The Cook County herald., 1905-05-20
fagons were also on the table.


fagons We're also on the table. #
Bashfort, seated nuon a bench near
the fireplace, was deyouring with much
relish rasher of bacon, which he had
just taken from a gridiron; and while
he ate and talked, his eyes were fre-
quently turned upward as he drank
from large earthen mug.
| Bashfort's eyes, however, saw moth
ing more than the mass of black and
grilny cobwebs, as he threw his chin
a.peak nthe air to drain his mug.
II would like to see how our captive
is before I Sleep" said Lord Genlis.
Perhaps her delirium has passed off
by this time. If she has partaken of
the food and wine sent by Bashfort
shall be pleased. You said Martha
told you that the young lady was
asleep, Bashfort?'
when I carried the tray of food
awhile ago, my lord-yes,' replied
Bashfort. Martha said the young
lady had fallen into sleep soon after
we began to search for the sorcerer,
and that she had not walked up since,
my lord"
"One would suppose that her sleep
on the way here was long enough to
serve her for a week, at least.' re.
marked Lord Genlis, with yawn,
which proved that he himself needed
| repose.
AYE, my lord, but that sleep was
not real sleep--it was trance" said
Bashfort. Sosia invented the devilish
trance-pellet of his, as he called it,
while I served him. Why, 1, Neil
Bashfort, was the first man he expert
| mented on! I slept a week, as am
a man! and when I came to as they
say, l didn't know nor imagine that l
had been looking like corpse for all
| that time"
"Peace!" said Lord Genlis, inter
rupting the garrulity of his hench.
man. go you and ask Martha how
the lady is now. I would go myself,
| but you are more familiar with these
villainous corridors, which to me are
like the windows of a labyrinth. l
am fearfully drowsy, too, from hearty
eating and drinking after long last
ing. Wilford-why. Wilford is already
asleep as he sits!"
! Capt. Osred had fallen into a deep
slumber, his face resting upon his
arms, crossed upon the table.
AYE, the captain drank too much of
this heavy ale," said Bashfort, empty
ing his mug again, and rising; but |
am used to it, my lord.'
Yet he staggered little in his gait,
despite his boast.
Away! See Martha! l will await
your return here!" commanded Lord
Genlis. resting his head upon his palm,
and his elbow upon the table. l may
catch a nap while you are away. If
be asleep when you return, don't dis
turb me for an hour or two, or shall
awake with a headache. Your ale-l
wish I had held to the wine-your ale
is very heavy"
"Would to heaven!" thought Clar-
ence, whose lips and throat were
parched with raging thirst, "that !
had now flagon of that ale, or, better
still, of water from that pitcher on
the table; but l must follow that
swilling rascal, to discover where
Helen is imprisoned. Having learned
that l shall run some risk to obtain
food and drink
With such thoughts in his mind, he
stole softly from his lurking place,
and made all the haste he dared to
reach some place where he might put
himself on BashfOrt's course, ere the
latter should return.
Arriving again at the head of that
stairway which he ascended just after
perceiving the light from the kitchen.
he paused there to listen.
He heard the staggering and un-
equal steps of Bashfort, and also a
lively whistling, which the fellow
kept up,-for Bashfort had become
somewhat fearful of apparitions since
his flight on the second floor, and he
had heard that ghosts were as afraid
of whistles as moctals in general were
afraid of ghosts.
ITO BE Continued.)