Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-03
CHAPTER tx.

footsteps no sound was distinguishable.
A sense of oppression came over the
two watchers us the minutes grew
longer and more deathlike in their still
ness. st4s
They knew nothing Of the surround
ings. If they failed, there was the dam
ger of being shot by the guards before
IN explanation could be made. II they
succeeded. it must be through sheer
good fortune and not through, prowess
of mind or muscle. Both knew the
sensible, judicious act would be to
alarm tile guards md thus avoid all
possible chance of a fasco. With mis-
giyings and doubts In their hearts the
two self appointed guardians of the
princess lay there upon the grass.
afraid to give up the project, yet fear
ing the outcome.
The dickens will be to pay, Lorry.
IL they dispose of this guard on the in
side and lock the gate. Then how are
we to follow?" whispered Anguish.
Lorry was thoughtful for awhile. He
felt the chill of encouragement in his
heart.
80 i
I'm that case we must lie outside and
wait till they come out with the prin-
cess; then make sudden assault and
rescue her. In the darkness we can
make them think there are dozen res
cuers,' lie whispered at length. After
awhile Anguish asked another appal-
ling question, the outgrowth of brain
racking study:
Suppose these fellows, who will be
in guards uniform, should turn about
and capture us. What then? We are
strangers, and our story would not be
believed. They could slip away in the
excitement and leave us in very awk-
ward position"
Harry, If we are going to hatch up
all sorts of possibilities, let's give up
the thing right now. have thought Of
a thousand contingencies, and realize
how desperate the job is to be. We
must either cast discretion to the winds
or we must retreat. Which shall we
do?"
Cast aside discretion and hang our
fears" said the other, once more in:
spircd. .We'll take chances and hope
for the best. If we see we are going to
fail, we can then call for the guards.
The grounds are doubtless full of sol
diers. The only part I'm worried about
Is the cropping through that strange
dark CASTLE"
1--WE must do some calculating, and
we must stick close together. By
watching where they station the two
viennese we can figure about what di.
rection we must take to get to the prin-
cess room. Sh! Isn't that some one
approaching?"
They strained their ears for a mo-
ment and then tnvoluntarily. spasmod-
tcally shook hands, each heaying the
deep breath of excitement. The stealthy
rustic Of moving bodies was heard,
faint. but positive. 1t was a moment
Of suspense that would have strained
the nerve of a stone image. Where
were the abductors? On which side Of
the road and from what direction did
they conner Oh, for the eyes of cat!
There was slight shutting OF feet
near the gate, suppressed ..Shy' and
then deathly silence. The gate opened,
a faint creaking attesting the fact, fol-
lowed by the heavy breathing of men,
the noise of subdued activity, the scent
LOT chloroform, some whispering and
then the creaking Of the gate.
They've gone" whispered Anguish;
Lorry's form arose to crouching pos
turc, and a moment later he was cross
ing the road with the tread OF cat,
his cane gripped firmly in his hand.
Anguish followed with drawn revolver.
So still was their approach that they
were upon the figure Of man before
they were aware Of the fact. In the
darkness the foremost American saw
The outline of a human figure bending
over long object on the ground. He
could smell chloroform strongly and
grasped the situation. The yiennese
was administering the drug, his COM
panions having left that duty for him
to perform. No doubt the treacherous
guardsman was lying calmly on his
lack. bound and gagged, welcoming
unconsciousness with q smile Of securi-
ty.
AS soon as Lorry gained his bearings
fully he prepared to fell the wretch
who was to stand watch. Anguish
heard his friends figure suddenly shoot
to an erect position. There was whir-
ring sound as of disturbed air and then
. dull thud. Something rolled over on
the ground, and all was stiiI. He was
ut Lorry' side in an instant.
II hope / haven't killed himp whis-
pered Lorry. "Quickl Here is his bot
tie of ether. Hold 1t beneath his nose.
am going to pile the body Of this
guard crosswise on top OF him. He will
not be able to arise If he should recov.
er consciousness"
All this was done in moments time,
and the two trackers were headed for
the entrance. The gate was ajar two
or three feet. With turbulent hearts
they stole through.
Keep along the wall" whispered
Lorry, "and trust to luck. The castle
is to the left"
Without hesitation they crept over
the noiseless grass close beside the
wall. Directly they heard sounds near
at hand. The abductors were binding
and chloroforming the guard at the ar.
Dor. After waiting for some moments
they heard the party glide away in the
darkness and followed. The body OF
the guard was lying just outside the
mouth Of the arbor, and the odor OF
chloroform was almost Oyerpowerinr