The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-09-06

"Ah Has the gunmaker come P
the latter asked.
eyes," returned the guide.
swell, Pm glad he's here, but
don't believe Orsa is fit to move,
said the first speaker. And then
turning to Ruric, he said:
'But I'm glad you've come, sill
for the lieutenant wishes to see yo1
very much. This way, sir"
This was all SO frank and promp
that the young man began to thinl
he had been fool for being fright
cned. He followed the man will
the lantern into the hall, and from
thence down long fight of stair,
into basement. The lantern die
not give much light, but it was suffi
cient to reveal the fact that thu
house was an old one and not very
large, for Ruric could see windows
upon the opposite side of the hal
which looked out of doors. As he
reached the foot of the stairs he
found himself upon a brick floor
and he saw the walls were of stone,
A little farther on door was open
ed, and this led to a small apart
ment, within which was a fireplace
and good fire burning.
''There, good SIR" said the Sec
ond guide, eff you will wait a few
moments I will go and see how the
lieutenant is"
AS soon as Ruric was left alone
he looked about him. The room
was of moderate size for a small
house, and the idea of inhabiting
the cellars was a common one in
Moscow during the winter season.
The windows, two in number, were
close up to the ceiling and very
small and were patched with pieces
of board in two or three places.
Ere long the man came back, and
with him came three others, one of
whom the youth recognized as the
who had conducted him
to the house.
"Orsa will see you, sir" said he
with the lantern.
Ruric arose to follow him, the
other three men approaching the
ire as though they would remain
here. He had reached the door
md passed through into the room
beyond when he thought he heard
footsteps behind him. 1t was a slid
ng, shutting sound, and he turned
his head to see what it was. AS he
lid so he received blow which
staggered him and which would
have felled an ordinary man to the
floor. He gathered himself quickly
up, but before he could fairly turn
about he received a second blow.
heavier than the first, which
brought him upon his knees. In an
instant all four of the men were up
on him, and he could see that they
had ropes in their hands with which
10 bind him. With all his might he
'hreW the fellow who held his right |
hand back against the wall, and an
'ther he sent in an opposite direc-
Ion, and in a moment more he
yould have been upon his feet, but
ust at that instant a moose was
droitly slipped over his head, and
the rope frightened about his
eek he was drawn back upon the
rick floor again.
"Now, resist any more, and we'll
hoke you as sure as fate!" cried the
ian who had held the lantern and
ow had hold upon the rope.
"Oh,' groaned Ruric, while the
lassive cords worked like cables in
IS arms and shoulders, "give me a
air chance Let me up and free
hen lock your doors, if you pleasel /"
mo, no, good SIR" replied the
ufhan, with wicked smile. eve
now your power, and we are not
lsposed to test it further. We have
al trouble enough already. Shall
e.
The man stopped speaking, for at
nat moment another moose was
1pped down over Ruric's head, and
re he could avoid it it had been
rawn tightly about his arms. He
as now at the mercy of his captors,
nd, having rolled him over upon
is breast, they proceeded to secure
Is arms behind him, which, being
one, they babe him to rise. Of
'urse he could have no desire to lie
lere upon the cold bricks, and he
ot upon his feet as well as he could
Now, Ruric Newell, will conduct
'u to your own apartment" said
le leader of the gang.
"Butwherefore is this ?" the gun-
aker gasped, rendered almost F
'eechless with the mingled emo \
ons OF surprise and anger. "Why
Ave we done this? Whose hirelings
e ye that ye thus waylay and seize
pom an honest man who has done
, IN J.