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

There was no time to be lost. The
abductors were creeping up the steps
already, and the cook must be dis
posed of. He had blown out the light
which he carried and was now very
dim shadow. Lorry glided forward
and in an instant stood before the
amazed fellow, jamming a pistol into
his face.
"a sound and you diev he hissed.
"Don't mover came another whis-
per, and second revolver touched his
ear. The cook, perhaps, did not know
their language, but he certainly under.
stood its meaning. He trembled and
would have fallen to the floor had not
the strong hand Of Lorry pinned him
to the wall. The hand was on bis
throat 100.
"Chleroform him, Harry, and don't
let him make q soundw whispered the
owner of the hand. Anguish's twitch-
ing fingers succeeded those Of his
friend OH the cooks throat, his pistol
wan returned to his pocket, and the
little bottle came again into use.
'T'll go ahead. Follow me as soon
as you have finished this fellow Be
careful and turn to the left when you
come to the top"
Lorry was off across the marble floor,
headed for the stairway, and Anguish
was left in charge Of the cook, Of whom
he was to make short work. Now
came the desperate, uncertain part OF
the transaction. Suppose he were to
meet the two conspirators at the head
of the stairs, or In the hall, or that the
other traitor, Dannox, should appear
to frustrate all. 1t was the most try
ing moment in the whole life OF the
reckless Lorry.
When near the top Of the steps, he
hugged the high balustrade and eau
tiously peered ahead. He found him
self looking down a long hall, at the
far end Of which, to his right, dim
light was burning. There was no
sound and there was no sign Of the
two men either to the right or to the
left. His heart felt like lead. They
evidently lad entered the princess
room. How was he to find that room
Slowly he wriggled across the broad,
dark hall, Strengthening up in the
shadow of great post. From this
point he edged along the wall for dis
lance Of ten or twelve feet to the left
A sound came from farther down the
hall, and he imagined he heard some
one approaching.
His hand came in contact with q
heavy hanging or tapestry, and he
quickly squirmed behind its folds, find
Ing himself against a door which
moved as his body touched 1t. He felt
it swing open slightly and drew back,
intending to return to the hall, uncer-
tain and very much undecided as to the
course to pursue. His revolver was In
his hand. Just as he was about to pull
aside the curtain man glided past,
quickly followed by another. Provi-
dence had kept him from running
squarely into them. They were going
toward the left, and he realized that
they were now approaching the prin-
cess room. How he came to be ahead
Of them he could not imagine. Again
he felt the door move slightly as he
pressed against it. The necessity for q
partial recovery Of his composure be-
fore the next and most important step
impelled him softly to enter the room
for an instant's breath.
Holding to the door, he stood inside
and drew himself to his full height,
taking q long and tremulous breath.
There was no light in the room, but
through the door crack to his left came
q dim, broad streak. He now knew
where he was. This room was next to
that in which the princess slept, for
had he not seen the light from her
window? Perhaps he was now in the
room Of the Countess Dagmar. Next
door! Next door! Even now the dar-
ing Geddos and Ostrom were crawling
toward the bed Of the ruler Of Grau.
stark, not twenty feet away. His
first impulse was to cross and open the
door leading to the next room, sur
missing that it would be unlocked, but
he remembered Anguish, who was
doubtless, by this time, stealing up the
stairs. They must not be separated,
for it would require two steady, cool
heads to deal with the villains. 1t was
not one mans work. AS he turned to
leave the room he thought how won
derfully we'll they had succeeded In
the delicate enterprise so far.
His knees struck the door, and there
was dull thump, not loud in reality,
but like the report Of gun to him. A
sudden rustic in the darkness Of the
room, and then sleepy voice, soft and
quick, as Of q woman awakening with
start:
"Who is it?"
His heart ceased beating, his body
grew stiff and immovable. Again the
voice, a touch Of alarm in 1t now:
"Is that you, Dannox"
She spoke in German, and the voice
came from somewhere in front and to
his right. He could not answer, could
not move. The paralysis of indecision
was upon him.
"How is 1t that the outer door Is
open"
This time there was something like
reprimand in the tones, still low.
He almost could see the wide open.
searching eyes.