The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
STRANGE AND COMPLICATED.

on the eve of an engagement. He
gained view of the commander of
the opposing army, and he saw that
1T was the Duke of lula. Yet the
duke had an enormous hump upon
his back, and instead of the usual
uniform he wore the garb of a
priest. This was very strange-at
least SO ran Ruric's thoughts in the
dream. Soon the engagement COM
menced, and the loud mouthed ar
tillery opened its thunder. The din
was deafening and strange, and Ru-
ric shouted in vain to his aids, for
the roar of cannon drank up his
words direct from his lips. Louder
and more loud grew the crash, and
finally Ruric started for the charge.
His horse was shot under him, and,
with a quick leap, he reached his
feet.
"Ruric, Ruric, my masterp'
Slowly the youth opened his eyes,
and Paul stood by him in his night
clothes He gazed about him and
found that he had leaped from his
bed and now stood shivering upon
the floor.
Don't you hear that racket It
the door?" asked Paul.
"What? Hal There is some one
knocking" Ruric uttered as he
heard the sound.
"And have you not heard it be-.
fore?"
mo"
"Why did you leap up thus 2"
81 was dreaming"
IL thought twas the noise below.
Why, they've been making perfect
thunder of noise down there. Shall
go DOWN."
eyes, go, Paul, and l will dress
as soon as possible. What time is
it?"
1T must be near daybreak."
And thus speaking Paul turned
and went to his own room, where he
threw on an outer garment, and
then he went down. At the door he
found stout man wrapped up in
furs, while close by stood sledge
with two horses attached to it. In
the east the golden tints of morn
were already visible.
GA gunmaker named Newell lives
here, does he not ?" asked the appli-
cant after having first made some
passing remark on the trouble he
had had in starting some one up.
Paul feared that there might be
something out of the way, but he
dared not tell falsehood where it
could not possibly be of any use, so
ne answered in the affirmative.
"Then let me see, him as speedily
as possible"
He is preparing to- come down,
sir. If you will walk in, you may
see him very soon."
The stranger followed the boy in
to the kitchen, where it was quite
warm, the fire in the furnace hay
ing been burning all night. Ere
long Ruric came down, and the Wis
itor started up.
"Howp uttered the gunmaker,
starting forward and extending his
hand. "Demetrius ?"
"Aye, my friend" the Greek re-
piled, with smile. 81 am an early
visitor, eh ?"
81 should say SO. But early or
late you are welcome"
"Thank you. But we must not |
spend much time here now. My
sledge is here at your door, and /
wish you to accompany me-"
"But wherefore is this? asked
the youth in surprise. "What has
happened now?"
I'll tell you. Last night Olga,
the duke, came to see the emperor.
l had just been giving his majesty
some exercise at the sword, 80 |
was present at the interview. The
duke wished for power to arrest you,
and in explanation of the request
he stated that you were at the head
of band of robbersshere in the city
and that you had already committed
several robberies. / needn't tell you
all he said, but he made you out to
be most unmitigated villain, and
with this the emperor granted his
request. Olga wished for power to
execute you at once, but Peter would
not go SO far as that. He gave the
power of arrest, but ordered the
duke to bring you before him."
Ruric stood for a few moments
ike one COMPOUNDED.
"Then he must carry me to the
he said at length.
"Ah," returned Demetrius, with a
dubious shake of the head, 'Fbe not
90 sure of that. / saw look upon
lis face when he turned away that
meant more than he dared to Speak.