The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-10

were sowned after the latest European
patterns and the men. except those OF
the army, wore clothes almost as smart
as those which covered the Americans.
Miss Guggenslocker-or whatever her
name might be-and her carriage compan-
ion were as exquisitely gowned as any
women to be seen on the boulevards or III
Hyde Park of an afternoon.
II was late in the afternoon when they
returned 10 the hotel. After dinner, dur
ing which they were again objects OF In
terest, they strolled of toward the castle,
smoking their cigars and enjoying the
glorious air Being a stranger In
strange land. Lorry acted on the romantic
painters advice and also stuck revolver
in his pocket. He laughed at the sug-
gestion that there might be use for the
weapon in such quiet. model. well-regu-
lated town. but Anguish insisted:
I've seen a lot of these fellows around
town who look like genuine brigands and
cutthroats. and 1 think 1t just as well
that we be prepared" asserted he, posi-
lively, and his friend gratified what he
called a within.
At 10 o'clock the slender moon dropped
behind the mountain, and the valley,
which had been touched with its tender
light, gradually took on the somberness
8nd stiffness of starlit night The
town slumbered at II. and there were
but few lights to be seen on the streets
or in the houses. Here and there strOlied
the white uniformed police guards; occa-
sionally soldiers hurried barracks-ward;
once in a while belated citizens moved
through the dense shadows on the side
walks, but the Americans saw still life
IN its reality. Returning from their stroll
beside the castle walls, far to the west
OF where they had entered the grounds
that afternoon. they paused in the mid
Ole of Castle avenue, near the main gate,
and looked down the dark, deserted
street. Far away could be seen the faint
glare from their hotel; one or two
street lamps burned in the business part
of the city; aside from these evidences
of life there was nothing but darkness,
silence, peacefulness about them every
where.
Think of Paris or New York at II
o'clock" said Lorry, trifle awed by the
solitude of the sleeping city.
Its as dead as piece OF prairie land
said his friend. lead. 1t makes me
mile to the hotel, too. Lorry. We'd bet
ter move along"
Lets lie down near the hedge, smoke
another cigar and wait till midnight. 1t
Is too glorious night to be lost in Sleep"
urged 1 orry, whose heart was, light over
tie joys of the day to come. II can
dream just as well here. looking at that
dark old castle with its one little tower
light, 1 could il tried to sleep in
hard bed down at the HOTEL
Anguish, who was more or less OF a
dreamer himself, consented. and, after
lighting fresh cigars, they threw them
selves on the soft, dry grass near the
tall hedge that fenced the avenue as IL
neared the castle grounds. For half an
hour they talked by fits and starts: long
silences were common, broken only by
brief phrases which seemed so TO disturb
the one to whom they were addressed
that he answered gruffiy and not at all
politely. Their cigars, burnt to mere
stubs. were thrown away. and still the
waking dreamers stretched themselves
In the almost impenetrable shade of the
hedge, ore thinking of the face he had
seen. the other picturing in his artist eye
the painting he had vowed to create from
the moonlit castle of an hour ago.
Some one coming" murmured the
painter. half rising to his elbow atten-
tively.
Soldiers" said the other briefly.
They'll not disturb u.s..
They'll not even see us, should say.
It's as dark as Egypt under this hedge.
They'll pass II we keep quiet"
The figures of two men could be seen
ghostly in the semi-blackness of the
night, Like two thieves. the Americans
waited for them to pass. To their ex-
ceeding discontinue. however, the pedes-
TRANS halted directly In front OF their
resting place and seated themselves leis-
urely upon broad. fiat stone at the road
side. 1t was too dark to see whether
they were soldiers. Notwithstanding the
fact that they were less than fifteen feet
away.
He should be here at H." said one Of
the newcomers In low voice and In fair
ly good English. The other merely grunt-
ed. There was silence OF some duration,
broken by the first speaker.
"If this job fails and you are caught II
will mean years of servitude."
"But In that case we are to have ten
thousand gavvos apiece for each year we
lie In prison. It's fair pay-not only for
our failure, but for our silence" said the
other, whose English was more difficult
to understand.
Anguish's fingers gripped Lorry's leg,
but there was no sound from either OF
the thoroughly aroused dreamers. "a
plot, as 1 live." thought each, with a
thrill
1--WE must be careful to speak only In
English. There are not twenty people In
Edelweiss who understand 1t, but the
Geddos speaks II well. He should be
here" 1t was the first speaker who ut
tered these words. little knowing that he
had listeners other than the man to
whom he spoke.
A dark figure shot across the roadway
and, almost before the Americans were
aware of 1t, the party numbered three.
"Ah, Geddos, you are punctual."
81 have found 1t ever a virtue" re-
sponded the newcomer.
Have you secured your men?'
az have, your"
'sh! Call me Michael. on your life!
They are ready and willing to undertake
the venture?''
Eyes, but they do not understand the
true conditions. I have told them that We
are to rob the castle and carry the booty
to Ganlook before morning"
"They do no. know the real object OK
the raid. then. That Is as desired. Are
they trusty ana experienced menu"
"The best-or the worst-that I could
find in Vienna. Not one understands our
language. and they are so ignorant of our
town that they are entirely dependent on
me- They know nothing whatever of the
Princess. Michael. and will do only as