The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
CHAPTER. NXIII.
The Visitor at Midnight.

Below the castle and its distressed oecu-
pants. in a dark. damp little room. Gren-
fall Lorry lived a year in a day. On the
night of the 18th, or rather near the break
of dawn on the 18th, Captain Quinnox
guided him from the dangerous streets OF
Edelweiss to the secret passage. and he
was safe for the time being. The entrance
TO the passage was through a skillfully
hidden opening in the wall that inclosed
the park. A stone doorway, so cleverly con-
structed that it dehed detection, led to a
set Of steps which, in turn. took one to a
long. narrow passage. This ended in u
stairway fully a quarter of a mile from its
beginning. Ascending this stairway one
came To "A secret panel, through which, by
pressing u spring, the interior OF the castle
was reached. The location of the panel was
in one of the recesses In the wall OF the
chapel, near the altar. 1t was in this chapel
that Yetive exchanged her male attire Tor a
loose gown, weeks before, and the servant
who saw her come from the door at an IN
earthly hour in the morning believed she
had gone there to seek surcease from the
troubles which oppressed her.
Lorry was impatient 10 rush forth from
his place OF hiding and 10 end all suspense,
but QuinnOx demurred. He begged the Gag
er American 10 remain in the passage un-
til the night Of the 18th. when, all things
going well, he might be so fortunate as to
reach the princess without being seen. 1t
was the secret hope of the guilty captain
that his charge could be induced by the
princess TO return to the monastery, TO
avoid complications. He promised to inform
her highness of his presence in the under
ground room and 10 arrange for a meeting.
The miserable fellow could not find courage
TO confess his disobedience to his trusting
mistress. Many times during the day she
had seen him lowering near, approaching
and then retreating, and had Wondered not
a little at his peculiar manner.
And so il was that Lorry chafed and
writhed through a long day of suspense
and agony. Quinnox had brought TO the
little room some candles, food and bedding.
but he utilized only the former. The hours
went by and no summons called him to her
side. He was dying with the desire TO hold
her in his arms and TO hear her voice again.
Pacing to and fro like a Gagged animal, he
recalled the ride IN West Virginia. the
night in her bedchamber, the day in the
throne room and, more delicious than all,
the trip to the monastery. In his dreams,
waking or sleeping, he had seen the slim
soldier. had heard the mufied voice, and
had felt the womanly caresses. His brain
now was in a whirl, busy with thoughts of
love and fear. distraught with anxiety for
her and for himself, bursting Nth the aw-
ful consequences of the hour that was upon
them. What was to become of him? What
was 10 be the end of this drama? What
you'll tho nfuhf 4h. -,a--.-- 1900 4, Hz,,tp
He looked back and saw himself as he
Was a year ago in Washington. before she
anne into his life. and then wondered IL il
could really be he who was going through
these strange, improbable scenes, these
sensations. 1t was 8 O'Clock in the evening
when Quinnox returned to the little room.
The waiting one had looked at his watch a
hundred times. had run insanely up and
down the passage in quest of the secret
exit. had shouted aloud in the frenzy of
desperation.
Have you seen herr" he cried, grasping
the newcomers hand.
Il have. but. before God. 1 could not tell
her what 1 had done. Your visit will be a
surprise. 1 fear a shock"
Then how am L to see her? Fool. Am l
10 wait here forever-"
Have patience, will take you To her to-
nisht-aye, within an hour. Tomorrow
morning she signs away the northern PROV
inces and her Instructions are that she is
not 10 be disturbed tonight. Not even will
she see the Countess Dagmar after .
o'clock. X breaks my heart TO see the sor-
row that abounds in the castle tonight.
Her highness insists on being alone and
Bassot. the new guard. has orders 20 admit
M one 60 her apartments. lie is i'll and
have promised that a substitute shall re-
heve him az r. o'clock. You are TO be the
substitute. Here Is "a part OF an old uni
form of mine. and here is a coat that be-
louged to DannoX, who was about your
sic. Please exchange the clothes YOU now
have ON for these. / apprehend no trouble
IN reaching her door. for the household is
IN gloom sud the halls seem barren of life
lie threw the bundle ON a chair and Lorry
a. once proceeded 10 don the contents. In a
very hort time he wore, instead Of the cell
keepers garments, "a neat-htting uniform of
tho ROYAL guard. He Wa trembling violent
D.. chilled 10 the bone with nervousness. as
they began tho ascent Of the stairs leading
o. the chapel. The crisis in his life. he felt.
w. near al hand.
Under the siealthy hand OF ouiunox the