Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-11

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 gided forward
and in an instant stood before the
amazed fellow, jamming pistol into
his face.
"A sound and you die!" he Kissed.
Don't movc!' came another whis-
per, and second revolver touched his
ear The cook, perhaps, ana 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 Iorry pinned him
to the wall The hand was on his
threat too.
"Chloroiorm him, Harry, and don't
lot him make n sound"' whispered the
oN ncr of the hand. Anguish's twitch.
ing fingers succeeded those of his
friend on the cooks throat. his pistol
was returned to his pocket, and the
little bottle came again into use.
"I'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 ut the head
of the stairs or in the hall. or that the
other traitor, DannoX. should appear
to Illustrate all. 1t was the most try
ing moment in the whole life of the
reckless Lorry.
When near the top of the steps, he
Rugged the high balustradc and eau
tiously peered ahead. lie found him
self looking down ii long hail, at the
far end of which, to his right dim
light was burning. lhcrc 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 had entered the princess
room. How was he to find that room?
Slowly he wrigglcd across the broad
dark hall, STRENGTHENING up in the
shadow of a great post. From this
/ point he edged along the wall for Il dis
lance of ten or twelve feet to the left
a sound came from farther down the
hail. and he imagined he heard some
/ one approaching.
His hand came in contact with n
heavy hanging or tapestry, and he
quickly squrmcd behind its folds. fed
ing himself against door which
moved as his body touched it. He felt
it swing open slightly and drew back,
intending to return to the hall, uuccr-
tain and very much undecided as to the
course to pursue. His revolver was in
his hand. just as lie was about to pail
aside the curtain a man gliled past,
quickly followed by another. rrovi-
dcnce had kept him from running
squarcly 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 il. The necessity for "a
fore the next and most important step
impcllcd him softly to enter the room
for an instants breath.
Holding to the door he stood inside
and drew himself to his full height,
taking long and tremulous breath.
There was no light in the room, but
through the door crack TO lis left came
a hrngI 81 L
where he was This room was next to
that i'll 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 We're crawling
toward the bed of the ruler of Grall-
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 il 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 well they had succeeded in
the delicate enterprise so far.
His knees struck the door. and there
was a dull thump not loud in realty
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 woman awakening with
start:
"Who is it:"
His heart ceased beating, his body
grew stiff and immovable. Again the
voice, touch of alarm in it now:
is that yon, DannoXt"
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 it that the outer door is
open?"
This time there was something like
reprmand in the tones, still low
He almost could see the wide open
searching eyes.
CHAPTER X.
YETIVE.