The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-12

''Thcrc is :; cave farther down the
mountain. Shall we take the chance Of
reaching it:'
"Ey all means. can't endure the
cold after being cooped up for so
long"
They followed the winding road for
| some distance down the mountain, COM
ing at last to a point where a small
path branched off. 1t was the path
leading down the side Of the steep
overlooking the city, and upon that
side no wagon road could be built.
Seven thousand feet below stretched
the sleeping, moonlit city. Standing
out on the brow Of the mountain, they
seemed to be the only living objects in
the world. There was no sign of life
above, below or beside them.
! How long should we be in making
the descent?" asked Lorry, a sort OF
terror possessing him as be looked
from the dizzy height into the ghostlike
dimness below.
'.Three hours if you are strong
"And how are we to get into the cas-.
tie? l hadn't thought of that"
There is a secret entrance" said
Quinnox, maliciously enjoying the in
sistent ones acknowledgment Of weak
ness. 'If we reach it safely, can take
you under ground to the old dungeons
beneath the castle. 1t may be some
time before you can enter the halls
above, for the secret passage is guard
ed jealousy. There are but FIVE people
who know of its existence"
Great confidence is placed in you, ]
See, and worthily, am sure. How is it
that you are trusted so Implicitly"
Il inherit the confidence. The cap.
tain Of the guard is born to his posi-
ton. Ny ancestors held the place be-
fore ne, and not one betrayed the
trust. The firstborn in the last ten gen
erations has been the captain Of the
guard in the royal palace, possessing
all its secrets. I shall be the first. to be,
tray the trust, and for man who is
nothing to me-"
II suppose you consider me selfish
and vile for placing you in this posi-
ton" said Lorry, somewhat contritely.
'.No. I have begun the task, and I
will complete it, come what may" an
swered the captain firmly. "You are
the only being in the world for whom !
would sacrifice my honor voluntarily
save one"
'I have wondered why you were
never tempted to turn traitor to the
princess and claim the fortune that is
represented in the reward"
"Not for 100000 gavvos, sir!'
"By George, you are faithful lot
Dangloss, Abode and Ogbot and your
self, four honest men to whom she
trusts her life, her honor! You belong
to rare species, and I am proud to
know you"
The stealthy couple found the cave
and spent an hour or more within its
walls, sallying forth after the tardy
darkness had crept down over the
mountain and into the peaceful valley.
Then began the tortuous descent. Quin-
nox in the lead, they walked, crawled
end ran down the narrow path,
bruised, scratched and aching by the
time they reached the topmost Of the
summer houses along the face Of the
mountain After this walking was
easier, but stealthiness made their
progress slow. Frequently as they
neared the base they were obliged to
dodge behind houses or to drop into
the bitches by the roadside in order to
avoid patrolling police guards or Ak
phain sleuthhounds.
At last, stiff and sore, they stole into
the narrow streets Of Edelweiss. Lor-
ry glanced back and shivered, al
though the air was warm and balmy.
He had truly been out of the world.
Not until this instant did he fully ap-
preciate the dread that possesses a
man who is being hunted down by
tireless foes. Never did mans heart
go out in gratitude and trustfulness as
did his toward the strong defender
whose s;newy arm he clasped rs II IN
terror.
"You understand what this means to
me- said Quinnox gravely as they
paused to rest. "She will call me your
murderer and curse me for my miser-
able treason. am the first to dlshon-
or the name Of QuinnoI."