The San Francisco call., 1903-12-13

DICK and not 10 me-She unlocked anu
opened the door to the wine vault, ana
in a trice we two and the luckless horses
were safely jailed in pitchy DARKNESS
with the stout oaken door slammed pc
hind US, the bolt shot in the lock, ana
the key withdrawn, as we could see py
the spot Of light which came through
the keyhole.
day wore on to evening and storm
came on. we could determine
though no otherwise than by the muffied
rolling OF the thunder which, since We
could not see the lightning nor hear the
rain. we took at first for the booming OF
distant cannon.
Jennifer had resumed his pacing SEN
try beat, and at this juncture most
singular thing happened. Though we
We're sealed in. as / have said. from the
outer world with no crack nor Granny
for "A peephole, a binding flash OF light
ming. blue and CHASTITY came suddenly to
I'LL the whole cellar with its vivid glare.
Good LOrdi" says Richard. clapping
his hands to his eyes; where did that
come FROM"
l was wholly at loss for a moment.
Then I remembered that there was, or
had been in my boyhood days. narrow.
iron-barred window in the farther end of
the wine cellar, opening beneath that
other window Of the great south room
where / had climbed TO spy upon the
cOnspiratOrs on the night Of Captain
John Stuart's visit TO Appleby. So II
chanced that when another flash came
was looking straight over Dicks head at
the place IN the farther arcnlnB OF the
vault where the little window should be.
The momentary glare showed me the
low square of the window opening, and
framed for fitting instant therein
face Of most devilish malignity peering
in upon me with foxy-ferce eyes; the
face. 10 wit of Gilbert Stairs lawyer
factor.
In a twinkling the vision was gone.
and in the space between the flash and
the crash there was a sound as of
wooden shutter slamming in place. Dick
heard the noise without knowing the
cause Of il, being so far beneath the
window as to see nothing but the light
ing Of the glare.
9.What was that?" he demanded. when
the thunder gave him leave.
Twas our trapper clapping the shut
ter on the window over your head" said
l. He was looking in to see if we were
ripe for hanging"
4 mean that we shall have a file Of
redcOats down upon US as soon as ever
Mr.. owen Pengarvin can give the alarm
"Ohot" said Dick; and then he pulled
his sword from its sea abbard. and I could
see the battle-veins swelling in his fore
head. They can hang me when am too
dead TO cut and thrust more-not
sooner"
1 got me up and went to find the sword
which 7 had laid aside in the horse-bait-
ing. Twas a poor blade-One Of our
captures at the Cowpens: and when 1
tried its temper il snapped in my hand.
Never mind" said 1; give me the
broadsword scabbard and 1 will play it
as a cudgel, It's long enough and full
heavy enough
He laughed and clapped me on the
shoulder, swearing out his love for me
as II I had said something moving. You
are every inch a soldier Jack: you would
put heart into a worse craven than am
ever like TO be-" And he lOOsed the iron
scabbard and gave it 30 me-
Now ensued a most painful time of
rfan ann of
our takers. We posted us near the door,
a little to the side, so that its inswing
might not catch US; and so, bracing for
the onset, we waited till the strain or
suspense grew so great that we both
started like frightened children, when
finally the key was thrust into the lock
and the bolt shut back
But when the heavy door gave inward.
as at the pushing Of a weak or timid
hand. we saw our dear lady standing in
the half gloom Of the ante-dungeon,
breathless and trembling with excite
ment
Come" she painted: come quickly
there is not an instant to spare. The
factor has betrayed you; he will be here
directly with the dragoonsI
/ cut in swiftly. He has not seen
Dick; does he know we are both here?'
She had one hand on her heart to still
its tumultuous beating. and the other
held behind her, and she could scarce
speak more for her eagerness to have US
out and away.
no; II was you he saw; and my father
heard Colonel TarletOn give the order
Lieutenant Tybee is TO take file of his
men and hang without grace the
man he will find hiding in the wine eel
lar; those were his very words. Oh,
merciful heavenl will you never stir?"
Richard gave a low whistle.
so Tybee has come alive in good
time 10 square the old account with US.
he would say; but my wonder was great
er on the other head. Your father" [
gasped. And he sent you to save me?'
Surely" she said Are you not once
again his guest. Captain IretOn?" Then
s1e stamped her foot, and though the
candle light was Of the poorest. 1 could
see her eyes fash. will you sduander
the last moment in silly questions? she
burst out. Come, ] say"
1 smiled Give me that sword you are
hiding behind you and / will keep the
door while you snirit Dick away. He is
not to be in this"
She gave me the weapon, though not
as / made sure, in any consenting to my
proposal I could have cried out in sheer
joy when / found the sword to be my
own good blade of proof-the ancient
Ferara willed me by my father.
Sharp the crisis was. l make no
doubt should have asked her then and
there how she came by the blade l had
last seen when my Lord CORVALLIS tried
to break il over his knee; but the march
of events suddenly became too swift for
me. There was a sound of cautious foot
steps in the inclined passage leading
from the buffers pantry above, and our
chance for escape that way was gone.
TOO late" said Dick; and with an arm
about Margery he whipped behind the
great oaken door opened back against
the cellar wall, whispering me to follow.
We were scarce in hiding. with the
door well drawn back to screen US. when
the cautious footsteps came slowly into
the out-cellar. Peeping through the
crack behind the door we saw Pengarvin
alone.
What brought him there without his
tale Of armed men at his back no man
will ever know; but since his ways were
always crooked and devious, / guessed
he would not wish to appear in the mat
ter in his own proper person. and yet
could not deny himself 'forehand peep
10 see if the trap were still safe shut
and secure.
Twas evident he was much disconcert-
ed at finding the door open and the wine
vault apparently empty. At first he
would start and dodge as if to run away;
then his rage got the better of his eau
tion and he had one of those senseless
cursing fits / have told before you of.
raving and swearing and promising all
manner of fendish recompense to Mis-
tress Margery when he should have her
in his power.
little longer dwelling upon this va
ration of the cursing theme-ravings in