The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-01-13
~ By SYLVANUS COBB, Jr.


place. aru there were some oluei dI-
! tic!es Of furniture there, too
| strange eoA,rivanccS they were and
| fashioned after various shapes and
patterns. BIT nf that anon. The
place was lighted BY a large hanging
lamp which had just power enough
to make the room gloomy and dis
| mai. The six men sat about table
on which were book and sword,
and the most prominent man there
was Vladimir, the monk.
| And Vladimir alone exposed his
face. ali therest wore black masks,
| their robes being Of the same mel
aEchoiy hue. They sat there silent
as death, Vladimir gazing down up
on the table and tie other FIVE gaz-
ing fxedly upon him. They we're
stout men, all of them, and they
bore themselves toward Vladimir
as bears servant to his acknowl
edged master.
sThe hour is waxing late" said
Vladimir at length, looking up from
the table. His voice sounded in that
place like the echo of a tomb. It
was low and hollow, and the others
started as they heard it.
ssThere's time yet to spare, mas
ter" replied one who sat next the
monk.
ssI trust we shall not be disap-
pointed . said Vladimir at the expi-
ration of few moments more.
To this no answer was returned.
At length there came dull echo
from overhead, and the six dark sit
tiers started up to listen. The sound
grew louder, and soon it sent down
into that dismal chamber the notes
Of coming footsteps. In a few mo-
ments more the heavy iron door
creaked upon its hinges, and three
men entered, and soon behind them
came three more. Those who came
in advance were two Of them leading
the third as a prisoner. And so it
was with those behind. The iron
door creaked again, and when the
heavy bolts had been showed into
their sockets the two prisoners were
led forward.
MASTER" spoke one Of the new
corners, eve have brought the pris-
oners-two of them-as you COM
manded." ("
S1t is well,' said Vladimir. SLet
them be brought before US.
As the two men are brought to
where the Light can strike upon
their faces we see the two guides
who conducted Ruric Nevel to his
place Of confinement. One of them
was he who met Ruric in the street,
and the other is the one who guided
him into the old bathhouse with the
lantern in his hand. They shudder-
ed fearfullv as they gazed around
upon the dismal scene, and their
looks plainly showed that they knew
not Why they had been brought
thither.
sLesko Totma!!" pronounced Via
dimir.
The first of the prisoners-he
who had met Ruric in the street
started as he heard that name and
tried to speak.
care you the man?" asked the
monk, looking into his face.
eyes, holy father" the wretch
tremblingIy replied.
ssThen stand YOU here in front OF
me-"
The fellow was moved up in front
of the table. and surprise and fear
seemed TO be struggling for the mas
terry over him, for he recognized now
the strange monk about whom he
had probably heard so much.
sLesko Totma,' said Vladimir
low and slowly, 'Syou have been seen
much in the company of hump
backed priest named Savotano. You
know such a priest, do you not %
The man hesitated. He gazed fur
lively about him and trembled more
than before.
"Answer me!''
es, sir; know him"
"And now, sir, be sure that you
answer me directly and truly. Do
you know young gunmaker named
Ruric Newell"
The fellow started with a percep-
tible quake as this question was
asked. bu, he seemed to have been
prepared for it. for his answer was
direct.
''No, sir; 60 not
Ella. Beware! Think we'll be-
fore YOU speak.