The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-11-12
CHAPTER xII.-tContinued.,

on the loss of the prize he had thouEAt
10 safe, Joined recklessly In the insane
riot. The leaping, dancing fire OF ragots
Slowed redly In the center Of the caverh'
casting a ruddy light upon each OF thsse
dark, swarthy, unshorn countenanees'
grim and fierce, that clustered about 1t.
Higher and higher leaped the flames. ana
more noisy grew the merriment OF the
brigands, till, finally, there came laii
In the wild tempest Of mirth. one py
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
a torpor, even to Gasparde himself
With cat-like caution, a light tread ae-
scended the rough-hewn steps; DARK
form was visible by the red glow OF tne
smolderIng embers; slowly and carefany
down from the mouth 1t came, pausng
at each step, and Raimonde's eyes glahc-
ed from face to face of those sleepeFs.
He had been watching ever since this
noisy reyel commenced, and now was tns
time come when, without guard or watch
er, the way was left clear for him.
Stealing noiselessly in, he scattered up
on the dying embers, from a small par"
eel in his hand, fine powder that caus-
ed a light cracking sound as 1t fell
among them, and almost immediatsly
cloud Of thin white vapor arose, spreading
and clrcling till 1t filed the entire cav
ern, and curious odor, faint, yet over
powering, was perceptibly proceeding
from 1t. Ralmonde, holding a handker'
L. cd
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 10 capi-
taine, I'll warrant he muttered, with
a low chuckle. "You should be little
less careless. All people are not as hon
est as yourselfv
Swiftly and quietly he traversed the
gallery leading to the cells and opened
the first door. 1t chanced 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 compte"
he whispered, as Louis, recognizing him,
sprang to his feet, with a half-suppress-
ed exclamation of surprise; do not
speak. have come to give you your
libertyp
''My liberty, Ralmonde! Where are
the brigands? Where Is GaspardeW
"Sound asleep, monsieur; and | have
some reason to believe they won't wake
In a hurry. have given them something
TO help. Here-I will take off these jew
els of yours; l dare say you won't be
sorry to be rid Of them" And STOPPING
down, he unlocked and knocked off the
fetters of the count.
"Ten thousand thanks, Raimonde! ex-
claimed Louis, warmly. "But how did
you know we had been retakenT
II had returned to the cavern to get
something which had left here, mon
sisur, 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. l see you
will need something more than what yor
wear now. | will come back In a mo
ment."
He left the cell, and directly returned
carrying bundle Of garments very much
like those Louis was accustomed TO veal
In his excursions about the country. The
young man lost no time in assumint
them, and then left the cell with his com
panion. How his heart leaped! Wha
q thrill ran through him as he felt tAa'
be was once more at liberty!
Raimondes next step was to liberat'
Jacques. The poor fellow was almos
beside himself with joy, and only the sb
uolute need of silence kept him from Civ
ing unbounded expression to his delight
Stepping cautiously among the extend
ed forms Of the drugged slumberers, tn
three rapidly ascended to the entrsnce
gprang out upon the forest soil and spet
RAPIDLY and silently away In the earl
dawn. Cool and fresh the morning win,
came to the brows of these men, so latel
prisoners, and It was like the benedictiol
of an angel For some distance the
pursued their way together, and the
Raimonde paused.
"Now, monsieur lie compte, will leav
you, as | wish to strike off to the righ
here. l should like to have Jacques 6
with me-"
"Well-well; then bid you adieu" re
turned the count, warmly, grasping hi
hand; "and l trust we shall meet again
when may offer you a more adeQuat
reward for your services than you Il
reiyed last night. / thank you a thou
sand times, my friendV
And they separated, Raimonde an
Jacques taking a right-hand direction
and Louis keeping the path to the chi
teau.
Suddenly, as he advanced. some objet
upon the ground attracted his attention
Picking it up, he found 1t to be lit
tiny slipper. 1t was one Of hersl h
had seen her wear 1t often. He gaze
upon 1t for a moment with feelings Of u
utterable emotion, and then placed 1t
bis breast.
Poor little Roser' he murmured te
derly; where are you nowT'
With the little relic safe In his breas
he pressed on. Soon he observed th
the turf all about him appeared to ha'
been trampled aud crushed with maj
feet. whose impress it still bore, Ever
where as he went this appearance co
tInued. Further on, he came upon
torch lying extingulshed upon the sreun
Anon he picked up a handkerchief, ei
broidered with delicate cipher-Frsnt
Egerton's own. What could 1t meant
reflected a moment. Yes-they had be
seeking her-the people from the ehste
seeking for Rose, their lost daTlfr
And this torch was evidently one Will
they had carried in their search by mig
He was encouraged to think that tn
had found her.
"And now, Gasparde," he said, Inv
unfairly speaking aloud-"now. II
your anticipated victims are safe III
your tolls, look to your own safety!
that den OF yours shall be opened to
light. and its iniQuitous secrets reveali
r,ao ahau 1afhar this Il