The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-31

ing fixediy upon him. They wer
stout men, all of them, and the,
bore themselves toward Vladimir
as bears a servant TO his acknOwl
edged master.
"The hour is waxing late" sale
Vladimir at length, looking up from
the table. His voice sounded in that
place like the echo of a tomb. II
was low and hollow, and the other:
started as they heard it.
"There's time vet to spare, mas
ter" replied one who sat next the
monk.
Il trust we shall not be disap-
pointed" said Vladimir at the expi-
ration of few moments more.
To this no answer was returned.
AT length there came a dull echo
from overhead, and the six dark sit
tiers started up to listen. The sound
grew louder, and soon it sent down
into that dismal chamber the notes
of coming footsteps. In a few mo-
ments more the heavy iron door
creaked upon its hinges, and three
men entered, and soon behind them
came three more. Those who came
in advance were two of them leading
the third as a prisoner. And so it
was with those behind. The iron
door creaked again, and when the
heavy bolts had been showed into
their sockets the two prisoners were
led forward.
MASTER" spoke one of the new
corners, eve have brought the pris-
oners-two of them-as you COM
handed"
at is WE'LL" said Vladimir. "Let
them be brought before us"
As the two men are brought to
where the light can strike upon
their faces we see the two guides
who conducted Ruric Newell to his
place of confinement. One of them
was he who met Ruric in the street,
and the other is the one who guided
him into the old bathhouse with the
lantern in his hand. They shudder- |
ed fearfully as they gazed around
upon the dismal scene, and their
looks plainly showed that they knew
not why they had been brought
thit her.
"Lesko Totma~ pronounced Via
limir.
The first of the prisoners-he
Who had met Ruric in the street
started as he heard that name and
ried to speak.
care you the man?" asked the
monk, looking into his face.
eyes, holy father" the wretch
remblingly replied.
''Then stand you here in front of
me-"
The fellow was moved up in front
f the table, and surprise and fear
eemed to be struggling for the mas
cry over him, for he recognized now
he strange monk about whom he
ad probably heard so much.
"Lesko Totma," said Vladimir v
wv and slowly, ''you have been seen 9
luch in the company of hump y
acked priest named Savotano. You
now such a priest, do you not ?"
The man hesitated. He gazed fur |,
yely about him and trembleu more
ian before. q
"Answer me~
"Yes, sir; know him." h
"And now, sir, be sure that you fl
1swer me directly and truly. Do S.
~ know young gunmaker named
uric Nevel?" W
The fellow started with percep- f.
BILE quake as this question was k
ked, but he seemed to have been r;
'epared for it, for his answer was 7
rect. ri
"No, sir; I Go not" N
cha! Beware! Think well be-
re you speak" k,
eff you mean the man who fought M
e duel with the Count Damonoff, VI
en- | have heard of him, but l do f.
t know that ever saw him." m
"Then you are sure of this ?"
"Of course am" or
"Frederic Viskaw he
The second prisoner now came 60
rward. He was few years youn-
r than his companion, though
newhat larger and evidently more
Id Totma was conducted out of ",
: apartment as Viska came for mr.
I'd.
''You, too, have been in the COM
ny of this priest, Savotano, have
i not ?" the monk asked. -
Il know him." the fellow replied,
n q clirht toucb IF dafiapoa in his