Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-06-05
CHAPTER XII.-tContinued.)

so safe. joined recklessly in the insane
riot. The leaping, dancing fire Of fagots
glowed redly in the center of the cavern,
casting a ruddy light upon each Of those
dark. swarthy, unshorn countenanees,
grim and fierce, that clustered about il.
Higher and higher leaped the flames, and
more noisy grew the merriment Of the
brigands, till, finally, there came iull
in the wild tempest of mirth. One by
one grew less clamorous, slowly drows-
mess orercame them, and shortly every
man lay stretched upon the heaps OF
SANS that covered the cavern floor, IN
torpor, even TO Gasparde himself.
With ca t-like caution, light tread de-
scended the rough-hewn steps; dark
form was visible by the red glow of the
smoldering embers; slowly and carefully
down from the mouth il came. pausing
at each step, aud Raimonde's eyes gianc-
ed from face 10 face of those sleepers.
He had been watching ever since this
noisy reye con. menced, and now W the
time come wheI,, without guard or ateh-
er the way wal left clear for him.
Stealing noise4essly in. he scattered up
IN the dying embers, from a small par
rel in his hand, fine powder that eaus-
ed a light cracking sound as it fell
among them, and almost Immediately
c nd of thin white vapor arose, spreading
and circling till it filed the entire cav
ern. and a curious odor. faint. yet over
towering, was perceptibly proceeding
from it, Raimonde, holding a handker-
chief to his face, waited some five or ten
minutes, then, approaching the senseless
form of Gasparde, dexterously removed
h.a hnlE his lar
the ponderous keys that belonged to the
cells.
Safe enough now. monsieur lie capt.
taine, Ill VIZ rrantr' he muttered, with
a low ehucke. You should be a little
less careless. All people are not as hon
est as )urself!'
Swiftl.f and quietly he traversed the
gallery leading to the cells and opened
the first door. 1t CHANGED to be the one
in which the count was confined. Louis
heard the heavy key turning in the
wards; he looked to see Gasparde. But
it was a careful hand TINT uhclcsed the
door, and silently into the cell stepped
RamOnde.
Hist be quiet, monsieur lie compile"
he whispered, as Louis, recognizing him,
sprang 10 his feet, with halrsupnress-
ed exclamation Of surprise; do not
speak. | have come to give you your
ibertyw
my liberty. Raimonde. Where are
the brigands? Where is Gasparde?"
Sound asleep, monsieur; and / have
some reason to believe they won't wake
In hurry. i have given them something
to help. Here-I will take off these Jew
els of yours l dare say you won't be
sorry to be rid Of them" And STOPPING
down, he unlocked and knocked off the
letters Of the count.
Ten thousand thanks, Raimonde" ex-
claimed Louis warmly. But how did
you know we had been retaken?7
II had returned to the cavern to get
something which | bad left here. mon
sienr and was going away again. when
We saw the men coming back with you
and Jacques. You were in a swoon,
suppose, for it took two or three to carry
you. We had some ado to get out Of
their way-Miehel and Without being
seen. | watched, afterwards while they
were carousing around the FIRE, and stole
In. They are quiet enough now. Come.
monsieur; but stop moment | see you
will need something more than what you
wear now. | will come back in a mo-
ment'
He left the cell, aud directly returned.
carrying a bundle of garments very much
like those Louis was accustomed TO wear
in his excursions about the coun try. The
young man lost no time in assuming
them, and then left the cell with his com
panion, How his heart leaped. What
a thrill ran through him rs he felt that
he was once more at liberty.
Raimonde's next step WAS to liberate
Jacques. The poor fellow was almost
beside himself with joy. and only the alb
solute need OF silence kept him from Civ
ing unhounded expression to his delight
Stepping cautiously among the extend
ed forms of the drugged slumbercrs. the
three rapidly assembled to the entrance,
sprang out upon til forest soil and sped
RAPIDLY and silenyy away in the early
dawn. Cool and fresh the morning wind
came to the brows of these men, 80 lately
prisoners, and 1t was like the benediction
of an angel. For some distance they
pursued their way together, and then
Raimoude paused.
Now, monsieur le compile. | will leave
you, as l wish TO strike OFF to the right
here l should like to have jacques 20
with me-"
"Well--well; then bid you adieu." re-
turned the count, warmly, gras; ing his
hand; and | trust we shall meet again,
when | may offer you more adequate
reward for your services than you re-
ceived last night. | thank you thou
sand times my friend"
Aud they separated. Raimonde and
Jacques taking right-hand direction.
and Louis keeping the path to the cha
teau.
suddenly, as he advanced. some object
upon the ground attracted his attention.
Picking it up, he found it H. I've a little
tiny slipper. II was one Of hers. He
had seen her wear 1t often. He ga2ed
upon il for moment with feelings Of un-
utterable emotion, and then placed il in
his breast.
Poor little Rose he murmurei ten
derby; ''whe-e are you nowt"
With the little relic safe in his breast,
nc pressed on. Soon he observed that
the turf all about him appeared to have
been trampled and crushed with many
Zee whose impress it still bore. Every
whtre as be went this appearance .con-
fiuued, Further on he came upon a
torch lying extinguishcd upon the ground.
Anon he picked up a handkerchief, en-
broidered with a delicate cipher-Francis
Egerton's own. What could 1t mean? He
reflected a moment. les-they had been
seeking her-the people from the chateau
-seetinc for Rose their los. darling.
And this torch was evidently one which
they had carried in their search by night.