Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-07-05

hands and endeavor to give Dattle.
Still, the awful influence of Peter
hoff's dreaded name was sufficient,
under ordinary conditions, to freeze
the fighting blood in the veins of
most men, however brave they might
be.
To his surprise, he heard no shot,
not even a shout or a scream.
The baron's sudden appearance in
their midst must have paralyzed the
conspirators.
Presently they would be trooping
forth under escort, to be hurried away
to gloomy prison cells.
And as for himself
Charlie smoked calmly on.
This was another experience, that
was all
He seemed bound to suffer In the
cause of Airline Brand. Because she
CHANGED to resemble the notorious
Countess Isolde in possessing an en-
trancing figure, and also golden hair
and eyes that rivaled the summer skies
of Italy, forsooth, the baron must fall
into error and bring about this en-
tanglement.
Well, perhaps all things would work
together for good, If he but put his
shoulder to the wheel.
And the cause was one in which he
could stand considerable knocking
about with complacency.
He watched the hotel door.
The baron would be sorry on ac-
count Of his blunder Naturally, he
would want to make amends, and
Charlie had already concluded to en-
list his valuable services in the work
of unmasking Captain Brand.
If anybody could accomplish this
matter, surely it was Peterhoff, whose
long experience and facilities for Sc
curing information would stand him
in good stead.
All, there were signs of life.
A number of sombre closed vehicles
came dashing down the gassen.
They drew up before the hotel.
A few loungers gathered in the door
way out of idle curiosity Heads ap-
peared at the windows across the way,
as though some spirit of intuition,
passing through space, gave warning
that strange events were occurring.
Charles captors began to move
along toward the hotel door, and of
course, he was forced to accompany
them.
He was still twenty PAGES away
when the baron came out, bearing upon
his arm lady with sylphlike form,
but who was heavily yelled.
Charles traitor heart leaped at
sight of her. The graceful carriage
was so like that of Airline, so queenly
and perfect
Yet he knew beyond peradventure
that this was the countess who had
fowler.
Charlie was inclined to rush and
seize upon his friend, the baron; but
those two guards held his arms in a
grip of steel.
Attract the attention of Peterhoff
he could not, since the other hid eyes
only for the woman at his side, know
ing his men were capable of eNtcuting
the orders previously given.
So he assisted her into vehi lie and
swept one last glance around.
Charlie cried out.
Other sounds there were in the
street just then. At any rate, the
baron never vouchsafed single look
in his quarter, but waved an arm,
jumped into the vehicle and was gone.
By this time the gendarmes were
issuing from the hotel. each with a
companion, most of the prisoners be-
ing gentlemen.
AS fast as the vehicles were filled
with guards and captives they l'ashed
away.
Charles turn came. He attempted a
protest, but was roughly showed along
and thrust into one of the closed We
hicles, which presently numbered
down the street.
And so the innocent suffered with
the guilty.
ITO be continued.)