Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-20
UNDER THE
RED ROBE
CHAPTER v1n-(continued).
I By STANLEY j. WEYnAN

fhe ascent. knee deep in bracken and
furze, sweating at every pore with our
exertions and hearing the troop come
every moment nearer on the road be-
low. Doubtless they knew exactly
whittier to go! Forced to stop and take
breath when we had scrambled up so
yards or so. I saw their lanthorns shin
ing like moving glow-worms; and could
even hear the clink of steel. For all
could tell. the hut might be down
there and we two be moving from
1t! But 1t was too late to go
back now; they were close to
the fcrn-stank: and in despair
] turned to the hill again. A dozen
steps and I stumbled. rose and
plunged on again: again stumbled.
Then l found that was no longer
ascending. was treading level earth.
And-was It water saw before mo,
below me, little in front OF my feet,
or some mirage Of the sky!
Neither; and gripped my fellows
arm, as he came abreast of me and
stopped him sharply. Below us, In the
center of steep hollow, q pit In the
hillside, q light shone out through
some aperture and quivered on tho
mist, like the pale lamp of a moorland
hobgoblin. It made itself visible, dis
playing nothing else; a wisp Of light
IN the bottom of black bowl.
Yet my spirits rose with a great
bound at sight Of 1t, for knew that
had stumbled on the place I sought.
In the common run OF things should
have weighed my next step carefully
and gone about 1t slowly. But here
was no place for thought, nor room
for delay and slid down the side of
the hollow and the moment my feet
touched the bottom, sprang to tho
door of the little hut whence the light
Issued. A stone turned under my foot
in my rush and fell on my knses on
the Threshold. but the fall only.
brought my face to level with the
startled eyes Of the man who lay inside
on bed OF fern. He had been reading
At the sound made he dropped his
book and stretched out. his hand for a
weapon. But the muzzle of my pistol
covered him before he could reach his:
he was not In a posture from which he
could spring and at sharp word from
ne he dropped his hand The tigerish
n which had fl sered for an IN
slant in his eyes. gaze place to . Ian
guild smile; and he shrugged his
shoulders. "Eh, bien?" he said. with
marvellous composure. Taken at lasti
Well. was tired Of it,.
You are my prisoner. M. de Coche1
foret," answered.
1t seems 80" he said.
Move hand and kill you,s an
swered. but you have still choice"
"Truly7" he said. raising his eye
brows.
yes. My orders are to take you to
Paris alive or dead. Give mo your
parole that you will make no attempt
to escape and you shall go thithsr at
your ease and as a gentleman. Refusa
and | shall disarm and bind you and
you will go rs prisoner"
What force have your he asked
curtly. He had not moved. He still
lay on his elbow, his cloak covering
him. the little Marot in which he had
been reading close to his hand. But
his quick. black eyes, which looked tbs
keener for the pallor and thinness Of
his face, royed ceaselessly over me
probed the darkness behind me, took
note of everything.
Enough to compel you, Monsieur, y
] replied sternly. "But that is not all
There are 80 dragons coming up tho
hill to secure you and they will make
you no such offer. Surrender to me
before they come and give me your
parole and will do all for your com,
fort. Delay, and you will fall into their
hands. There can be no escape"
"You will take my word" he said
slowly.
Give 1t and you may keep your pts
tolls, M. de Cocheforet," replied.
''Tell me at least that you are not
alone"
Il am not Alone
Then 1 give it." he said. with a
sigh. "And for Heavens sake get me
something TO eat and bed. am
tired Of this pig-sty-and this life
Arnidieu! 1t Is a fortnight sincs ]
slept between sheets"
you shall sleep tonight in your
own house II you please" I answered
hurriedly. "But here they come. Be
good enough to stay where you are a
moment and will meet them"
stepped out into the darkness in
the nick of time. The lieutenant, after
posting his men round the hollow, had
Just slid down with couple of GER
geants TO make the arrest. The place
round. the open door was pitch dark.
He had not espied my knave, who had
lodged himself in the deepest shadow
of the hut: and whom he saw me come
out acsoss the light he took me for
Cocheforet In a twinkling he thrust
pistol into my face and cried trium-
phartly. "You are my prisoner!" AT
the same instant one Of the sergeants
raised lanthorn and threw its light
into my eyes.
e. a.. 4. soOS r -,