Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-06-15
CHAPTER XIV.

The wild shouts of Bashfort did not
receive any reply, but as he su rushed
to the door of that room in which Mar
tina was their roar filled the great and
hollow building, and was heard by the
startled Osreds.
Martha! Martial" shouted Bash
fort, beating at the door furiously
"are you re?-dead or alive, are
you there?"
But no reply was made, and the Os
reds soon came running to the spot
partially clad, as they had sprung from
their beds, and with their drawn weap-
ons in their hands.
"Ha, Bashfort!" cried Lord Genlis,
as he rushed into the long corridoro
''have you another fit? What is the
matter?"
"The matter, my lord" replied
Bashfort, almost breathless, sis that
fear that the young lady has escaped
during"
! "Ha, escaped" cried Lord Genlis
and his son with one voice; and in
| batter against the door with their
swordhilts and their heels, and to
shout, Martha! devil! woman! Open
! the door!"
But only silence in that room, and
the echo of their shouting throughout
the house replied to their voices.
The hole | cut through the room
above, my lord." said Bashfort, sud
denly remembering it. Il can enter
the room by that, and open the door by
taking off the lock, if ! do not find the
key"
away with you, tban!' replied Lord
Genlis, fercely.
And Bashfort darted away
The sorcerer, hidden in some cum
ming recess, heard all this uproar and
knowing it's cause, enjoyed it amaz-
ingly He, too had been taking a
good long nap, after his many exer-
lions and explorations, and the shout
| Ing of Bashfort had aroused him.
"a very nice trick, indeed! thought
the sorcerer as he listened in his con-
cealment. ga very prettily devised
trick has my former pupil played upon
these beef-witted fools. 1t shall be
played out to the end, and after that
shall play very nice trick, indeed,
upon Chevalier Clarence Darrell!"
| Bashfort was soon at the opening;
he halted there onl to cast one sweep
| ing glance into the interior of Helens
late prison.
| That glance told him that Helen
was not there. Indeed, he had had no
! hope Of seeing here there, for his be-
| lief was already firm that she haG es-
capped thence and fallen over the cliff.
The same sweeping glance showed
him the PROSTATE and motionless form
of Martha, clearly visible in the day
| light that streamed in through the
grated window, and from dimly burn
| Ing lamp, Pickering into its few re-
manning drops Of oil.
Down into the room dropped Bash
fort, with the agility of an ape, and his
| first act was to bound to Martha's
side.
The muscles Of her jaw had relaxed;
the key, however still remained cross
wise in her mouth.
/ Bashfort lost no time in attempting
to resuscitate the unconscious woman,
though he gave her rough shake, to
which she replied only with a groan.
He snatched the key from her
mouth, and instantly unlocked and
opened the door.
Gone, my lord! She's gone!" he
exclaimed, as he threw open the door.
Gone! Where? How?"
"She must have escaped by climbing
up that grated window and through
that hole, my lord. can imagine no
other way; and yet it seems scarcely
possible that she could have done that
without help"
Help? Who was near to help her?"
roared Lord Genlis, in a whirlwind Of
i rage and vexation. Is Martha dead?
Did Helen Beauclair kill the womsn?"
Here Martha sat up and stared won
j deringly at those about her. She made
an effort to RISE and did rise to her
feet after some aid from Bashfort.
"The young lady! Where is she?"
i demanded Lord Genlis, shaking the
poor woman in her fierce grasp.
4 AYE! where is Miss Helen Beau
clair?' cried Capt. Osred, also shaking
her.
Speak, stupid" roared Bashfort,
4 giving her a thrust with his fist. How
did Il chance? How did 1t all happen?
Why did you lie there as II dead, with
the key In your jaws?"
| sDon't tear me to bits!" screamed
Martha, fully aroused to her senses by
4 4 tai. this furious s.ling and pushing and
thrusting. She got up in the night,
Il delirious, to steal the key. | put 1t in
my bosom just after heard some pis.
tol firing
THAT was your husband! He had q
i at. Go on!'' roared Lord Genlis,
4 stamping with rage and fmpatience.
well, we'll that 5 all I know. ex
d cept that. as WAS shout TO help her
Il H.