The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-07

d
it! He's been chloroformed!
They rose to their feet and look
ed at each other in stupefied ame2e-
ment then, recovering himself
Ronald sprang through the open
/ doorway and sped up the drive to-
wards the house, his revolver still
in his hand, and Smithers following
closely at his heels.
/ As they approached the entrance
| they saw that the door wa o9on.
lights We're burning in the hall. in
some of the windows; sehvants were
moving about, there was al a: of
confusion, murmuring of voircS,
as if something had happened Tho
two men sprang up the flight of mar
bic steps and dashed into the hall.
into the center of the group Of
servants. who were only n2gtiauy
dressed and looked beWll tered, as
it they were only lust awake
THE Count" said Ronald steruN,
The frightened herd shraal; back,
and stared at the intrudars
The Count! ! want him!-I must
see him" said Ronald.
\ man, the major-domo of the
magnificent establishment. stepped
forward. with a frightened air.
You cannot see his EXce,lencv.
Ne stammered; he has given strict
Orders--"
At that moment the mans voice
was drowned by sound from thG
floor above: it was a cry like that
of wounded, maddened Dull-a bel
,ow of rage, and two or three ser
wants came tearing down the stairs.
as if they were flying in terror.
Ronald and Smithers darted past
them, and gained the corridor. The
electric light had been switched on.
and, as Ronald gazed round with
swift glance, he was amazed,
' ' q. at lIil lll'.IltIls a. lH' Tvs AT
splendor of the place, then, IN hat
same instant il had flashed upon
hm--actually for the first lime since
he had discovered that Cara was "A
prisoner in the hOuse,-that this
Cont this father OF hers. was the
possessor of the stolen treasure. It
simply flashed across his mind, to
disappear instantly; for it was Cara
upon whom his heart and mind were
fixed, the treasure was of no ac'
count.
Tine sound me from that room
sir" said Smithers, in an excited
whisper
Ronald spIang to rhe door indi-
Gated and hammered on it with the
butt-end of the revolver. No re-
sponse came. and. scarcelY waiting
a moment, Ronald put mis- shoul-
der to the door; it creaked under
/ the tremendous strain, yielded sud
denly. and he fell in with it. It
was fortunate that he did So for
Iq revolver flashed out in front OF
/ him. and bullet passed over him.
Ronald was on his feet III an
instant. he say, through the wreath
of smoke, the Count standing at the
other end of the room, revolver in
hand. Both Smithers and Ronald
covered him; but the Count made
no attempt TO escape, but stood re-
garding them with bloodshot eyes
mis- face distorted by rage.
Drop that revolver" said Ron
alG--"drop it, or | fire.
The Count laid the revolver on
rhe table, and glared from one TO
the other.
Your buHless with me?' he
snarled. "Ale you thieves, or what?'
Il have come for Cara" said
Ronald. Il have come to take her
out of your clutches, TO take her
away from this place"
Raven drew his lips back and
snarled rather than laughed.
''Icu speak of my daughter. My
daughter, mark you, BY what right
-?
Il am her future husband said
Ronald. Look here there is nc
time to argue with YOU, TO bandl
threats. must know if she is here
l will know. and at once. | meal
to have her For your own sake
your own safety, YOU will give he
up to me-
Raven again laughed, and stretch
ed out his hands with an ironica
humility.
= am your servant. sir he said
with a bitter sneer. Il am you
slave. and have to obey at th'
pistols mouth. or so It would ap
} near YOu demand my daughter c.