Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-06-16


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 human figure bending
over long object on the ground. BE
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 bis
back. bound and gagged, welcoming
unconsciousness with 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 0s 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.
II hope l haven't killed him" whis-
pered Lorry. "Quick! Here is his bot
tie of ether Hold 1t 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 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 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 faint glow came from another
window. They guessed 1t 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 that
they were within twenty-five feet of
Geddos and Ostrom and that they
would not have long to wait.
Soon bright little blaze Of light
crossed the basement opening. Then
It returned, crossing a second time and
third. All was still again. The soft
shuttle of q foot, the rustic Of arbor
vines, and the form of a man crawled
up to the window. With incOnceivable
stealth and carefulness 1t glided
through the aperture, followed by a
companion.
Lorry and Anguish were ut the OPEN
ing q second or two later, lying fiat on
their stomachs and listening for sounds
from within. The dim light was still
there, the window was open and there
was a sound of whispering. Lorry
raised his head and peered through,
taking calculations while the light
made 1t possible. He saw an open door
on the opposite side Of the low room,
with steps beyond leading upward.
Between the window and the door there
were no obstacles. Up those steps
he saw three men creep, the leader
carrying the dim light. The door was
left open, doubtless to afford unim-
peded exit from the building in case
Of emergency. Harry Anguish touched
Lorry's arm.
II took the two pistols from that
Vienna man out there. We may need
them. Here is one for yourself. Go
first, Lorry," he whispered.
Lorry stuck the revolver in his coat
pocket and gently slid through the win
dow to the floor below. His friend fol-
lowed, and they paused to listen. TAX