Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-05
CHAPTER XII.
A NEW PRISONER ARRIVES.

was far past midnight when King
was aroused from the doze into
which he had fallen. Was it the
Goth? Loud, quick commands
came to his ears.
'They are here at last" he heard
some one say God. This suspense
has been awful. But they are here"
Stand ready. then. with the gunsw
cried Peter Brutus. 1T may be a
trick. after all. Don't open that door
down there, Spantz. until you know
who is on the outside"
tits all right" came at last in the
relieved, eager voice Of Peter Brutus.
"Clear the way, comrades. Give them
room. BY our holy father, this is a
brave triumph. Ah'
Heavy footsteps clogged into the
room, accompanied by stertorious
breathing and no small amount of
granting from masculine threats. Not
one but three or four languages We're
spoken by, the excited. intense occu-
pants Of the other room. King could
make nothing Of what they said. Final
ly the sharp. incisive voice of VIII
liam Spantz broke through the babble,
commanding silence.
"Still unconscious" he said when
some measure Of order was secured.
EYES," grunted one of the men.
eve will have our instructions to-
morrow. The count is to inform us
before nightfall where she is to be re-
moved to. Next week she is going to
go to Schloss Marlanx." Brutus added
cruel, heartless laugh.
A woman, thought Truxton. The
countess! They had brought her here
from Balak, after all. What re-
rnaltreat his beautiful wife.
To my mind she is more beautiful
than his own wife," observed Anna
Cromer. "She will be fine morsel for
the count who has even cast longing
eyes on so homcly q mortal as ]"
"All woman are alike to him." said
Spantz sententiouSly.
eve must put her in the room with
the American for the present. You are
sure he will take her away before Sat
urday? A woman's cries are most dis
tressing." 1t was Spantz who spoke.
"Tll stop her crying" volunteered
Anna Cromer harshly.
"Shes regafning her sensesw ex-
claimed one Of the men. "Stand back,
every one Give her air"
n II inc'c r0nn
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 light.
"Hello!" cried Peter Brutus. "You
up, Ell? We've got fair lady for
you. my friend. Get back there. you
dog! Keep III your corner"
''You are fine bunch of human
beingsr' blurted Truxton.
A man with a lighted candle entered
first. holding the light above his head.
He was followed by two others, who
supported the dropping, tottering fig
ure of a woman.
'Let her sit there against the wall.
Drago. julius. fetch in more candles.
She must not be left III the dark. He
says she is not to be frightened to
death. Women are afraid of the dark
and strange dogs. Let there be light"
scoffed Peter Brutus. splitting toward
King.
'I'll get you for that some day.
grated the American, white with anger.
Enough commanded William
Spantz. I'VE are not children Turn
ing to King, he went on, touch Of
kindness in his voice: "Cheer her IL
you can. She is one Of your class. Dc
not let the lights go out"
Raising his hands, he fairly drove
the others from the doorway.
For time King stood in his corner
watching the figure huddled against
the opposite wall. Suddenly he started