Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-29
CHAPTER XI.

Rose He said his name was Raimonde,
. and that he had been sent by person
who was a friend both to himself and to
the missing girl.
The note required Louis to trust him
self Absolutely in the hands of the mes
senger For time he hesitated. Then
Shis anxiety led him to obey. He even
. consented TO be blindfolded. as the letter
had enjoined.
Under circumstances of less urgent
and exciting nature. Louis might have
paused to question the wisdom of his
course in wholly and unreservedly en-
trusting himself to the hands of an ut
ter stranger. Together they ontinued
their route. Raimonde paused saying:
> "Wil monsieur stand here an instant?
I / must move step forward. and mon
sicur must be very carefL. not to re-
move TIE handkerchief just yet"
He released his hand and left him.
Louis, standing still, heard a hash, graf
ing sound at little distance before him,
and a sound as of some person lifting a
heavy body.
Come. monsieur" said the voice of
Raimonde; take one step forward and
here is my hand. | am below you now.
You must stoop. Put your hand on my
shoulder-thus. Now, you know that you
stand on rock, from which | have
jumped. You must follow me--so; that is
it. Here we arer'
The grating noise was heard again
Then Louis was conducted oyer what
seemed TO be Il smooth and level path
of stq He had been admitted by
Raimonde through the rear entrance of
the cavern, and was passing now through
the long subterranean gallery in the rock.
Al length they paused again; noise
OF bolts and bars withdrawn. and a door
unelused, through which Louis was led
Then the handkerchief was united, the
door closed behind him. and taking off
8 the bandage from his eyes Louis found
himself in the cell Of Jacques
( Monsieur" uttered Jacques, spring
ing forward, so you are disguised. eh?
| did not know you at first"
You here, my good friend?" uttered
Louis, in establishment, looking about
him. What place is this?"
sh, not too loud, monsieur, il you
please. | told you | was prisoner-iid
/ not?'
Yes: bat such prison as this. And
Rose-~tell me where she is"
She is here also, monsieur--in IA cell
like this, and close by it,"
Jacques, so near me--and in danger?
Let me go instantly and deliver herr"
He was at the door, but Jacques
sprang to his side.
For PHYS sake, monsieur, be careful
or you win spoil all! Come here. en-
treat you, and listen to me. Rose is safe
at present. and il you are calm enough to
hear what | wish to say. and to act with
me, we may rescue her in ten minutes,
whereas such iinpetuous haste as yours
would ruin the scher1e.'
1t was plain enough. The count suf-
fered himself to be led to a seat at the
opposite side of the cell, and lis en- To
the explanation Of his companion. while
burning with eagerness to hasten to the
rescue OF Rose. jacques made brief
work of it, He began by relating the
story Of the abduction Of Rose. and the
plot that led to it. Louis was angered
and indignant beyond measure. ms he list
ened TO the account OF Gasparde's viii
lany.
Who is he-what is be. this wretch.
Gasparde he uttered, hotly.
The chief OF horde of brigands and
contrabandists, monsieur"
rs 1t possibIe!-and yet. why not? One
cannot b. surprised at hearing it of one
so base as he. And Rose is in his pow
err"
Not exactly. monsieur He brought
her hither, as | have told you, TO this
place, which is n cavern In the center
of the forest, aud after placing her in
the cell of which / have spoken. went
away with the men upon an expedition
from which they will not probably return
until midnight or tomorrow morning
When he comes back. he will either ex-
tort from her a promise to marry him, or
keep her confined in that cell, until she
pines to death; for he is just so merci-
less. He never has forgotten the treat
meut he once received at your hands, nor
the threats and rebukes of Hugh La
monte: and be has been watching ever
since for an opportunity Of revenge. 1t
is ours to dcp.iye him of that revenge"
Your ?lan--your plan. jacques
"The man who accompanied you hither
is the guard left by Gasparde He hns
procured for me an Interview with You;
bur ne never suspects that It is for the
.
for were we to escape. he knows that the
vengeance Of the leader would fall on
him, Now, we must either manage to
gain his silence by force or by bribe.
II we bind him. and leave him 'iere when
we leave the place, why, Gasparde will
shoot him when he comes back; but If a
sum of money were offered him. | have
an idea that he would not only suffer
his prisoners TO escape. hut also take
leave himself. since he has grown weary
OF the captains tyranny"
The bride. then--the bribe. bv all
meas said Louis, earnestly. II hap.
pen to have a considerable sum with me
but we must be cautious"
"Yes-yes. we must be cautious. as you
say: and in case he should refuse tn,
money we must be prepared to sprinl
upon him. \ cord for his hands ans
feet and gsg-that will do the business
Now, then, for the work | viii call hin
in Be prepared" And he called RAJ
monde.
The guard appeared. Jacques glance,
towards the count, and then sand:
"Comrsde. you don't forget. l sac:asc
the converse ion which we had At dinner
the agreement which We made abou
bidding adieu TO monsieur lc captainey 2
The glitter of gold caught Raimonde'
eye, from a heavy purse which the eoun
held careleSsly in his hand. His avaric,
was aroused.
Il remember it very well. Jacques" h
answered