The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-11-05

of a gigantic glow-worm, shone in the
Germans hands. 1t shone for a sec
ond or two, then went out. There
was a click, and it appeared again,
flashing in quick light and occultation.
"S-s-s-s." came from Basil 1T is
answered"
Grant stared upwards through the
frowning gloom, and hanging above
his head he saw a similar light Of
green, answering the flashes of the
apparatus in the hands of the engi-
neer
Dietrich breathed great sigh of re-
lief. "Ach. ach," he said. 1T is well.
We are in good time-the beginning
Of our enterprise is good!"
Basil, with the silent quickness Of a
monkey. had already crossed TO the
other side of the deck, and was wait
ing cXpectantly.
Dietrich nodded to Grant, and
nudged him on the arm. He is won
derful, is he not?" he whispered, this
sailor friend of yours. See, he is all
ready for everything!"
Grant returned the nudge, thinking
so himself. with that humility in the
presence OF cleverness which is not
his own that all generous minded,
fine, and executive natures have.
The three men listened intently
There was a soft, slthering sound,
and tiny tap-tap, as the rungs of the
ladder hit against the projecting stone.
A NOM. mt or two of suspense, and
then Basil grasped the two leather
bags of shot which weighted the end
Of the descending ladder.
In a second or two more the sway
ing, sinuOus thing, which had come
down to them from the heights above,
was made fast to the deck with two
wreaths of rope, which stretched it
out a little from the wall Of the preci-
pice, but allowed also for slight
loOsencss Of play
Good" Dietrich whispered. Il re-
main here, awaiting the issue! God
speed you, gentlemen!"
Now. then, Grant," Basil said, you
have got your revolver all right. Are
you ready? Then come on! | think
had better go first, because | am
more used to this sort Of thing than
you are. When we get to the top our
confederate will be waiting to help
me over the battlements, and then, if
you find any difficulty, the two of us
can pull you in."
;nbt
though even in his whisper he recog-
nized that a curious hoarseness had
come.
Basil pulled a piece of resin from
his pocket and rubbed it vigorously
upon his hands. You do the same,
Grant" he whispered. 1T will help
you to stick" And then, without
further ado, he sprang upon the lad
der and began to mount.
Grant rubbed the dry, sticky sub
stance upon his hands and stood wait
ing while the ladder creaked above,
and he saw the big, black shape going
up away from him into the air. Then,
with the courage born Of desperation,
and in answer to a low hiss from Ba-
sill, who was already some fourteen
feet up the ladder, he also grasped
the ropes and stood upon the first tau:
rung.
For moment he heSitated, and
then, with an effort such as lie never
remembered to have made in his life
before, he dragged his unwilling limbs
into action and began the frightful
climb.
For the first few feet his heart
seemed to sicken and dissolve within
him, and then quite suddenly conf
dence returned to him.
1t was begun. 1t was not so dread
full after all. Nothing, he reflected, is
so dreadful as one imagines it to be,
when once 1t has begun.
On and up he went. following his
agile. cat-like leader until the ladder
grew nearer and nearer to the wall
and rasped his fingers, which could
no longer grasp the side of the ropes,
but must grip the rungs alone.
His toes also began to hav' lcsa
and less foothold, and he vas ii rail
hanging on by the skin Of his teeth
fiat against the smooth stone wall OF
the Notifications.
There was & low sound Of voices
ten feet above him, a slight eXclama
ton, grating noise, and the darl
figure of Basil Marriott disappeared
Grant was left alone. hanging sixty
feet above the surface of the Rhine
He locked upwards and saw the SIX
little lighter than the surrounding
dark, through a great en5rasure Of
the machicolade.
Then Easirs voice came to him, low
and distinct.
Come or, old chap. You have done
splendiGly. Three or four mere rungs
and catch hold of my hands,"
Grant mounted until he felt warm
strong hand clasp his own left wrist.
In few seconds more it was al
over. and he was pulled upon the plat
form of the outer wall.
-"Weil," Bash whispered. that wa
q very near thing! ! had no idea tn
ladder could be so close. We mus
7 tfend it out when we &c down. Wal
minute to gee your breath"
AS he said this. Basil turned fror
Grant and began low. whispere'