Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-11

diers. The only part I'm worried about
is the cropping through that strange
dark CASTLE"
eve must do some calculating, and
we must stick close together. BY
watching where they station the two
Viennese we can figure about what d.
rection we must take to get to the prin-
cess room. Sh! Isn't that some one
approaching"
They strained their ears for mo-
ment and then Involuntary, spasmod-
ically shook hands, each heaving the
deep breath of excitement. The stealthy
rustic Of moving bodies was heard,
faint, but positive. 1t was moment
of suspense that would have strained
the nerve Of stone image. Where
were the abductors? On which side of
the road ana from what direction did
they come? oh, for the eyes of cat!
There was a slight shuffling of fee.
near the gate, suppressed Ssh" and
then deathly silence. The gate opened,
faint creaking attesting the fact, fol-
lowed by the heavy breathing of men,
the noise of subdued activity, the scent
of chloroform, some whispering and
then the creaking of the gate
They've gone" whispered Anguish
Lorry's form arose to crouching pos
ture, and 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
We're upon the figure of man before
they were aware of the fact In the
darkness the foremost American saw
the outline of human figure bending
over long object on the ground. He
could smell chloroform strongly and
grasped the situation The Viennese
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
back. bound and gagged, welcoming
Inconsistencies with smile of securl-
V.
AS soon as Lorry gained his bearings
fully ne 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
a dull thud. Something rolled over on
the ground. and all was still. He was
at Lorry's side In an instant.
81 hope l haven't killed himw whis-
pered Lorry. Quick! Here is his bot
tie of ether. Hold it beneath his nose
l am going to pile the body Of this
guard crosswise on top of him. He will
not be able to arise if he should recoy-
er consciousness"
All this was done in moments time
and the two crackers 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 overpowering
Once inside the long arbor, the Ameri-
cans moved slowly and with greater
| caution. There was a dim light in a
| basement window ahead. Toward the
front of the castle and in the second
story a faint glow came from another
window. They guessed it to be from
the princess, room or from that Of the
| countess.
At last they saw four figures steal
past the dim basement light. One OF
them halted near the window and three
crept away in the darkness. Presently
one of them returned, and all activity
was at an end for the time being How
near it was to 2 o'clock the watchers
could not tell. They only knew thai
they were within twenty-five feet OF
| Geddos and Ostrom and that they
would not have long to wait.
Soon q bright little blaze Of ligh'
crossed the basement opening. Their
it returned, crossing q second time ant
third. All was still again. The sof
shuttle Of foot, the rustic Of arbol
vines, and the form of man crawlet
up to the window. With inconceivabls
stealth and carefulness 1t glideG
through the aperture. followed by {
companion.
| Lorry and Anguish were at the open
ing second or two later, lying fat OF
their stomachs and listening for sound.
from within. The dim light was still
there, the window was open and there
was a sound Of whispering. Lerry
raised his head and peered through
taking calculations while the ligh
made it possible. He saw an open doc
on the opposite side Of the low room
with steps beyond leading upward
Between the window and the door ther,
were no obstacles. Up those step
he saw three men creep, the leade
carrying the dim light. The door wa
left open, doubtless to afford unim
| peded exit from the building in cas-,
Of emergency. Harry Anguish touche,
Lorry's arm.
n took the two pistols from tina