Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-01

@ess sasszs.z'zs' ssss..zzs ssA
blows, proved the turning point for oul
enemies. AS the grooming gate de-
seconded there We're cries uttered in a
foreign tongue, and a rush ensued for
the gateway. Leaving the machine to
reyolve by its own impetus, / few
down into the archway. Sercombe
stood in the light expostulating. Mont
gomery's weapon stretched some one
fat upon the stones as entered, and the
man crawled off. / fired another cham
Der of the revolver aimlessly, and the
flash lit up the passage while the
sound reverberated duly from the
groined vault The portcullis fell low
er and Sercombe was driven across the
:drawbridge by his retreating allies.
sDead or living, they shall have him."
said some one in my ear, and beheld
Sheppard, his face smeared with blood,
dragging a body in his arms. Togeth-
er we thrust it forth, and it lay half
way across the threshold The port
cullis dropped inexorably and was now
within a foot of the, ground The man
lay under the range of its iron spikes.
The wheels creaked above, and the
distance shortened Montgomery ran
forward and showed the body outward
But it still hung halfway. And then
Sereombe came rapidly back and,
stopping, by a swift movement drew
the inanimate form from beneath the
iron spikes of the drawbridge. He
said no word, but merely glanced at
us as we stood behind the grille.
AS Sercombe's figure faded blackly
into the night 1 turned and peered
into the gloom of the archway where
my companion stood.
Sheppard struck a match, and the
tiny flame cast precarious light upon
the three of as. Two streaks of blood
crossed Sheppard's forehead.
First blood and first honors," he
said.
Montgomery breathed like black
smith.
1T was a mean trick" he observed.
An acute pain struck suddenly
through my shoulder. "The foreigners
use their knives aptly," remarked.
..They do that" said Montgomery
iercely. zone devil has pierced my
stomach through"
"Let us go back to the house." said
and, setting the example, turned.
Sheppard's light went out, and as the
flame vanished the blue-black darkness
fell like a pail again. We walked back
into the castle.
What about this wound, Montgom-
cry r asked anxiously.
The boy stood up straight, his well
cut face severe and immObile.
s.It's no wound he rejoined- "A
pin prick; .
On, wen, let US see." said care
lessIy.
He stripped of his shirt and coat,
and a great red bullying spot met my
eye below the breast. Sheppard put
his fingers on it.
ssThat wants a bandage," he said,
and, meeting my eye 'sno, there's moth
ing much in it. A nasty place, but
merely superficial"
Wen have old Toms over tomor-
row." I said.
''The doctorg' queried Sheppard.
ssBut what about
"Oh, I dare say we can compose some
sort Of lie. Besides, as a medical man,
our condolences are sacred"
THAT'S true" said Sheppard, and a
little silence fell between us. WELL"
he resumed presently, 'can we sleep,
do you think?v
81 think we are likely to have
lively night answered. "And for
me, / am in no mood for bed"
Nor ], !" declared Montgomery.
Very good" says Sheppard. 'sThen
what about this treasurer
Precisely what / was thinking" I
said.
LET us see the papers" said he.
"Oh, I have them burning in my
mind / answered. "And if all are