The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-17

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 fireplace
and a good fire burning.
"Thcre, good sir" said the sec
ond guide, eff you will wait y few
moments | 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 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 III came back, and
with him came three others, one of
whom the youth recognized as the
individual who bad conducted him
to the house.
"Orsa will see you, sir" said he
with the lantern.
other three men approaching the
fire as though they would remain
there. He had reached the door
and passed through into the room
beyond when he thought he heard
footsteps behind him. 1t was slid
ing, shutting sound, and he turned
his head to see what it was. AS he
did so he received a 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 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
to bind him. With all his might he
threw the fellow who held his right
hand back against the wall, and an
other he sent in an opposite direc-
ton, and in moment more he
would have been upon his feet, but
just at that instant moose was
adroitly slipped over his head, and
as the rope frightened about his
neck he was drawn back upon the
brick floor again.
"Now, resist any more, and We'll
choke you as sure as fate!" cried the
man who had held the lantern and
now had hold upon the rore.
"Oh," groaned Ruric, while the
massive cords worked like cables in
his arms and shoulders, "give me
fair chance! Let me up and free
then lock your doors, if you please"
mo, no, good sir" replied the
ruffian, with a wicked smile. eve
know your power, and we are not
disposed to test it further. We have
had trouble enough already. Shall
We
The man stopped speaking, for at
that moment another moose was
slipped down over Ruric's head, and
ere he could avoid it it had been
drawn tightly about his arms. He
was now at the mercy of his captors,
and, having rolled him over upon
his breast, they proceeded to secure
his arms behind him, which, being
done, they babe him to- rise. OF
course he could have no desire to lie
there upol the cold bricks, and he
got upon his feet rs well as he could.
"Now, Ruric Newell, | will conduct
you to your own apartment" said
the leader of the gang. -
"But wherefore is this ?" the gun
maker gasped, rendered almost
spcechless with the mingled emo
tons OF surprise ana anger. why
have We done this? Whose hirelings
are We that We thus waylay and seize
upon an honest man who has done
no harm to any of you?"
"Never mind that now, sir" the
ruffian coolly answered. "Suffice it
for you to know that you are safe
for the present"
"But will we not tell me what this
is for? There is some intent"
eyes, and come with me and you
shall see. Come"
Thus speaking, the man turned
once more, and, having picked up
his lantern, he moved on, while the
others, taking Ruric by the arms,
followed after. The prisoner made
no resistance now, for he knew that
it would be useless. At a short dis
tance another fight Of stairs was