Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-30
CHAPTER XIII.
The Castle in the Hills.

low-hummed hymn Of the insects. The
trees shook out their rustling garments,
glorious autumn robes of color, scattering
the dewy tears Of night before the smiling
day. Among the fallen leaves were hasty
PUSHES to and fro, while rabbits flashed
across the narrow open tracts.
There was stirring, too, in a dry hollow
securely hidden by dense underground
from any traveller who CHANGED to pass that
way. The whinnying of a horse sounded
on the morning air, the rough rubbing of
leather trappings, and the sharp click of
steel There were gruff laughter and
gruffer oaths, mans salutation to the new
day. and some low spoken words of discon-
tent
The addition to their number was not
pleasing to them. The more they were. the
less would each man receive as reward,
they argued Last night they were half
asleep, and had barely reused at Ellereys
coming. The men who had come with him,
they surprised were soldiers of fortune like
themselves, men they knew, and even they
were not welcome; but with morning dis
content broke out. The new arrivals were
not soldiers, were strangers to them. and
one at least was a mere lad. What good
was he in their company?
Stefan did not complain. He noted An
ton from head to foot and did not like
him. He looked at Grigosie and he laughed
aloud. He turned to find Ellerey close be-
side him.
This is the first day of the festival then,
captain?"
"Festival?"
Surely since we have such company.
Some of these fellows might have brought
their sweethearts with them had they
known the kind of expedition they were
engaged for. You bid me choose carefully,
picked men who held life and death in such
easy balance that they would take which
ever happened without a murmur; and now
you bring a lean forester who is good
for naught but Telling trees, and a lad
whose mother might still whip him with
out offense."
THE lad is we'll enough Stefan, and
| served me well last night"
Thank him, then, and send him home
again. / have message to send into the
take it."
mo. he goes with u.s.
"There'l be much grumbling. captain.
These fellows like comrades they know the
stomach Of"
You'd best do 1t quickly, then, or there'll
be one or two riding back into Sturatzberg
as yesterday they rode out"
"If that is their spirit I'd sooner have
lads like yonder beside me in a tight
place." Ellerey answered angriy. Then
he went to the men who were looking to
their saddle girths preparatory to mount
ing. Comrades, we have a journey before
bring up hard knocks. The reward is gen.
erous to those who win through. Are we
prepared to take our chances one and all?"
He paused, but only a grunt of tardy con-
sent answered him.
Last night l brought two others to join
in our enterprise"
What need of them?" growled one man,
land one of them boy
They go with me whoever else stays be
hind" said Ellerey. turning quickly to the
man who had spoken. Haven't you faith
enough in me to trust my discretion"
There was no reply.
CT Ia ia of nhn1fa cyxJfft ontiny
to my command from every man who bears
me company. Mount"
In moment every one was in his saddle
excepting Elerey himself who stood with
his horses bride over his arm.
'Yonder lies the Breslen road, an easy
mornings canter into Sturatzberg Who
likes may ride that way and free himself
from my authority
No man spoke moved
Then are we comrades. and do not growl
among ourselves. said Ellerey. springing
into his saddle. Forward! You must
find some other carrier for your message,
Stefan"
And soon. or I'll have murder on my
SOUL" the answer. as the troop rode
singly out of the hollow and picked its way
along a forest track.
1t was high noon before they CHANGED
upon a woodcutter and his boy.
Give me leave, captain" said Stefan,
bringing his horse to a Standstill. Here's
one may take my message. Aye there,
how far is 1t to Sturatzberg by the shortest
road?'
Five miles by foot but riding you'll
cutter.
will you or the lad carry a message
there?'
Tomorrow I would. I go with a team
there, taking timber"
Tomorrow" unused Stefan. why not?
He'll last until then. Well then, tomorrow.
Here's a key. Take 1t to the Altstrasse
Do you know the Altstrasse?"
CIV 1,oHy h~nt hn, lityt,,
ITO the Altstrasse-thirteen-t the house
Of Monsieur De Froilette.
II have heard Of him.
Then you will do him this service" said
Stefan. Give him the key, and say that
If he has lost his servant this key fits a
certain cellar door in a certain lodging by
the Western Gate. He will guess which
lodging His Hiss, servant van 10y, loving wine too
for his liberty
'Tll take the message"
Here's for refreshment by the way"
said Stefan, tossing him the key and a
coin. Monsieur De Froilette will reward
you literally, I warrant"
And who shall l say gave me the key?"
Say a woman you met by the road, II
your conscience will sanction the lie; II
not, say man. and word my picture as
you please so that you make it handsome
enough. But do not fail to deliver the
message. for the man behind that door Is
slowly dying, and If you do not go to his
rescue, will surely curse you from his
grave"
What does this mean. stefan?" Ellerey
asked as the troop rode on, laughing at
their companion.
Francois was watching u.s. and saw the
boy who carried your message to me yes
terday. He came to question me. thinking
me fool, and went withsme to the cellar
to hear my story and to drink your wine
He got no story and little wine for that
matter, unless the ropes have slipped from
his wrists and ankles. 1 tied him securely
before 1 made him free of all the cellar
contained. He'll be wanting food badly by
tomorrow, when his master finds him.
TT was we'll done. Stefan. We want no
spies about us; but why should Monsieur
De Froilette spy upon me?'
For the same reason that a hawk
watches its prey; it's his nature. You may
snatch chestnuts out Of the fire for mon
sieur. but it's only the charred husks will
be- your portion If the dividing is left to
him."
All that day they kept to the forest, MAX
ing a wide detour round Sturatzberg
Progress was slow along the narrow
tracks, and they went singly for the most
part. careful of their horses steps. That
night they lay within a circle of trees
deep hidden in the woods and far from the