Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-20

| I was going to have a look at Jacobs ladder.
 Gently lowered myself into the wa ter Though the night were wild, the day had been warm and bright and the water was not cold. l struck out and began to swim round the great walls which drowned above me. I could see only three yards ahead. I had then good hopes of not being seen as crept along close under the damp, moss grown masonry. There were lights from the new part of the castle on the other side, and now and again l heard laughter and merry shouts. I fancied I recognized young Rupert Hentzau's ringing tones and pictured him flushed with wine.
 Recalling my thoughts to the busi- ness in hand, rested a moment. If Johann's description were right, must be near the window now. Very slowly l moved and out of the darkness ahead loomed shape. It was the pipe. curv- ing fHom the window to the water. About two feet of it's surface was dis played. It was as big round as two men. I was about to approach it when I saw something else. and my heart stood still The nose of boat protrud. cd beyond the pipe on the other side. and, listening intently. heard slight shuttle. as of |, man shifting his posi- tion. Who was the man who guarded Micbael's invention? Was he awake or was he asleep? felt if my knife were ready and trod water. As I did so l found bottom under my feet The foun- dations of the castle extended some I fifteen inches, making q ledge. and I stood on it, out of water from my arm pits upward. Then l crOuched and peered through the darkness under the pipe, where, curving. it left space.
 There was a man in the boat. A rife lay by him. I saw the gleam of the barrel Here was the sentinel. He sat very still. I listened. He breathed heavily, regularly. unanimously. By heaven. he slept. Kneeling on the shelf, I drew forward under the pipe till my face was within two feet of his. | He was a big man, l saw. It was Max Holf, the brother of Johann. My hand stole to my belt. and drew out my knife. Of all the deeds of my life I love the least to think of this, and whether it was the act of man or a traitor will not ask. l said to myself, Tt is war, and the kings life is at stake" And 1 raised myself from be- meath the pipe and stood up by the boat, which lay moored by the ledge. Holding my breath. marked the spot and raised my arm. The great fellow stirred. He opened his eyes-wide. wider. He gasped in terror at my face and clutched at his rifle. struck home. And heard the chorus of love song from the opposite bank.
 Leaving him where he lay. hud- dled mass. turned to Jacobs Lad der" My time was short This fel- lows turn of watching might be over i directly, and relief would come. Lean- ing over the pipe. examined it from the point it left the water to the top most extremity, where it passed, or seemed to pass. through the masonry of the wall. There was no break in It, no chink. Dropping on my knees, I tested the under side. And my breath went quick and fast. for on this lower side. where the pipe should have clung close to the masonry. there was gleam of light. That light must come from the cell of the king. l set my shoulder against the pipe and ex- erted my strength. The chink widen ed very. very little. and hastily I desisted. had done enough to show that the pipe was not fixed in the masonry at the lower side.
 Then heard a voice-a harsh, grat- ing voice:
 Well sire. if you have had enough of my society I will leave you to re- pose. but I must fasten the little orna- ments first
 It was Detchard. caught the Eng fish accent in q moment.
 Have you anything to ask, sire, be- fore we partt'
 The kings voice followed. It was his. though it was faint and hollow. different from the merry tones I had heard in the glades of the forest.
 Pray my brother" said the king. ito kill me. am dying by inches here"
 .'Irhe duke does not desire your death. sire-yet.'' sneered Detchard. "When he does. behold your path to heaven"'
 The king answered.:
 ''So be 1t. And now. if your orders allow it. pray leave me-
 May you dream of paradise" said the ruffian.
 The light disappeared heard the bolts of the door run home. And then I heard the sobs of the king He was alone, as he thought. Who dares mock ct him!
 did not venture to speak to him. The risk of some exclamation escaping him in surprise was too great. I dared do nothing that night. and my task now was to get myself away in safety and to carry of the carcass of the dead man. To leave him there would tell too much. Casting loose the boat. got in. The wind was blowing a gale now. and there was little danger of oars being heard rowed swiftly round to where my friends waited had just reached the spot when loud whistle sounded over the moat be- hind me.