Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-11-04
at beng once more upon a safe foot

at beng once more upon q safe foot
hold.
At that moment. from a tower which
was dimly seen in the middle of
great block of buildings before them,
a golden-voiced clock beat out the
hour ora quarter past ten. Almost
simultaneously a slight, warm wind
arose. The blackness overhead
swayed and lightened a little, and
pale, misty CLEAN of moonlight shone
down upon the scene.
The two men saw that they were
standing upon the top of high wall
some two yards or more in breadth.
From 1t flight of wide stone stairs
descended into garden, from which
the scent of the late roses came up
in heavy sitting perfume. Beyond the
garden was the great mass of the
Princess's palace itself.
Il have got all our directions" Basil
whispered, confirmed from what l
was told before. There Is only one
thing to wait for"
What is that?" Grant answered,
and even as he spoke Basil's hand
frightened upon his arm.
"This!" he whispered, bending his
head. Cant you hear?"
Grant listened intently through the
dark.
Yes! "A measured tread, with a
70 IN al Il
seemed approaching them, though as
yet 1t was considerable distance
away. re- e
ut is the sentry" Basil whispered,
who patrols this wall of the castle
for another two hours. His Mann
licher is loaded. We have got to
scrag the Johnnie! Come here!"
He dragged Grant into the shadow
of a small projecting tower some 10
feet high, which rose from the en-
battlemented wall. The mysterious
figure of the confederate followed
them. wa
II have the cloth for his mouth"
the man whispered in German. las
he comes by leap upon him and silence
him. When, he has passed US about
a yard l will throw the cloth around
his mouth Do you, sir" whispering
to Basil, catch his rifle, lest 1t fall,
and also bend back his right arm.
The Herr Grant will hold his left arm
and take his feet from under him.
Then we can tie him up with the ropes
that have. Now, be ready!"
The three men crouched in the
shadow as the measured footsteps
came nearer and nearer.
Then-and it all happened with ex.
traordinary swiftness-a burly, black
shape passed the angle in which they
were concealed. The confederate
sprang upon it like panther. There
was muffled, choking gurgle. Basil
found that in his right hand he held
a heavy rifle, while his left was twist
ing a gold-laced arm with fierce vio-
lence; and Grant with his huge
strength, had taken the body of the
soldier in his arms as If 1T had been
lay figure, and was lowering it SLOW
ly to the ground.
In two minutes more the man was
effectually gagged and tied, SO that he
could neither utter sound nor stir a
limb.
I'VE will take this log" the German
said, in contemptuous whisper,
which seemed to show that he had
some grudge against the unfortunate
sentry-"we will take this log down
off the battlements and hide it in the
laurel bushes of the garden"
Swiftly and noiselessly the three
men carried the prone figure between
them down the wide stone steps and
deposited it behind thick screen Of
evergreens.
1T is good" said the German. q
now go up on the wall again to wait
for you, gentlemen, and be. quick, fol
1t is a terrible risk you rum
Ito be continued.)