Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-07-04
CHAPTER XIII.
THE yIsITOR AT MIDNIGHT.


CHAPTER XIII.
THE VISITOR AT MIDNIGHT.
- ELOW the castle and it's dis.
~ tressed occupants, in q dark,
damp little room, Grenfall Lor-
ry lived a year in day. On
the night Of the 18th, or, rather, near
the break of dawn on the 18th, Captain
Ouinnox guided him from the danger
ous streets Of Edelweiss to the secret
passage, and he was safe for the time
being. The entrance to the passage
was through q skillfully hidden open
ing in the wall that inclosed the park.
A stone doorway so cleverly construct
ed that It defied detection led to set
of steps, which in turn took one to a
long, narrow passage. This ended IN
a stairway fully q quarter Of a mile
from its beginning. Ascending this
stairway one came to q secret panel
through which, by pressing spring,
the interior Of the castle was reached.
The location Of the panel was In one
OF the recesses in the wall Of the chap
el, near the altar. 1t was in this chap
el that Yetive exchanged her male at
tire for q loose gown weeks before, and
the servant who saw her come from
the door at an unearthly hour in the
morning believed she had gone there
to seek surcease from the troubles
which oppressed her.
Lorry was impatient to rush forth
from his place Of hiding and to end all
suspense, but Quinnox demurred. he
begged the eager American to remain
In the passage until the night OF the
10th, when, all things going well, he
might be 80 fortunate as to reach the
princess without being seen. 1t was
the secret hope Of the guilty captain
that his charge could be induced by the
princess to return to the monastery 10
avoid complications. He promised to
inform her highness Of his presence In
the underground room and to arrange
for a meeting. The miserable fellow
could not find courage to confess his
disobedience to his trusting mistress.
Many times during the day she had
seen him lowering near, approaching
and then retreating, and had wondered
not q little at bis peculiar manner. ~
And SO it was that Lorry chafed and
writhed through long day Of suspense
and agony. Quinnox had brought to
the little room some candles, food and
bedding, but he utilized only the for
mer. The hours went by and no sum-
mons called him to her side. What
was to become of him? What was to
be the end Of this drama? What
would the night, the morrow. bring
about?
It was 8 o'clock In the evening when
Quinnox returned to the little room.
The waiting one had looked at his
watch a hundred times, had run in
sanely up and down the passage In
quest Of the secret exit, had shouted
aloud in the frenzy Of desperation.
"Have you seen herr" he cried. grasp
Ing the newcomers hand.
II have; but, before God, I could not
tell her what l had done! Your visit
will be surprise, fear shock"
"Then how am to see her? Fool!
Am to wait here forever
"Have patience! l will take you to
her tonight-aye, within an hour. To
morrow morning she signs away the
northern provinces, and her instruc-
tons are that she Is not to be disturbed
tonight. Not even will she see the
Countess Dagmar after 8 O'Clock. 1t
breaks my heart to see the sorrow that
abounds in the castle tonight. Her
highness insists on being alone, and
Bassot, the new guard, has orders to
admit no one to her apartments. He
Is i'll, and have promised that sub
stitute shall relieve him at II o'clock.
You are to be the substitute. Here Is
q part Of an old uniform Of mine, and
here is a coat that belonged to DAN
nox, who was about your size. Please
exchange the clothes you now have on
for these. apprehend no trouble in
reaching her door, for the household is
in gloom and the halls seem barren Of
life"
He threw the bundle on a chair, and
Lorry at once proceeded to don the
contents. In very short time he wore
instead Of the cellkeeper's garments a
neat fitting uniform Of the royal guard.
He was trembling violently, chilled to
the bone with nervousness, as they be-
gan the ascent of the stairs leading to
the chapel. The crisis in his life, he
felt, was near at hand.
Under the stealthy hand Of Quinnox
the panel opened. and they listened In
tently for some moments. There was
no one in the,dimly lighted chapel, 80
they made their way to the door at the
opposite end. Before unlocking the
door the captain pointed to q lance
which stood against the wall near by.
You are to carry that lance" he
said briefly. Then he cautiously peer
ed forth. A moment later they were
in the broad hall. boldly striding to-
w..rd the distant stairway. Lorry had
been instructed to proceed without the
least sign Of timidity. They passed
several attendants in the hall and
heard Count Halfont's voice in conver-
sation with some one in an anteroom.
As they neared the broad steps who
should come tripping down but Harry
Anguish. He saluted Quinnox and
walked rapidly down the corridor, evi-
dently taking his departure after call
on the countess.
There goes your hostage" said the
captain grimly. 1t had required all OF
Lorry's self possession to restrain the
cry Of joyful recognition. Up the stair