Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-03


with man whom am supposed to be
tracking to earth? Discovery will
brand me as traitor. l cannot deny
the charge without exposing her royal
highness."
Lorry turned cold He had not
thought of this alarming possibility
But his ready wit came again to his
relief, and with bright confident eyes
he swept away the obstacle.
of discovered, you are at once to
proclaim me a prisoner, take the credit
for having caught me and claim the
reward"
I'm that case you will not so to the
castle, but to the tower
'Not if you obey orders. The offer of
reward says that l must be delivered
to the undersigned You will take me
to her and not to the tower"
QuinnoX smiled and threw up his
hands as if unable to combat the quick
logic of his companion. Together they
made their way to the prior's cell, aft
erward to the abbot's apartment 1t
was barely IL o'clock. and he had not
retired. He questioned Quinnox closely
babe Lorry farewell and blessed him
sent his benediction to the princess
and ordered them conducted to the
gates.
Ten minutes later they stood outside
the wall, the great gates having been
closed sharply behind them. koove
them hung the silvely moon, full and
bright, throwing its refulgent splendor
over the mountain top with all the
brilliancy of day. Never before had
Lorry seen the moon so accursedly
bright
Cad, it is like day" he exclaimed.
GAS told you, sir" agreed the other,
reproof in his voice.
I'VE must wait until the moon goes
down. 1t won't do to risk it now. Can
we not go somewhere to keep warm
for an hour or so?"
There is a cave farther down the
mountain. Shall we take the chance of
reaching it?"
BY all means. 1 can't endure the
cold after being cooped up for so
long"
They followed the winding road for
some distance down the mountain, com
ing at last to a point where a small
path branched Off. 1t was the path
leading down the side of the steep
overlooking the city, and upon that
side no wagon road could be built.
Seven thousand feet below stretched
the sleeping, moonlit city. Standing
out on the brow of the mountain, they
seemed to be the only living objects in
the world. There was no sign of life.
above, below or beside them.
How long should we be in making
the descent?' asked Lorry, a sort of
terror possessing him as he looked
from the dizzy height into the ghostlike
dimness below.
'Ihree hours if you are strong
"And how are we to get into the cas-
tie? | hadn't thought of that
'"There is secret entrance" said
Quinnox, maliciously enjoying the in
sistent ones acknowledgment of weak
ness. IF we reach it safely, l can take
you under ground to the old dungeons
beneath the castle. 1t may be some
time before you can enter 5he halls
above, for the secret passage is guard
ed jealousy. There are but five people
who know Of its existence
Great confidence is placed in you, I
see, and worthily, am sure. How is it
that you are trusted so Implicitly"
II inherit the confidence. The cap
tain of the guard is born to his posi-
ton. My ancestors held the place be-
fore me, and not one betrayed the
trust. The firstborn in the last ten gen
erations has been the captain of the
guard in the royal palace, possessing
all its secrets. shall be the first to be-
tray the trust, and for man who is
to me-"
II suppose you consider me selfish
and vile for placing you in this posi-
ton" said Lorry, somewhat contritely.
No. l have begun the task, and
will complete it, come what may" an
swered the captain firmly. You are
the only being in the world for whom
would sacrifice my honor voluntarily
save one"
81 have wondered why you We're
never tempted to turn traitor to the
princess and claim the fortune that is
represented in the reward"
Not for 100000 gavvos, sir"
BY George, you are faithful lot
pansloss, Abode and Ogbotand your
self, four honest men to whom she
trusts her life, her honor! You belong
to rare species, and am proud to
know you"
The stealthy couple found the cave
and spent an hour or more within it's
walls, sallying forth after the tardy
darkness had crept down over the
mountain and into the peaceful valley.
Then began the tortuous descent. Quin-
nox in the lead they walked, crawled
and ran down the narrow path,
bruised, scratched and aching by the
time they reached the topmost of the
houses along the face of the
mountain. After this walking was
easier, but stealthiness made their
progress slow. Frequently as they
neared the base they were obliged to
dodge behind houses or to drop into
the bitches by the roadside in order to
avoid patroiling police guards or Ak