Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-11-17
& CHAPTER XII.-(Continued.)

ON the loss of the prize he had thought
so safe, joined recklessly in the insane
riot. The leaping, dancing fire of fagots
glowed redly in the center of the cavern,
casting. a ruddy light upon each of those
dark, swarthy, unshorn countenances,
grim and fierce, that clustered about it.
Higher and higher feaped the flames, and
more noisy grew the merriment Of the
brigands, till, finally, there came lull
in the wild tempest of mirth One by
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, light tread de-
scended the rough-hewn steps; a dark
form was visible by the red glow of the
smoidering embers; slowly and carefully
down from the mouth it came, pausing
at each step, and Raimonde's eyes glanc-
ed from face to face of those sleepers.
He had been watching ever since this
noisy revel commenced, and now was the
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 it fell
among them, and almost Immediately
cloHd Of thin white vapor arose, spreading
and eircling till it filled the entire cav
ern, and a curious odor, faint, yet over
pewering, was perceptibly proceeding
from it. Raimonde, holding a handker
chief to his face, waited some five or ten
miRntes, 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 lie 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 yourselfr'
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
1t was 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 half-suppress-
ed exclamation of surprise; ''dO not
speak. | have come to give you your
kbertyv'
my liberty, Raimonde! Where are
the brigands? Where is Gasparde?"
Sound asleep, monsieur; and l have
some reason to believe they won't wake
in hurry. l have given them something
to help. Here-I will take off these jew
els of yours; I 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, Raimonder' ex-
claimed Louis, warmly. ''But how did
you know we had been retaken?'
II had returned to the cavern to get
something which 1 had left here, mon
sieur, and was going away again, when
we saw the men coming back with you
and Jacques. You were in 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. I watched, afterwards, while they
were carousing around the fire, and stole
in. They are quiet enough now. Come,
monsieur; but stop a moment. / see you
will need something more than what you
wear now. l will come back in mo-
ment."
He left the cell and directly returned,
like those Louis was accustomed to wear
in his excursions about the country. The
young man lost no time in assuming
them, and then left the cell with his COM
panion. How his heart leaped! What
q thrill ran through him as he felt that
he was once more at liberty!
Raimonde's next step was to Eberate
Jacques. The poor fellow was almost
beside himself with JOY, and only the abb
solute need of silence kept him from Civ
ing unbounded expression to his delight
Stepping cautiously among the extend
ed forms of the drugged slumberers, the
three rapidly ascended to the entrance,
sprang out upon the forest soil and sped
rapidly and silently away in the early
dawn. Cool and fresh the morning wind
came to the brows of these men, so lately
prisoners, and it was like the benediction
of an angel. For some distance they
pursued their way together, and then
Raimonde paused.
"Now, monsieur lie compte, l will leave
you, as I wish to strike off to the right
here. I should like to have Jacques go
with me.''
"Well-well; then bid you adieur' re-
turned the count, warmly, grasping his
hand; "and I trust we shall meet again,
WueA uudy OAeT YOU uOIe dueQudIe
reward for your services than you re-
ceived last night. 1 thank you a thou
sand times, my friend!'
And they separated, Raimonde and
Jacques taking a right-hand direction,
and Louis keeping the path to the cha
teau.
Suddenly, as he advanced, some object
upon the ground attracted his attention
Picking it up, he found it to be a little
tiny slipper. It was one of hersi He
had seen her wear it often. He gazed
upon it for moment with feelings of un-
utterable emotion, and then placed it In
his breast.
Poor little Rosep' he murmured ten
derly; "where are you now"
With the little relic safe in his breast,
he pressed on. Soon he observed that
the turf all about him appeared to have
been trampled and crushed with many
feet, whose impress it still bore. Every
where as he went this appearance con-
tinued. Further on, he came upon a
torch lying extinguished upon the ground.
Anon he picked up handkerchief, en-
bfoidered with a delicate cipher-E'rancis