Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1903-08-18

DeaStly queer. IL was ne WHO turned
on the lights and went at you with a
club. I heard you call and was in the
eoor just as he hit you. His finish
came inside of second. You and he
spoiled the handsomest rug l ever
saw"
"Ruined it?'
"Not in her estimation. I'll wager
she has it framed, blood and alls The
stains will always be there as re-
minder Of your bravery, and that's
what she says she's bound to keep.
She was very much excited and alarm
ed about you until the room filed with
men, and then she remembered how
she was attired. / never saw any,
thing so pretty as her embarrassment
when the countess and her aunt led
her into the next room. These people
are going out. so I'll tell you what hap
pened after you left me with the cook.
He was long time falling under the
influence, and had barely reached the
top of the stairs when l saw Dannox
rush down the hall. Then you called,
and / knew the jig was on in full blast.
The door was open, and l saw him
strike you. shot him, but she was at
your side before could get to you.
The other fellows who were in the
room succeeded in escaping while
was bending over you, but neither Of
them shot at me. They We're too badly
frightened. I had sense enough left to
follow and shoot couple Of times as
they tore down the stairs. One of them
stumbled and rolled all the way to the
bottom. He was unconscious and
bleeding when reached his side. The
other fellow flew toward the dining
hall, where he was Immediately nabbed
by two white uniformed men and
throttled.
"Other men in white-tltcy were reg
ular police ofticers-Eounced upon me,
and was a prisoner. By George, 1
was knocked Off my feet the next min
ute to see old Danglcss himself come
putting and blowing into the hall, red
der and fiercer than ever. Now i
know what you want in Edelweissr
he shrieked, and it took me three min
utes to convince him of his error.
Then he and some Of the men went up
to the princess room, while quickly
led the way to the big gate and di-
rected a half dozen officers toward the
ravine. They came up finally with the
two fellows who had been stationed
beneath the window and who were un-
able to find the gate. When got back
to where you were, the room was full
of terrified men and women half dress
ed. was still dazed over the sudden
appearance of the police, but managed
to tell my story in full to Dangloss
and Count Halfont-that's Uncle Cas-
par-and then the chief told me how he
and his men happened to be there. In
the meantime the castle physician was
to you. Dannox had been
carried away.
IT never talked to more interested
audience in my life. There was the
princess at my elbow, and the countess
pretty as picture-back of her, all
eyes, both ofs'em, and there were the
old gray haired lady, the Countess Hal
font, and half dozen shivering maids,
with men galore, Dangloss and the
count and aglot Of servants-a great
and increasing crowd. The captain Of
the guards, IA young fellow named
Quinnox, as i heard him called, came
In worried and Inundated. / fancy he
was afraid he'd lose his job. You see,
It was this way: Old Dangloss has had
4 man watching us all day. Think of
lt-shadowing us like couple Of
thieves! This fellow traced us to the
castle gate and then ran back for re-
confident that we were
there to rob. In twenty minutes he
had a squad of officers at the gate, the
chief trailing along behind. A couple
Of guards came charging up to learn
The cause Of the commotion, and the
whole crew sailed into the castle, ar
irving just in time.
"Well. just as soon as had told them
the full story of the plot, old Caspar,
the chief ans the captain held short
the result Of which I can
tell in mighty few words. At o'clock
they took the whole gang of prisoners
down in the ravine and shot them.
The mounted guards are still looking
for the two Venhese who were left
with the carriage. They escaped.
About an hour after you were hurt you
were carried over here and laid on this
couch. They have been hanging over
you as if you were newborn baby,
ind everybody's charmed because you
ire boy and are going to i've"
Lorry was smiling family over his
"You are the real hero, Harry. You
aved my life and probably, hers. I'll
lot allow you or anybody to give me
he glory" he said, pressing the 9th
RS hand.
"Oh, that's nonsense! Anybody could
lave rushed in as did. was only
:apping the climax you had prepared
merely a timely arrival, as the novels
ay. There is little Of the credit due
ne, Of course, and I'll take it graceful
y, but only come in as an accessory.
| sort Of bushwhacker who had only
o do the shoot, slap bang work and
lose the act. You did the hero's work.
But what do you think Of the way they
land out justice over here? All but
wo Of 'em deadH'