wor,
daggers IN their sashes.
In what direction must we pas,
ouf?' asked Julian, as they came t.
the end Of the first valuted passage
I'VE must pass up where a guard Il
always kept" answered Osmir; land
our only hope is that we may be able
to fall upon the sentinels. and over
come them, without creating disturb.
ance enough for q general alarm
Whatever can be accomplished by
strength of arm, we will accomplish
said the robber; ''and I think we can
be shrewd enough not to strike until
We see that the blow shall fall sure
ly."
you can depend upon u.s." added
Osmir. stopping while Selim opened a
door. we have already placed our
lives In jeopardy, and only a success
full exit from the palace can now a v
us. But, as ! told you before. there
Is danger In the way"
You have counted the c~hances?"
Yes" .
And are you ready to bide the re-
sult?"
Yes"
Then let us meet the worst II
you, to set me free. are ready for the
iisk. ] should be much more So"
At this 5uncture Sellm, who had
opened "a door, and gone on a few
steps in advance, came hurriedly back,
with a look Of alarm in his face.
II hear footsteps in the passage
overhead" he said, in n whisper.
Are you sure?" -,
Yes. heard them very plainly"
What is the passage Of which you
speak," asked Julian.
1T Is n through which we must
pass" replied Osmir, and one in
which we had expected to find no OBJ
stacle."
1t may be- suggested Selim. that
q new guard has been set there"
That cannot be-" asserted Osmir. 81
came through there only a short time
since, ana the place was empty. Hark
Il hear the steps from here-and I
think they are coming this way. Hold.
a moment. Remain where you are,
and ! will find what this means"
Thus speaking. Osmir glided away
into the darkness, towards the point
where the stairs led down from the
upper passage. After an absence OF a
few minutes he returned, and his first
exclamation told thar he was excited.
THE king Is coming"
THE king!" repeated Julian. in a
quick, deep whisper.
"Yes-and two of his guards are
with him. Some one else came as far
as the mead of the stairs with them,
but ] think only the king and the
guards are descending"
He must be coming to see me-" said
Julian.
~ must be So" answered Osmir;
for tit'e is nothing else here for him
to see, save pare damp walls and
tOads."
"Hark. Here they come. | hear
their voices, and can see where the
rays Of their lantsrn breaks in the
gloom" II was SsIiin Who said this.
and as he spoke he drew back, and hid
his own lantern beneath the skirt OF
his tunic. ~ !
Our adventurers, from where they
stood. could see the foot OF the steps
at the far end Of the passage; and,
presently they saw two men descend,
the foremost one bearing q lantern,
and wearing the robes OF the king.
while the other seemed to be an of
fcer OF the household.
Il see now.' said Osmir, as he gain
ed a view of the approaching men.
Il was mistaken. The guards have
been left behind, and this Is Benoni.
one OF the captains OF the guard. who
comes with the king"
The robber chieftain was for a mo-
ment undecided as to the course he
should pursue. Once his sword was
half drawn from it's scabbard; hut
Osmir, who heard the movement.
seemed to have a better idea.
MY master" he whispered, touch
Ing Julian upon the arm, "let us draw
back out OF sight, and allow them to
pass. They will certainly keep on to
the dungeon we have left, and we will
follow them thither."
"fou are right" replied the chief
tain. They will be completely In our
power when they have passed u.s."
Just back OF where our trio stood
was the door by which they had last
passed. and upon side was a deep
niche In the wall, which had evidently
been constructed for thu reception OF
rubbish. Into this they quickly glided
Selim SO efectually cloaking his Ian
tern that not a ray OF light escaped
In a little while the king m neaI
to he hiding place. with his lantern
held carefully before him. and his head
bowed, as though he was fearful that
he might make a misstep. He walkct
slowly. and his frame shook with
perceptible tremor. When he rerchet
1hA I@-- - A.