Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-05-27
CHAPTER TX.

the grassy ditch or gutter tney
smoke not more than half a
dozen times and in the faintest
of whispers. They could hear the
guard pacing the driveway inside the
ponderous gate. but aside from his
footsteps no sound was distinguishable.
A sense of oppression came over the
two watchers as the minutes grew
longer and more deathlike In their still-
ness.
They knew nothing Of the surround
ings. II they failed, there was the dan
ger of being shot by the guards before
an explanation could be made. II they
succeeded, it must be through sheer
good fortune and not through prowess
of mind or muscle. Both knew the
sensible, judicious act would be to
alarm the guards and thus avoid all
possible chance Of fasco. With mis-
eiyings and doubts in their hearts the
two self appointed guardians OF the
princess lay there upon the grass,
afraid to give up the project yet fear
mX Tue OuICOmc.
"The dickens will be to pay, Lorry,
II they dispose Of this guard on the In
side and lock the gate. Then how are
we to follow" whispered Anguish.
Lorry was thoughtful for awhile. He
felt the chill of discouragement In his
heart.
"In that case we must lie outside and
wait till they come out with the prin'
cess; then make a sudden assault and
rescue her. In the darkness we can
make them think there are dozen res
cuers," he whispered at length. After
awhile Anguish asked another appal-
ling question, the outgrowth Of brain
racking study:
Suppose these fellows, who will be
In guards uniform, should turn about
and capture US. What then? We are
strangers, and our story would not be
believed. They could slip away In the
excitement and leave us in very awk-
ward position"
Harry. II we are going to hatch up
all sorts Of possibilities, let's give up
the thing right now. I have thought Of
q thousand contingencies, and l realize
how desperate, the job is to be. We
must either cast discretion to the winds
or we must retreat. Which shall we
doY'
Cast aside discretion and hang our
fears" said the other. once more In
spired. "We'll take chances and hope
for the best. If we see we are going to
fail, we can then call for the guards.
The grounds are doubtless full Of sol,
diers. The only part I'm worried about
Is the cropping through that strange
dark CASTLE"
1--WE must do some calculating. and
we must stick close together. BY
watching where they station the two
viennese we can figure about what d.
rection we must take to get to the prin,
cess room. Sh! Isn't that some one
approaching"
They strained their ears for mo-
ment and then involuntarily. spasmod.
ically shook hands. each heaving the
deep breath Of excitement. The stealthy
rustic of moving bodies was heard.
faint, but positive. 1t was moment
Of suspense that would have strained
the nerve of a stone image. Where
were the abductors? On which side Of
the road and from what direction did
they come? Oh. for the eyes Of cat!
There was a slight shuff1ing Of feet
near the gate. a suppressed "Sh" and
then deathly silence. The gate opened.
q faint creaking attestlng the fact. fol
lowed by the heavy breathing Of men.
the noise of subdued activity. the scent
of chloroform. some whispering and
then the creaking Of the gate.
They've gone," whispered Anguish.
Lorry's form arose to crouching pos
ture. and moment later he was cross.
ing the road with the tread Of cat.
his cane gripped firmly in his hand.
Anguish followed with drawn revolver.
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 a long object on the ground. He
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 his
back. bound and gagged. welcoming
ty.
As soon az 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 as Of disturbed air and then
dull thud. Something rolled over or
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 it beneath his nose.
am going to pile the body Of this
guard crosswise ON top of him. He will
not b., 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, land trust to luck. The castle
is to the left"
Without hesitation they crept over
the noiseless grass close beside the