The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-12-03
CHATTER XII.-(Continued.l

maddcned by the cool, courageous uen-
ance of his prisoner, and with rejecting
on the loss of the prize he had thought
SO safe. joined reckleSsly in the insane
riot. The leaping, dancing fire of fagots
glOwed redly in the center of the cavern,
casting a rudy light upon each of those
dark swarthy, unShOrn cOuntenances,
grim and fierce. that clustered about 1t.
Higher and higher leaped the flames, and
more noisy grew the merriment of the
brigands, till. finally, there came lull
I'm the wild tempest Of mirth One by
one grew less clamorous, slowly drows-
mess overcame them, and shortly every
man lay stretched upon the heaps of
skins that covered the cavern floor, in
torpor, even to Gasparde himself.
With cat-like caution, light tread de-
seconded the rOugh-hewn steps; dark
form was visible by the red glow OF the
smoderng embers; slowly and carefully
down from the mouth it came, pausing
at each STEP and Raimonde's eyes glanc-
ed from face to face of those sleepers.
He had been watching ever since this
noisy revel commenced, and now was the
time come when, without guard or watch
cr, the way was left clear for him.
on the dying embers, from a small par
eel in his hand, fine powder that caus-
ed light cracking sound as it fell
among them, and almost Immediately
cloud of thin white vapor arose, spreading
and circling till it filled the entire cav
ern, and a curious odor, faint, yet over
powering, was perceptibly proceeding
from it. Raimonde. holding handker-
chief to his face, waited some five or ten
minutes. then, approaching the senseless
form of Gasparde, deXterously removed
from the leathern belt about his waist
the ponderous keys that belonged to the
cells.
Safe enough now monsieur lie capt.
taine, I'll warrant he muttered, with
low chuckle you should be a 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 Glanced 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 a careful hand that Enclosed the
door, and silently into the cell stepped
Raimonde.
Hist. be quiet, monsieur lie compile"
he whispered, as Louis, recognizing him.
sprang to his feet, with half-suppress-
ed exclamation of surprise; "do not
speak. | have come to give you your
liberty"
MY liberty, Raimonde Where are
the brigands? Where is Gasparde?"
Sound asleep, monsieur; and | have
in Il hurry. | have given them something
to help. Here-I will take off these jew
els of yours; | 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, Raimoude" ex-
claimed Louis, warmly. But how did
you know we had been retaken?'
II had returned to the cavern to get
something which | had left here. mon
sieur 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-Michel and without being
seen. | watched, afterwards, while they
were carousing around the fire. and stole
in. 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."
He left the cell, and directly returned,
carrying a bundle of garments very much
like those Louis was accustomed TO wear
In his excursions about the country. The
in mi ,,y
them, and then left the cell with his com
paniOn. How his heart leaped! What
q thrill ran through him as he felt that
he was once more at liberty!
Rsimonde's next step was to liberate
Jacques. The poor fellow was almost
beside himself with JOY, and only the alb
solute need of silence kept him from Civ
Ing unbounded expression 10 his delight.
Stepping cautiously among the extend
ed forms of the drugged slumberers, the
three rapidly assembled to the entrance,
spraug out upon the forest soil and sped
rapidly and silently away in the early
dawn. Cool and fresh the morning wind
came to the brows of these men. so lately
prisoners. and it was like the benediction
of an angel. For some distance they
pursued their way together, and then
Raimonde paused.
Now, monsieur lie compile. will leave
you. as | wish to strike off to the right
here. | should like to have Jacques go
with me-"
'Well-well; then bid you adieu" re-
turned the count, warmly, grasping his
hand; land | trust we shall meet again,
when | may offer you more adequate
reward for your services than you re-
ceived last night. l thank you a thou
sand times, my friendr
And they separated, Raimonde and
Jacques taking a right-hand direction,
and I,0uiS kaanino tho na@h - A.