The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-13
CHAPTER XII.
A New Prisoner Arrives.

INih6 do iOubCu LlOlu tuc uOAc
into which he had fallen, exhaust
ed and disconsolate, an hour
earlier. Sounds of unusual COM
motion reached him from the
outer room. Instantly he was
wide awake, breathing heavily in
the sudden overpowering fear that
he had slept for many hours and
that the time had come for the
to go forth. Was it
the 26th?
Loud, quick commands came to
his ears; the moving of eager
footsteps; the drawing of bolts.
"They are here at last" he
heard someone say. God, this
suspense has been horrible. But
they are here"
stand ready, then, with the
cried Peter Brutus. at
may be trick after all. Don't
open that door down there, Spantz,
until you know who is on the out
side"
Then followed a long interval
Of deal silence.
ITS all right" came at last in
the relieved, eager voice of Peter
Brutus. CLEAR the way, COM
rades. Give them room! BY our
Holy Father, this is a brave tri-
umph. Ali"
Heavy footsteps clogged into
the room, accompanied by stertor-
Gus breathing and no small
amount of grunting from mascu-
line Threats. Doors were closed,
bolts shot, and then many voices
let loose their flow of eager ex-
CARNATIONS. Not one, but three
or four languages were spoken by
the excited, intense occupants of
the outer room; King could make
nothing of what they said. Finally
the sharp, incisive voice of Will
lam Spantz broke through the
babble, commanding silence.
Still unconscious, he said
when some measure of order was
secured.
Yes grunted one of the men,
evidently newcomer. "Since we
left the house above the ram
parts. No need for gags or
bonds, but we used them; just the
same. Now that we are here,
what is to be done?"
1--WE will have our instructions
tomorrow. The count is to inform
US before nightfall where she is tc
be removed to. Next week, she is
to go to Schloss Marlanx. Bru-
tus inserted cruel, heartless
laugh, and then added: There
she is to remain until he is quite
ready to take her to new apart
ments-in town. Trust the mas
ter to dispose of her properly. He
knows how to handle women by
this time"
A womas, thought Truxton. The
countess! They had brought hel
here from Balak, after all. What
1 remorseless brute Marlanx must
be to maltreat his beautiful wife
is-Truxton did not complete the
angry reflection. Words from the
other side of the door checked the
train of thought.
''To my mind, she is more beau
tiful than his own wife," observed
Anna Cromer. "She will be a fine
morsel for the count, who has ever
cast longing eyes on so homely e
mortal as l."
"All women are alike to him, !"
said Spantz sententiously. Il hope
she is not to be left here for long.
don't like women about at &
time like this. No offense, Ma
dame Drovnask."
She'll go tomorrow night, I'm
sure" said Peter. II told the
count we could not keep her here
over the-over the 26th. You see,
there is bare possibility that
none of us may ever come back
after the bomb Is hurled. See?
We don't want a woman to die OF
starvation down here, in that
event. l don't care what hap
pens to the man in there. But
the count does not want this one
to starve. Oh, no; not he"
eve must put her in the room
with the American for the present.
You are sure he will take her
away before Saturday? A wom-
ans cries are most distressing.
1t was Spantz who spoke.
"I'll stop her crying" volun-
teered Anna Cromer harshly.
II fancy you could, my dear"
agreed Spantz. They all laughed
she's regaining her Senses
exclaimed one of the men. "Stand
back, everyone. Give her air."
"Air?" cried Anna Cromer
cts at a premium down here,
Raoul."
Presently the door to Kings
room was thrown open. He had
got to his feet and was standing
in the center of the room, his eyes
blinking in the glare of the light.
"Holloh!" cried Peter Brutus,
you up, Ell? We've got a fair
lady for you, my friend. Get back
there, you dog! Keep in your
corner"
Truxton faced the ugly crowd
beyond the door for a moment
and then fell back to the corner
to watch the proceedings with
wondering, plying eyes.
you are fine bunch of hui
man beings" he blurted out, saw
age with despair and rage. No