The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-12-22
CHAPTER XII.
HOram is Gagged.

atFs& O11kAI I14t a. ~
Koran is Gagged.
Carefully the three men emerged
from the dungeon; and when Osmir
had closed and bolted the door behind
them, 6elim went On ahead with the
lantern. They were armed with good
stout swords, and the blacks wore
AAggers in their sashes.
"In what direction must we pass
out?" asked Julian, as they came to
the end OF the first valuted passage.
"We must pass up where a guard is
always kept" answered Osmir; "and
cur only hope is that we may be able
to fall upon the sentinels, and over
come them, without creating disturb
ance enough for a general alarm
Whatever can be accomplished by
strength Of arm. we will accomplish"
said the robber: land / think We can
be shrewd enough not to strike until
we see that the blow shall fall sure
""
"You can depend upon us" added
Osmir. stopping while Selim opened a
door. I'VE have already placed our
lives in jeopardy, and only a success
full exit from the palace can now save
Us. But. as / told you before, there
T. danger in the way"
You have counted the c~hances?"
Yes"
and are you ready to bide the re-
sult7"
sYes.s
Then let as meet the worst. II
you, to set me free, are ready for the
risk. ! should be much more So"
At this j~uncture Selim, who had
opened . door, and gone on a few
steps In advance, came hurriedly back,
With = look Of alarm in his face.
hear footsteps in the passage
overhead" he said. in . whisper.
Are you sure?"
Yes. I heard them very plainly
what Is the passage of which you
speak, asked Julian.
1T Ii one through which we must
pass" replied Osmir, land one in
which We had expected to find no OBJ
etacle..
/ IT may be-" suggested selim. 'thar
I new guard has been set there"
'sThat cannot be-" asserted Osmir. II
came through there only a short time
since. and the place was empty. Hark
~ hear the steps from here-and I
think they are coming this way. Hold,
= moment. Remain where you are,
and / will find what this means"
Thus speaking, Osmir glided away
unto the darkness, towards the point
where the stairs led down from the
upper passage. After an absence OF a
few minutes he returned, and his first
exclamation told that he was excited.
'1The king Is coming!"
Tho king repeated Julian, in a
quick, deep whisper.
"Yes-and two OF his guards are
with him. Some one else came as far
- the nead Of the stairs with them,
but I think only the king and the
guards are descending"
He must be coming to see me-" said
Julian.
III must be So" answered Osmir;
ss6or there Is nothing else here for him
- zee, save pare damp walls and
.toadn."
"Hark! Here they come. l heal
their voices, and can zee where thu
rays Of their lantern breaks in tn.
9ioom." It was Selim who said this
md - he spoke he drew back, and hi(
His own lantern beneath the skirt o
his tunic.
Qnr adventures, from where the,
stood, could sea the foot Of the steps
q the far end Of the passage; ant
spGesently they saw two men descend
tho foremost one bearing q lantern
and wearing the robes OF the king
while the other seemed to be an Of
Acer or the household.
II zee now" said Osmir, as he gain
"A . view Of the approaching men
~ was mistaken. The guards hav,
been left behind, and this is Benoni
one of tho captains OF the guard, VIII,
comes with the king"
The rubber chieftain was for 4 mo
ment undecided - to the course h,
should pursue. Once his sword wa
half drawn from its scabbard; bu
Osmfr. who heard the movement
seemed 10 have Z better idea.
my MASTER" he whispered. touch
lne Julian upon the arm. let US draw
back out Of sight. and allow them t
mass. They will certainly keep on t
the dungeon we have left, and we vii
follow them thither."
"You are right" replied the chief
tain. They will be completely IN GU
power when they have passed ;"
Just back Of where our trio stoo'
Was the door by which they had las
oassed, and upon one side was q dec
Aiche In the wall. which had evidentl.
been constructed for TIT reception Q
i1ubbish. Into this they quickly glided
Aelim 20 enectually cloaking his Ian
6etn that not q ray Of light escaped
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