The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-06-24

Anguish, Wuo'wus- more or less or 4
dreamer himself, consented, and after
lighting fresh cigars they threw them
selves On the soft, dry grass near the
tail hedge that fenced the avenue as
it ncarcd the castle grounds. For half
an hour they talked by fits and starts,
one thinking of the face he had seen.
the other picturing in his artist eye the
painting he had vowed to create from
the moonlit castle Of an hour ago.
"Some one coming" murmured the
painter, half rising to his elbow at
tentively.
Soldiers" said the other briefly.
They'll not disturb u.s.
They'll not even see US, should
: say. It's as dark as Egypt under this
hedge. They'll pass If we keep quiet"
The figures Of two men could be seen
approaching from the city, dim and
ghostly in the semiblackness Of the
night. Like two thieves the Ameri-
cans waited for them to pass. To
their exceeding discontinue, however,
the pedestrians halted directly in trout
Of their resting place and seated them
selves leisurely upon 4 broad, fiat
stone at the roadside. 1t was too dark
! to see if they were soldiers, notwith-
standing the fact that they were less
than fifteen feet away
t'IIe should be here at 12," said one
Of the newcomers in a low voice and
in fairly good English. The other
merely Grunted. There was q silence
of some duration, broken by the first
speaker
"If this JOB fails and you are caught,
it will mean years of servitudc."
But in that case we are to have TO-
coo gavvos apiece for each year. we lie
in prison. It's fair pay-not only for
our failure, but for our silence" said
the other, whose English was more
difficult to understand.
Anguish's fingers gripped Lorry's leg,
but there was no sound from either Of
the thoroughly aroused dreamers. "a
plot, as I live" thought each, with
thrill.
1--WE must be careful to speak only in
English. There are not twenty people
in Edelweiss who understand it, but
the night has ears. 1t is the only safe
tongue. Geddos speaks it we'll. He
should be here" 1t was the first speak
er who uttered these words, little know
ing that he had listeners other than the
man to whom he spoke.
\ dark figure shot across the road
way, and, almost before the Americans
were aware Of it, the party numbered
three.
"Ah, Geddos, you are punctual."
II have found it ever virtue re-
sponded the newcomer.
Have you secured your men?'
81 have. your
Ssh! Call me Michael, on your life!
They are ready and, willing to under
take the venture?'
''Yes, but they do not understand tie
true conditions. I have told them that
we are to rob the castle and carry the
booty to Ganlook before morning"
"They do not know the real object Of
the raid, then. That is as desired. Are
they trusty and experienced men?'
The best-or the Worst--that l could
find in Vienna. Not one understands
our language. and they are so ignorant
Of our town that they are entirely de-
pendent on me. They know nothing
whatever of the princess, Michael, and
will do only as they are told, realizing
that if caught they will be suillotined.
I have told them it is the royal palace
we are to RIG. Ostrom here and are
the only ones except yourself and the
men who Will aid us inside the castle,
who know the truth, sir
1T cannot fail unless those inside
prove false or unworthy said the
hoarse voiced Cstrom. Anguish's I'm
gers were gripping Lorry's leg so fierce.
ly that the blood was ready to burst
out, but he did not feel the pain. Here,
then, was some gigantic plot in which
the. person Of the princess herself was
to be considered. Was it an assassina-
ton?
you have FIVE Of these Tiennese:"
"Yes; two to stand beneath the
window to receive tie booty as we
lower it to the ground, one to stand