The Washington herald., 1906-11-13
THE CORNERSTONE
AUTHOR OF VIGOROUS DAUNT. BILLIoNAIRE,
By -
AMBROSE PRATT.

But he would this time take more care
/ IN their selection. Never again would he
tie his hands by raising TO his own rank
men of birth or equal talent. II had been
a mistake; such creatures were too
greedy. too inquisitive OF his methods, too
hard to blind. He would henceforth
choose fanatics. men who would serve the
cause for love of Ii alone content 20
starve that they might kill. 1t pleasured
him 60 recall the names Of many just such
men, 10 know that fate had fashioned
scores Of fends to suit his purpose, that
he had but TO pick puppets already nodded
10 his will.
He fell asleep with the smile still on his
lips. and slumbered as gently as a babe.
His c0untenance in such repose was beau
tlfuI to look upon. Though wrinkled and
saffron-colored with extreme old age,
every feature was still regular and per-
feet. and the lingering smile might have
come from some gentle dream His wig
removed, his thick white locks framed
the face with a soft and venerable halo
His long lashes, still black as jet. lay
on his cheeks caressingly, forming with
his dark gray brows a wOndrous contrast
/ to the snowy masses of his hair. SO
/ little mark of crime had a life Of uneX-
ampled evil put upon him that one 70 see
might not feel otherwise than reveTently
admiring, and be constrained to mutter
/ beneath his breath. fearing humbly to
disturb such gracious rest: What a
beautiful, what a good, what a sweet old
man..
The dumb slaves, on observing their
master to be asleep. at once retired, and
so arranged themselves that they pres
entity reposed upon the mats. one on either
side of the door. which was kept slightly
ajar in order to permit the passing Of the
chain which bound them together. The
lamps were all kept blazing. for the old
man loved light Of all things, and was
unable to sleep in a darkened room.
1t was thus that the count had always
protected his sleeping moments, and the
plan was a good one. for his bed chamber
had no other means OF approach. and
although one Of the slaves was deaf. and
both were dumb, no one could possibly
enter the room without disturbing them
This was the problem presented an hour
later to Lord Francis Cressingham, who
after successfully negotiating the tunnels
undermining the mountain, had at last
arrived at the sliding panel commUnicat-
ing with the gallery that traversed the
library walls. Silently as ghosts his ODE
dent company had one by one crept after
him through the narrow gateway. and
enscOnced themselves behind the curtains
of the gallery.
Cressingham made sure that the slaves
were really slumbering, and then with ut
most care tiptoed TO the staircase and
down II TO the floor Of the apartment.
A gesture, and just as noiselessly the
soldiers followed him. Pausing a moment
for consideration. he made up his mind
and proceeded to solve the problem
straightway Ike a man of action
With a smart. soundless rush the first
slave was oinioned and bound before he
was thoroughly awakened. The chain rat
tied against the door. but no warning was
given Cressingham forced the door open,
and the slave before him into the bed
chamber The second slave started to his
! feet uttering a sharp cultural cry.
Some one struck him over the head with
the butt of pistol. but Cressingham did
not wait TO observe results for the Count
d Attala, though not entirely aroused. was
stirring restlessly. The young man hur-
RED TO the bed and waited, cooking his re-
volver.
The count thrust his knuckles in his
eyes and half raised himself What is
the natter" he demanded testify: then
seeing Cressingham. and marking, too.
his attendants in the hands Of such hos
tile numbers. his face slowly blanched.
and he sat upright in bed. What does
this mean?' he stammered angrily.
II means-you are my prisoner" said
Cressingham- Don't move. count. and
keep silence II YOU value your life Or
sin! Nicenzoi your assistance please
The two gentlemen named rapidly ap-
preached, each provided with a stout roll
Of cord.
Bind the count" continued Crossing
ham, his hands behind his bactrsct now
his feet-ah. thanks. Now. if veu please
count, you will give your ordinary signal
for summoning your servants"
The count smiled and shook his head
Cresstngham eyed him sternly.
You Tefuse?'
DO you take me for a fool?"
Cressingham made a quick sign. and
Orsini at once clapped his hand over the