Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-03-16
that he opened his eyes. struggling in
Bashfort's arms to sitting posture,

that he opened his eyes. struggling In
Bashfort's arms to sitting posture,
and gasped:
ssNo more: You strange me:
have been conscious for some time
ever since you first beat upon the door.
But I had no power to speak nor to
move-not even to open my eyes. See
to my son. He may be dead!"
Bashfort obeyed instantly. and using
the same simple remedy upon Capt.
Osred, soon had him also in sitting
speak.
"Yes." he said, and as if in reply to
the above-quoted words Of his father.
II. too, have been both insensible and
onscious-conscious from the moment
when Bashfort crashed the window.
But the sorcerer-where is he?"
BY this time Lord Genlis was upon
his feet, sword in hand. and glazing
about in search of Sosia.
But the sorcerer was not to be found
in that. room.
Capt. Osred, after looking about for
time, gained his feet and staggered
to the bedside of Helen Beauclair, and
at the same moment his father adj
vanced thither with him.
Deeming it folly to attempt to feign
utter Inconsistencies, and dreading
their touch, Helen opened her eyes
and gazed calmly upward, carefully
avoiding even glance contact with
either of them.
How is it with you, lady?' asked
Lord Genlis.
81 am well, dear mother" she re-
piled.
the Osreds, as with one voice. and
staring at each other in amaze.
why. she is delirious," whispered
Lord Genlis to his son.
THAT is very plain, since she thinks
you are her MOTHER" replied Capt.
Osred, with a shrpg of his shoulders.
1T is we'll, indeed, that she is no
worse. I wonder only that she is not
dead But first let us seek for that
rascal of doctor, sorcerer, devil, or
whatever he may be-
Meanwhile Bashfort had restored
Martha to life and motion, and she,
too, was upon her feet.
Here, woman" called out Lord Cen
lis. "do you attend strictly to this
young lady! She is slightly delirious
at present but | Judge all will he well
with her after a time. We shall leave
her with you for time. Ha! A word
in your ear. Rashfort-the four sail
ors?
Fell from the cliff, my lord, and are
of course dead by the fall, or from
drowning said Bashfort, returning
the significant gaze Of his master with
one of terrible meaning.
Good! You shall tell me how 1t
CHANGED at another time, Bashfort.
First let us see how Zeno Sosia es-
capped from this room-for certainly he
is not now in it. The door is evidently
bolted on the inside. both at top and
lotion, though l can see no bolts"
rs there no trap door in the floor?'
asked Capt. Osred, "by which he may
have escaped?"
None, sir, replied Bashfort. Mar
tina and | laid the carpet yesterday,
and if there was trap-door we should
have seen it; besides, were there one,
and had he used it, the carpet would
somewhere be cut or untacked, and
your honor can see that the carpet has
not been disturbed-and, for that mat.
ter. the floor, except close to the
walls, is made of tiles
Twas Sosia who prompted us to
select this place." remarked Capt. Os-
red to his father, who was closely ex.
aiming the door.
Certainly. and of course he knew
more about it than l, though years ago
I used to visit Dun Aengus. But, Bash.
fort" said Lord Genlis, who had his
cheek fiat upon the floor and was peer.
ing as we'll as he could through the
small crack between the threshold and
the bottom of the door, you have q
thin-bladed knife-giye it to me-
(To Be Continued.)