Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-06-16
4; * * s II. II II: * X II: n n: n; IL n, II: *
1 GRAUSTARk
"a ...By...
I'll GEORGE BARR MccUTChE0N
CONTINUED
oopw.ohs, lsoi. by Herbert s. stons


x***s*******+******+%*****
CONTINUED
The man named Michael hissed the
foregoing into the ears Of his compan.
ions, the palsied Americans hearing
every word distinctly. They scarcely
breathed, so tremendous was the re-
straint imposed upon their nerves. A
crime so huge. so daring as the abduc-
ton Of a princess, the actual invasion
of q castle to commit the theft Of hu-
man being just as an ordinary burglar
would steal in and make way with the
contents Of q silver chest, was beyond
their power of comprehension.
1--WE understand fully how it Is to be
done, and we shall get her to Ganlook
on time" said Geddos confidently.
"Not a hair of her head must be
harmed" cautioned the arch conspira.
tor. "In four days shall meet you at
Ganlook. You will keep her in close
confinement until you hear from me.
Have you the guards uniforms that
you are to wear tonight"
"They are with the carriage in the
ravine. Ostrom and will don them
before going to the castle. In case we
are seen they will throw observers of
the track long enough for US to secure
n good start in our flight"
Remember, there is to be no failure.
This may mean death to you, certainly
a long prison term, If you are appre-
hended. know 1t is daring deed, but
it is Just Of the kind that succeeds.
Who would dream that mortal man
could find the courage to steal prin-
cess of the realm from her bed and
spirit her away from under the very
noses Of her vaunted guardsmen? 1t Is
the bold, the impossible plan that
wins"
1--WE cannot fail if your men on the
inside do their work WE'LL" said Ged-
dos, repeating what Ostrom had said.
"All depends on their faithfulness."
"They will not be found wanting.
Your cutthroats must be sent on to
Caias with the empty carriage after
you have reached Ganlook in safety.
You will need them no more. OstrOm
will pay them, and they are to leave
the country as quickly as possible. At
Caias they will be able to join pack
train that will carry them to the Great
Northern railroad. From there they
will have no trouble in reaching Wen
ma. You will explain to them, Geddos.
to prove by their mere presence in case
of capture that the attempt was no
more than case Of burglary conceived
by band Of Viennese robbers. There
will be no danger Of capture If you
once get her outside the walls. You
can be half way to Ganlook before she
is missed from the castle. Nor can
she be found at Ganlook If you follow
the instructions l gave last night. 1t
is now nearly o'clock, and in half an
hour the night will be as dark as
Erebus. Go. men; you have no more
time to lose, for this must be accom-
plished slowly. carefully. deliberately.
There must be no haste until you are
ready for the race to Ganlook. Go. but,
for Gods sake, do not harm her! And
do not fail!'
Failure means more to us than to
you. Michael" half whispered the
hoarse Ostrom.
Failure means everything to me! I
must have her"
Already the two hirelings were NOV
ing off toward the road that ran west
of the castle grounds. Michael watch
ed them for moment and then start
ed swiftly in the direction Of the city.
The watchers had not been able to
distinguish the faces Of the conspira-
tors, but they could never forget the
calm, cold voice Of Michael, with Its
quaint, jerky English.
"What shall we doY' whispered An
guish when the men were out Of hear
ing.
God knowsw answered Lorry. "Thls
Is the most damnable thing l ever
heard of. Are we dreaming? Did we
really see and hear those men" He
had risen to his feet his companion
sitting weakly before him.
"There's no question about 1t! It's a
case Of abduction, and we have 1t In
our power to spoil the whole job. BY
cad. but this Is luck. Gren" Anguish
was quivering with excitement as he
rose to his feet. "Shall we notify old
Dangloss or alarm the steward? There's
no time to be lost If we want to trap
these fellows. The chief devil is bound
to escape. for we can't get him and the
others too. and they won't peach on
him. Come. we must be lively! What
are you standing there for? The trap
must be set!'
"Wait! Why not do the whole job
ourselves"
"How-what do you mean?"
"Why should we alarm anybody?
We know the plans as well as these
scoundrels themselves. Why not fol-
low them right into the castle. capture
them red handed. and then do the alarm
ing? I'm in for saving the Princess OF
Graustark with our own hands and
right under the noses Of her vaunted
guardsmen. as Michael says" Lorry
was thrilled by the spirit Of adventure.
His hand gripped his friends arm and
his face was close to his ear. 1T Is
the grandest opportunity two human
beings ever had to distinguish them
selves"
"Great heaven. man! We can't do
such a thingw gasped Anguish.
Its the easiest thing In the world.
Besides, II we fail. we have nothing to
lose. If we succeed. see what we've
done! Don't hesitate, old man! Come
on! Come on! Wen take 'em our
selves, Us sure as fate. Have you no
nerve? What kind of an American are
you? This chance won't come In ten
lifetimes! Are we not equal to those
two scouEIrels?"
Cows that fail
Your CoWs to breed. espe:
Nav Be HhortIo n,