The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-12
CHAPTER xII.-tCoutinued., 4


~ a. safe, joined reckieSsly In the insane
sot The leaping, dancing fire Of fasots
rlowed redly in the center OF the cavern,
ssosting a ruddy light upon each of those
AK swarthy, unshorn countenances,
V' ~, and fierce. that clustered about it.
Ti~bor and higher leaped the flames, and
more noisy grew the merriment of the
hriaands, till, finally, there came lHll
N The wild tempest of nirth. One by
ono grew less clamorous, slowly drows-
mass overcame them, and shortly every
,non Law stretched upon the heaps of
sims that covered the cavern floor, In
torpor. even to Gasparde himself.
with cat-lke caution, light tread de-
,canded the rough-hewn steps; dark
torm was visible by the red glow Of the
.mederng embers; slowly and carefully
down from the mouth it came, pausing
~ each step, and Raimonde's eyes glanc-
I'd from face to face of those sleepers.
10 had been watching ever since this
noisy revp commenced, and now was the
time come when, without guard or watch
or, the way was left clear for him.
Stealing noisplessly in, he scattered up
on the dying embers, from a small par
rel in his hand, fine powder that caus-
ed a light cracking sound as it fell
among them, and almost Immediately a
rloud of thin white vapOr arose, spreading
and circling till it filled the entire cav
prn, and curious odor, faint, yet over
poweriug. was perceptibly proceeding
from it. Raimonde holding q handker-
chief to his face, waited some five or ten
minutes, then, approaching the senseless
form of Gasparde, deXterously removed
from the cathern belt about his waist
the ponderous keys that belonged to the
cells.
Safe enough now, monsieur lie capt.
tame, III warrant" he muttered, with
low chuckle You should be little
less careless All people are not as hon
est as YOURSELF.
Swiftly and quietly he traversed the
gallery leading to the cells and opened
the first door 1t CHANGED to be the one
in which the count was confined. Louis
heard the heavy key turning in the
wards; he looked to see Gasparde. But
It was careful hand that Enclosed the
door, and silently into the cell stepped
Ramonde
Hist! be quiet, monsieur lie COMPETE"
he whispered, as Louis, recognizing him,
Sprang to his feet, with a half-suppress-
ed exclamation of surprise; "do not
speak. have come to give you your
lbertyw
Ny liberty, Raimonde! Where are
the bFigands? Where is Gasparde?"
Sound asleep, monsieur; and 1 have
some reason to believe they won't wake
ina hurry, l have given them something
to help. I1ere-I will take off these jew
els Of yours; l dare say you won't be
sorry to be rid of them" And STOPPING
down, he unlocked and knocked off the
letters of the count.
Ten thousand thanks, Raimonden' ex-
claimed Louis, warmly. But how did
you Know We had been retaken?'
l had returned to the cavern to get
something which | had left here, mon
Heur, and was going away again, when
we saw the men coming back with you
and jacques You were in a swoon,
suppose, for it took two or three to carry
you We had some ado to get out of
their way-Nichel and Without being
SEEN watched, afterwards, while they
were carousing around the fire, and stole
Ill., they are quiet enough now. Come,
monsieur; but stop moment. | see you
Will need something more than what you
wear now. | will come back In a mo-
ment"
lie left the cell, and directly returned,
carrying bundle Of garments very much
nAe thOse Louis was accustomed to wear
III his excursions about the country. The
young man lost no time in assuming
'nelh' and then left the cell with his COM
paaon; How his heart leaped! What
'nFlll ran through him as he felt that
nc was once more at liberty
"ai'hondes next step was to liberate
IIoeques' The poor fellow was almost
Oeslde himself with joy, and only the alb
SOlute need of silence kept him from Civ
Hs unDounded expression to his delight.
- stepping cautiously among the extend
tL loiLlS OF the drugged slumberers, the
s n.ee rapidly assembled to the entrance,
Splan , out upon the forest soil and sped
I dapluiV and silently away in the early
ua"n' Cool and fresh the morning wind
n Sn'e 10 the brows Of these men, so lately
pss'Soners' and it was like the benediction
Un an angel. For some distance they
pI n;N their way together, and then
"almonde paused.
r, No"' monsieur lie compile, will leave
i iou' as wish to strike off to the right
with me-" 0"'queS ~
turn "ssllIweIl; then bid you adieu! re-
bnnI' the count, warmly, grasping his
WIN VIII ana l trust we shall meet again,
row .n ! may offer you a more adequate
caiv "tu lor your services than you re-
sonS last night. 1 thank you a thou
'"au times, my friendv'
Jana nu they separated, Raimonde and
and 4Ies taking a right-hand direction,
ta nu Louis keeping the path to the cha
unon 0t te as he advanced, some object
Pickinrnn e ground attracted his attention.
tiO nAing 1t up, he found it to be a little
haS supper. 1t was one of hers! He
unor G &c her wear it often. He gazed
utto ~ II lor moment with feelings Of I'M
bis e bno emotion, and then placed 1t In
derIv oo e. little Rosev' he murmured ten
WI, where are you now?"
he MI rn the little relic safe in his breast,
tho pressed trs on. Soon he observed that
been '1 ta all about him appeared to have
~ uampled and orusboa til ,,ony