The Holly chieftain., 1901-10-25
CHAPTER XII.
Horam IL Gagged.


Horam is Gagged.
Carefully the three men emerged
from the dungeon; and when Osmir
had closed and bolted the door behind
them. selim went ON ahead with the
lantern. They we're armed with sood
stout swords. and the blacks wore
daxgers In their sashes.
''In what direction must We pass
out?' asked Julian. as they came TO
the end Of the nrst valuted passage.
I'VE must pass up where a guard II
always kept" answered Osmir: and
our only hope is that we may be able
70 fall upon the sentinels. and over
.ome them. without creating disturb
ance enough for general alarm"
Whatever can be accomplished by
strength Of arm. we will accomplish"
said the robber: land think we can
be shrewd enough not TO strike until
We see that the blow shall fall sure
~"
you can depend upon us," added
osmir, stopping while selim opened a
door. Eve have already placed our
lives in jeopardy, and only success
full exit from the palace can now save
Us. But. as l told you before, there
is danger in the way"
you have counted the chances!"
Yes"
"And are you ready to bide the re-
sultf'
"Yes."
Then let us meet the worst. II
you. to set me free, are ready for the
risk, I should be much more So"
At this juncture Selim, who had
opened door, and gone on few
steps in advance. came hurriedly back,
with look of alarm In his face.
Il hear footsteps in the passage
overhead" he said, in a whisper.
Are you sure?"
Eyes. heard them very plainly"
What is the passage Of which you
speak," asked Julian.
ut is one through which We must
pass" replied osmir, "and one in
which we had expected to find NO OBJ
fstacle."
1T may be-" suggested selim. chat
= now guard has been vet there"
"That cannot be-" asserted osmir. IT
came through there only . short time
nince. and the place was empty. Hark
II hear the steps from hsre-and /
think they are coming this way. Hold.
moment Remain where you are,
and i viii nnd 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 hrst
exclamation told that he was excited.
'"The king Is coming!"
THE king!" repeated Julian, in q
quick, deep whisper.
"Yes-and two Of his guards are
with him. Some one else came az far
~ the mead Of the stairs with them,
but think only the king and the
guards are descending"
He must be coming to zee me-" said
Julian.
''lt must be so." answered Osmir;
"for there Is nothing else here for him
to see, save bare damp walls and
toads."
"Hark! Here they come. hear
their voices, and can see where the
rays Of their lantern breaks In the
gloom" It was Selim who said this,
!, and az he spoke he drew back, and hid
his own lantern beneath the skirt OF
his tunic.
Our adventures. 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 a lantern,
and wearing the robes of the king.
while the other seemed to be an Of
6cer Of the household.
II see now" said Osmir, a. he gain
Cd . view Of the approaching men.
II 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 q mo-
ment undecided as to the course he
should pursue. Once his sword was
half drawn from Its scabbard; but
Osmir, who heard the movement,
seemed to have 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