Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-14

Strelsau In a rare puzzle"
Then we mounted and rode fast as
orr weary horses could lay their feet
to. the ground For those last eight
miles we spoke no more. Our minds
were full of apprehension. "All Is
we'll" What did it mean? Was all
we'll with the king?
At last the lodge came In sight Spur
ring our horses to last gallop. we
rode up to the gate. All was still and
quiet. Not soul came to meet US.
We dismounted in haste. Suddenly
Sapt caught me by the arm.
"Look herer he said, pointing to the
ground.
/ looked down. At my feet lay FIVE
or six silk handkerchiefs. torn and
slashed and rent turned to him
Questioningly.
"They're what tied the old woman
I'D WITH" said he. "Fasten the horses
and come along"
The handle of the door turned with
out resistance. We passed into the
room which had been the scene OF last
nights bout. 1t was still strewn with
the remnants of our meal and with
empty bottles.
"Come in! cried Sapt. whose marvel.
Gus composure had at last almost given
way. !,
We rushed down the passage toward
the cellars. The door Of the coal cei'ar
stood wide open.
"They found the old woman" said l.
"You might have known that from
the handkerchiefs," he said.
Then we came opposite the door OF
the wine cellar. 1t was shut. 1t look
ed in all respects as 1t had looked when
we left 1t that morning.
"Come, it's all right" said l.
A loud oath from Sapt rang out His
face turned pale. and he pointed again
ot the floor From under the door
red stain had spread over the floor OF
the passage and dried there. Sapt
sank against the opposite wall. tried
the door. 1T was lOckeu.
"Where's JOsefT muttered Sapt.
"Where's the king" I responded.
Sast took out flask and put 1t to
his lips. ran back to the dining room
and seized a heavy poker from the fire.
place. In my terror and excitement
I rained blows on the lock Of the door.
and I fired cartridge into 1t. 1t gave
way, and the door swung open.
"Give me light" said /, but Sapt
still leaned against the wall.
He was, of course, more moved tnan
/ for he loved his master. Afraid for
himself he was not-no man ever saw
him that-but to think what might lie
In that dark cellar was enough to turn
INV mans face pale. ! went myself
and took a silver candlestick from the
dining table and struck a light. and as
7 returned | felt the hot wax drip on
] nv naked hand as the candle swayed
TO and fro, so that cannot afford to
despise Colonel Sapt for his agitation.
came to the door of the cellar. The
red stain. turning more and more to
dull brown, stretched inside. l walk
ed two yards into the cellar and held
the candle high above my head.
saw full bins of wine; saw spiders
crawling on the walls; saw, too, q
couple of empty bottles lying on the
floor. and then, away in the corner,
saw the body Of man lying tat on
his back with his arms stretched widf
and n crimson cash across his throat
walked to him and knelt down be-
side him and commended to God the
soul of faithful man, for 1t was the
body of Josef. the little servant. slain
in guarding the king.
felt hand on my shoulder ana,
turning. saw Sapts eyes. glaring ano
terror struck, beside me.
1.-THE king! My God. the king" nc
whispered hoarsely.
I threw the candles CLEAN over ev'
cry inch Of the cellar.
'The king Is not here" said !.