Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-01-08

LINK VI IL tilp less DellcNe 5lleIu. II
seems more as if they We're the thieves.
This may have been traveller who
knew where we were and was trying
to reach our place for shelter. Ontro
is handy enough for robbers whether
they be French or Prussian."
'Truc again." said the man with the
lantern. Let us join in the search"
So while vandal and his two fellow
travellers scrambled slowly down their
side of the ravine the other three, ac-
customed to the spot, went more rap
idly.
And these held still another advan-
tage in the lantern, which aided them
greatly in the descent and the subse-
| quent search.
"And I say again, yolner," said the
young man with the lantern, "this may
be another plot against one we love.
Is not the prince expected soon? His
arrival has been unaccountably delay
ed. lie was not at Trolle yesterday.
Could he have come by way of Ontro,
think you?'
"He might, he might" said the man
called Nolner. "He and his lovely
princess and the sweet Princess Marie
--ah, that Deneslia should hold trail
tors to these three! But Casparin came
yesterday from Berlin, he told me.
He was at me again about the rent
money. Heaven, How can pay what
he demands?'
"There is something mysterious late
ly about Casparin,' said Debbisk.
"Think you there is any foundation for
,us"-
"Hush! You are speaking of the
brother of the prince. Here! What
have we here? A man, and young
one"
| Vandal, Reber and Robello were still
some few feet away us the lantern
swung low over the white upturned
face of Buckford Wallace, and the
three agriculturists bent to examine
| the handsome features.
"My faith in God!" exclaimed Vol
ner. ''That young man looks not like
a thief"
Nevertheless such he is, and moth
ing else. In his pockets you will find
nearly thousand francs he stole from
our room at the inn at Ontro."
"And did you know the fellow?" ask
ed Debbisk.
"Know him! He is wanted just now
by the Paris police. We had, in fact
journeyed from Paris to find him."
/ Hum! Let me think" said Farm
err Volner. 81 am not sure Of your
truth, strangers. Men are often rob-
bed at Ontro; it is fact. But the rob-
bers are not, as rule, young and
handsome fellows like this. Come
| We will examine his wound, and IL he
| is not dead we will take him to the
house."
For what:" demanded yandal.
"Does he not belong to us?'
Not exactly" said yolner, with u
laugh. Under the wise rule Of our
beloved prince, that thing is settled.
| A chase, wounded even in the Green
forest, IL 1t runs or flies to occupied
| ground, belongs to the tenant or owner
of that ground. Had this young man
been wild pig or a deer or goose
it would now belong to me. shall ap-
ply the rule to this young man."
Il protest. He robbed us. We are
French gentlemen. We claim him."
Gentlemen, if he is dead you may
have him. If he is but wounded, he
shall have chance to tell his story
as my name is Nolner."
"VoIner! Your name yolnerT'
] "My name Is Sester volner, at your
| service"
This information seemed to disquIet
Vandal considerably.
| Without noticing the effect of his
name on the Frenchman, which, In
deed, he could not see without a con-
spicuous use of the lantern, yolner
bent down and lifted the wounded man
in his powerful arms.
eve will get him to the top, where
we can examine him. he said.
To Volner that burden was as moth
ing. The lantern was carried by Deb
bisk in such manner as to throw its
| CLEANS ahead. Volner led the way.
Then came Debbisk and his partner,
both employees Of Volner.
Then followed the three discounted
Frenchmen, who had, by the unfortu-
nate claim of Vandal that they had
come from Paris to trace Buckford,
lost the opportunity of posing as the
invited guests of Casparin.
Up the steep bank tolled volner.
| Buckford uttered groan.
"Goodv' said Debbisk. "He is not
dead. Thank God for that"
| Course that Amerlcan" whispered
Nandal to Reber. "He cannot be kill
ed, it seems. If that fool gets him to
his pouse and brings him back to con-
sci dsness, he will tell the whole story.
Not only will the plot of our friend be
defeated, but undoubtedly we shall be
/ pursued and shot"
Eyes. Mon Dieu! Almost anything
is better than thatH whispered Reber
in alright.
"Then do you and Robello stand by
| me now! None of your cowardice.
Stick to me like men now, and we will
| get the youngster away and finish him.
Now, at the word, fire into the backs of
these two fellows. After that the old
man. One, two, three!"
Fortunately for Debbisk, Reber, the
immortal blunderer, clicked his revolv-
er full minute before 1t was to be
time to fire. Like a flash the two young
farmers had turned, and two heavy
clubs descended with terrific force on
the skulls of Reber and Robello. Re
Der sank to the ground with gasp.
while Robello, less injured, staggered,
felt his head and then fired at his as
sailant. AT the same moment yandal
fired into the face of Debbisk.
Heavens! What is this?" roared
Farmer Volner, dropping his grooming
burden and sprlnging into the fray.
he came none too soon, for Debbisk
was lying on the ground. his compan-
ion was in the grasp of Robello and
the recovered Reber, and Eandal was
drawing knife to spring upon him.
With a mighty oath the enraged