The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-06-12

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1--WE must go about it boldly; that's
all"
HAS il occurred to you, sir, that you
are placing me in a terrible positions
What excuse can | have. a captain OF
the guard. for sinking about at night
with a man whom | am supposed to be
tracking TO earth? Discovery will
brand me as a traitor. l cannot deny
the charge without exposing her royal
highness."
Lorry turned cold. He had not
thought OF this alarming possibility.
But his ready wit came again to his
relief. and with bright. confident eyes
be swept away the obstacle.
IF discovered. you are at once to
proclaim me a prisoner, take the credit
for having caught me and claim the
reward
In that case YOU will not 20 to the
castle, bUt to The tower"
'Not if You obey orders. The offer of
reward SAYS that | must be delivered
to the undersigned. You will take me
to her and not to the tower"
Ouinrox smiled and threw up his
bands a. if unable to combat the quick
logic of lis companion. Together they
made their way to the prior's cell, aft
erward to the abbot's apartment. II
was barely II o'clock. and he had not
retired. lie questioned Quinnox closely,
bade Iorry farewell and blessed him,
sent his bnnediction TO the princess
and ordered them conducted to the
gates.
Ten minutes later they stood outside
the wall. the great gates having been
closed sharply behind them. Above
them hung the silvery moon, full aud
bright, throwing its %refulgent splendor
over the mountain top with all the
brilliancy of day. Never before had
Lorry seen the moon so accursedly
bright.
Cad. il is like day he exclaimed.
LAS | tod you. sir" agreed the other.
reproOf in his voice.
we must wait until the moon goes
down. 1t won't do to risk 1t DOW. Can
we not 20 somewhere TO keep warm
for an hour or so?"
There is a cave farther down the
mountain. Shall we take the chance OF
reaching itY'
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 vas 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 he 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-
tlei / 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 1t 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, l am sure. How is IL
thar you are trusted so implicitlyf
II inherit the confidence. The cap
tain of the guard is born to his posi-
ton. My ancestors held the place be
fore me, and not one betrayed the
trust. The irstborn in the last ten gen
erations has been the captain of the
guard in the royal palace, possessing
all its secrets. / shall be the first to be
tray the trust, and for a man who 10
nothing to me-"
81 suppose you consider me selfish
and vile for placing you in this posi-
tion," said Lorry. somewhat contritely.
mo. l have begun the task. and
will complete Ii. 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"
II have wondered why you were
never tempted to turn traitor to TIE
princess and claim the fortune that Ii
represented In the reward"
Not for 100000 gavvos, sirp'
by George. you are a faithful lot
Dangloss, Abode and Ogbot and your
self, four honest men to whom sh'
trusts her life. her honor! You belon:
10 a rare species, and ! am proud Il
know you"
The stealthy couple found the cav'
and spent an hour or more within 10
walls, sallying forth after the tard,
darkness had crept down over thu
mountain and into the peaceful valley
Then began the tortuous descent. Quin
pox IN the lead. they walked. crawlet
and ran down the narrow path
A-.4~od sorafabad and aching nv tn