The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-11-26
CHAPTER NJ.


and that he had been sent by person
who was a friend both to himself and to
the missing girl.
The note required Louis to trust him
self absolutely in the hands of the mes
sengcr. For time he heSitated. Then
his anxiety led him to obey. He even
consented to be bIindfolded, as the letter
had eniOined.
Under circumstances of a less urgent
and exciting nature, Louis might have
paused to question the wisdom Of his
course in wholly and unreservedly en-
trusting himself to the hands of an ut
ter stranger. Together they continued
their route. Raimonde paused, saying:
Twill monsieur stand here an instant!
I must move a step forward, and mon
sieur must be very careful not to re-
move the handkerchief just yet
He released his hand and left him.
Louis, standing still, heard hash, graf
Ing sound ut little distance before him,
and a sound as of some person lifting Il
heavy body.
Come, monsieur" said the voice of
Raimonde; take one step forward and
here is my hand. | am below you now.
You must stoOp. Put your hand on my
shoulder-thus. Now, you know that you
stand on a rock, from which | have
jumped. You must follow me-so; that is
1t. Here we are!"
The grating noise was heard again.
Then Louis was conducted over what
seemed to be smooth and level path
of stone He had been admitted by
Raimonde through the rear entrance of
the long subterranean gallery in the rock.
At length they paused again; a noise
of bolts and bars withdrawn, and a door
Enclosed, through which Louis was led
Then the handkerchief was united, the
door closed behind him. and taking off
the bandage from his eyes, Louis found
himself in the cell of Jacques.
"Monsieur!' uttered Jacques. spring
Ing forward, $50 you are disguised, Ell?
| did not know you at first"
you here, my good friend?" uttered
Louis, in astonishment, looking about
him. What place is this?"
''-sh not too loud. monsieur, if you
please. | told you | was a prisoner-did
| notY
Eyes; but such a prison as this! And
ROSe-tell me where she is
"She is here Also monseur-in a cell
like this, and close by it,"
"Jacques so near me-and in danger?
Let me go instantly and deliver herr
He was at the door, but Jacques
sprang to his side.
For PHYS sake, monsieur be careful,
or you will spoil all. Come here, | en-
treat you, and listen to me. Rose is safe
n nraSnnt ouH ~ van ro n, In, ,un,,,,h to
hear what | wish to say, and to act with
me, we may rescue her in ten minutes
whereas such impetuous haste as yours
would ruin the scheme"
1t was plain enough. The count suf-
fered himself to be led to a seat at the
opposite side of the cell. and listen to
the explanation of his companion, while
burning with eagerness to hasten to the
rescue of Rose. Jacques made brief
work of it. He began by relating the
story of the abduction of Rose. and the
plot that led to it. Louis was angered
and indignant beyond measure. as he list
ened to the account of Gasparde's vii
lainy.
'Who is he-what is he this wretch,
GaSparde?' he uttered. holly.
THE chief of a horde of brigands and
cOntrabandiSts, monsieur"
lis il pOSsible,-and yet, why not? One
cannot be surprised at hearing it of one
50 base as he. And Rose is in his pow
err"
Not exactly, monsieur. He brought
her hirher, as | have told you to this
place, which is cavern in the center
of the forest, and after placing her in
IL. III
away with the men upon an expedition,
from which they will not probably return
until midnight or tomorrow morning.
When he comes back, he will either en-
tort from her promise to marry him. or
keep her confined in that cell. until she
pines TO death; for he is just so merci-
less. He never has forgotten the treat
ment he once received mt your hands, nor
the threats and rebukes of Hugh La
monte; and he has been watching ever
since for an opportunity of revenge. 1t
is ours to deprive him of that revenge"
Your plan-your plan. Jacquesr
The man who accompanied you hither
is the guard left by Gasparde. He has
procured for ME an interview with Won:
but he never suspects that it is for the
purpose of liberating Rose and myself:
for were we to escape, he knows that the
vengeance Of the leader would fall on
him. Now, we must either manage 70
gain his silence by force or by a brine
III we bind him, and leave him here when
we leave the place, why, Gasparde will
shoot him when he comes back; but If
sum OF money were offered him. have
an Idea that he would not only suffer
ms prisoners 10 escape. but also take
leave himself, since he has grown weary
OF the captains tyranny"
The bride, then-the bride, by all
means. said Louis earnestly. II han
pen to have 8 considerable sum with mo.