The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-30

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with a sledge he asked that you
might be sent for"
Been hurt, has he::"
eyes, sir"
"Badly?'
sI believe no bones are broken,
but he is so badly sprained that he
cannot walk"
@Ah, then perhaps he wants me
to carry him home"
sI can't say as to that, sir. They
only sent me to find you. I don't
know the man myself"
There was something SO frank In
the statement thus made that Ru-
ric believed it all honest, and he
stood 10 longer in doubt.
'T will CO." he said. sBut lead
the way quickly, for I have no time
to waste
sI will lead as fast as you will
want to follow" answered the man.
And thus speaking he turned
back, and, having gone some dozen
rods by the way they had both come,
he turned down narrow street
which led toward the river. Half
way down this he went, and then he
turned again-this time to the left
and thus Ruric found himself in
narrow, dark lane, within which
the snow was deep and almost un-
trodden.
'Look ye," cried the youth, stop
ping as he found himself over knees
in snow, 'FI think we have gone
about far enough in this direction"
"This is the shortest way" said
the stranger guide apologetically.
81 did not think the snow was so
deep here. But it's only in the next
street"
'SThen on you 60"
Again the stranger started, and
Ruric followed on. The lane was a
crooked one, and more than once
the youth had another inclination
to stop. He had no direct fear, but
yet he had some just grounds for
doubt. Had he not seen what had
been attempted against the count
he might have had no such doubts
now, but as it was he thought that
if one attempt had been made to
ruin him through the emperor's dis
pleasure by the man who was now
trying to murder the count it would
not be at all improbable that some
more effective plan should be adopt
ed toward him. He was pondering
thus when they came to cross lane
full as narrow as this, into which
the guide turned.
Look ye once more, sirrahw
cried the youth, now stopping short.
'Do you call this street %
eyes, sir, and on this street we
shall find the man we seek. It is
only short cut from where he is
to the inn where your horse is, so
you won't have to retrace these du-
bious ways. Only a little farther,
SIR
ssBut don't like this y
'Why, bless you, sir, if you wish
to go direct to the inn where your
horse is this will be the nearest
way" ;,
And on they went, now slipping
on the ice, now in the snow to their
knees and anon stumbling along
over frozen bubbles and deep holes.
At length the guide stopped and
opened small gate which was fixed
in a high, thick brickwall. Ruric hes
itated here again. He had no weap-
on of any kind. If he had had even
pistol or a sword, he would have
cared not. But he did not show his
thoughts to his guide. The gate
opened with a creak upon its frosty
hinges, and by the dim starlight the
youth could see an open court be-
yond, and farther still house of
some kind loomed up.
'eThis place seems not to be used
much," !" remarked Ruric as he saw
the snow in the court was trodden
but little, only one OF two tracks
being visible from the gate to the
house.
"Ah-yes-you said-what %
"I said this place didn't seem to
be used much" !" the youth repeated,
though he was sure the fellow heard
the first time.
"Ah, yes-a-the usual entrance
is the other way, by the sledge
path
"And where is that ?" Ruric ask
ed, not being able to see any such