Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-07-17
'sHe is here now, at any rate, and

"He is here now, at any rate, and
would see you"
"But you said he was at his resi-
dence," suggested our hero, who
was fearful that some evil might be
meant for him.
"I know nothing to the contra.
ry, sir" the stranger returned
promptly. GAIL I can say is Alaric
Orsa has iallen upon the ice and
hurt himself severely and upon be-
ing informed that you were near by
with a sledge he asked that you
might be sent for"
"Been hurt, has he?"
eyes, sir"
'Badly%
ct believe no bones are broken,
but he is so badly sprained that he
cannot walk"
"Ah,- then perhaps he wants me
to carry him home"
"I can't say as to that, sir. They
only sent me to find you. l don't
know the man myself"
There was something SO frank in
the statement thus made that Ru-
ric believed it all honest, and he
stood no longer in doubt.
81 will co." he said. "But lead
the way quickly, for I have no time
to waste"
'T will lead as fast as you will
want to follow" answered the rlan.
And thus speaking he turned
back, and, having gone some dozen
rods by the way they had both come,
he turned down a narrow street
which led toward the river. Half
way down this he went, and then he
turned again-this time to the left
and thus Ruric found himself in
a narrow, dark lane, within which
the snow was deep and almost un-
trodden.
'Iook ye," cried the youth, stop
ping as he found himself over knees
in snow, "I think we have gone
about far enough in this direction"
"This is the shortest way" said
the stranger guide apologetically.
'I did not think the snow was so
deep here. But it's only in the next
street" E..
"Then on you CO." .
Again the stranger started, and
Ruric followed on. The lane was a
crooked one, and more than once
the youth had another inclination
to stop. He had no direct fear, but
yet he had some just grounds for
doubt. Had he not seen what had
been attempted against the count
he might have had no such doubts
now, but as it was he thought that
if one attempt had been made to
ruin him through the emperor's dis
pleasure by the man who was now
trying to murder the count it would
not be at all improbable that some
more effective plan should be adopt
ed toward him. He was pondering
thus when they came to a cross lane
full as narrow as this, into which
the guide turned.
"Look ye once more, sirrah p
cried the youth, now stopping short.
"Do you call this street?"
eyes, sir, and on this street we
shall find the man we seek. 1t is
only a short cut from where he is
to the inn where your horse is, so
you won't have to retrace these du-
bious ways. Only little farther,
sir"
"But l don't like this"
"Why, bless you, sir, if you wish
to 90 direct to the inn where your
horse is this will be the nearest
way"
"Well, on you CO."
And on they went, now slipping
on the ice, now in the snow to their
knees and anon stumbling along
over frozen bubbles and deep holes.
At length the guide stopped and
opened a small gate which was fixed
in IA high, thick brick wall. Ruric hes
iteted here again. He had no weap-
on of any kind. If he had had even
a pistol or a sword, he would have
cared not. But he did not show his
thoughts to his guide. The gate
opened with a creak upon its frosty
hinges, and by the dim starlight the
youth could see an open court be-
yond, and farther still a house of
some kind loomed up. .
"This place seems not to be used
much" remarked Ruric as he saw
the snow in the court was trodden
but little, only one or two tracks
being visible from the gate to the
house.
"Ah-yes-you said-what %
81 said this place didn't seem to
be used much," the youth repeated,
though he was sure the fellow heard
the first time.
"Ah, yes-a-the usual entrance
is the other way, by the sledge
path"
"And where is that?" Ruric ask
ed, not being able to see any such