Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-21

had prayed for dirty weather,
 kS such as had favored my pre-
 vious voyage in the moat, but fortune was this time against me. Still, reckoncd that by keeping close under the wall and in the shadow could escape detection from the win dows of the chateau that looked out on the scene of my efforts. If they searched the moat, indeed, my scheme must fail, but did not think they would. They had made Jacobs ladder secure against attack. Johann had himself helped to fix it closely to the masonry on the underside so that 1t could not now be moved from below any more than from above. An as sault with explosives or long batter ing with picks alone could displace it, and the noise involved in either of these operations put them out of the question. What harm, then, could a man do in the moat? trusted that Black Michael, putting this query to himself, would answer confidently, "None,' while even if Johann meant treachery he did not know my scheme and would doubtless expect to see me at the head of my friends before the front entrance to the chateau. There, l said to Sapt, was the real danger
 And there.' added, you shall be. Doesn't that content you?'
 But it did not. Dearly would he have liked to come with me had not utter ly refused to take him. One man might escape notice. To double the party more than doubled the risk, and when he yentured to hint once again that my life was too valuable I, know ing the secret thought he clung to, sternly bade him be silent, assuring him that unless the king lived through !; the night I would not live through it either.
 At F o'clock Sapt's command left the chateau of Tarlenheim and struck off to the right riding by unfrequented roads and avoiding the town of Zen. tla. If all went well, they would be in front of Zenda by about q quarter to 2. Leaving their horses half q mile oh, they were to steal ID to the entrance and hold themselves in readiness for the opening of the door. If the door were not opened by ? they were to send Fritz von Tarlenheim round to the other side of the castle. I would meet him there if I were alive. and we would consult whether to storm the castle or not If were not there, they were to return with all speed to Tarlenheini. rouse the marshal and march in force on Zenda, for If not there I should be dead. and I knew that the king would not be alive five minutes after had ceased to breathe.
 must now leave. Sapt and his l friends and relate how I myself pro- ceeded on this eventful night. I went put on the good horse which had car ried me on the night of the coronation back from the shooting lodge to Strel- sau. I carried revolver in the saddle and my sword. I was covered with a large cloak. and under this I wore warm. tight fitting woolen jersey, a pair of knickerbockers, thick stockings and light canvas shoes. I had rubbed myself thoroughly with oil, and I car ried large flask of whisky. The night was warm. but might probably be immersed a long while. and 1t was necessary to take every precaution against cold, for cold not only saps a mans courage if he has to die. but i impairs his energy if others have to tlie and finally gives him rheumatics If 1t be Gods will that he lives. Also I tied round my body a length of thin but stout cord, and I did not forget my ladder. 1, starting after Sapt. took shorter route. skirting the town to thu left. and found myself in the outskirt of the forest at about half past F.
 I tied my horse up in a thick clumI of trees, leaving the revolver in 1t! pocket in the saddle-it would be nt use to me-and, ladder in hand, mad' my way to the edge of the moat. Herr I unwound my rope from about m! waist. borAnd 1t securely round thu | trunk of q tree on the bank and le myself down. The castle clock strucl a quarter to as felt the water undel me and began to swim round the keep pushing the ladder before me and hug ging the castle wall. Thus voyaging I came to my old friend, Jacobs lad der, and felt the ledge of masour! under me. l crouched down In th' shadow of the great plpe-I tried t stir it. but it was quite immovabie- and waited I remember that my pre- dominant feeling was neither anxiet! for the king nor longing for Flavia but an intense desire to smoke. ant this craving, of course. I could no gratify.
 The drawbridge was still in its place saw it's airy. light framework abov' me. some ten yards to my right. as