Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-08

and. without word of warning, llfted
his arm and fired point blank at the
little Englishman. A pistol ball whiZZed
close by his head. His horse leaped
to the side of the road in terror, al
most unseating MIN.
But Hobbs had fighting blood i'm his
veins. What is more to the point, he
He jerked it out and, despite a second
shot from the picket, prepared to ride
down upon the party. An instant later
half Il dozen revolvers were blazing
away at him. Hobbs turned at once
and rode i'm the opposite direction,
whirlng to fire twice at the unfriendly
group. Soon he was out of range.
The only thing left for him to do was
the alarm.
Suddenly his horse swerved and
leaped furiously out of stride, stum-
bling. but recovering himself almost
instantancously In the same second
he heard the sharp crack of firearm
far down the unbroken ravine to his
left A second shot came, this time
from the right and close at hand. His
horse was staggering, swaying; then
down he crashed. Hobbs swinging
clear barely in time to escape being
piniOned to the ground. A stream OF
blood was pouring from the side of the
~, Of nh rf nf
wantonness. the little interpreter knew
not which way to turn, but stood there
daZed until a third shot brought him
To his senses. The bullet kicked up the
dust near his feet. He scrambled for
the heavy undcrbrush at the roadside
and .darted off into the roadside, his
revolver in his hand. his heart palpi-
tating like mad. Time and again as
he fled through the dark thickets he
heard the hoarse shouts Of men in the
distance.
At 10 o'clock the next morning Colo
mel QuinnoX and a company of SOL
diers, riding up from the city gates
toward the north in response to call
for help from honest herders who re-
ported attacks and robberies of an
alarming nature, came upon the stiff,
footSore, thorn scratched Mr.. Hobbs
not far from the walls of the town.
The colonel was not long in grasping
the substance Of Hobbs revelations.
He rode off at once for the witch's
hovel. sending Hobbs with a small, in
Structed escort to the castle, where
Baron Dangloss was in consultation
with Mr.. Tullis and certain ministers.
The city was peaceful enough, much
to the surprise of Hobbs. No disturb
ance had been reported, said the
guardsmen who rode beside him. Up
in the hills there had been some dep
relations, but that was all.
AMP" groaned Mr.. Hobbs. All?
Hang it all, man. wot do you call all?
You haven't heard 'alf of it yet. I tell
you, there's been the devil to pay.
Wait till the colonel comes back from
GanlOok gap. He'll have news for
you; take it from me, ne will. That
poor chap as gone up in smoke as
sure as my name s Hobbs
They met Baron Dangloss near the
barracks. across the ark from the
castle. He was in clD.e, earnest con-
versation with John Tullis and Count
Halfont, both of whom seemed labor
ing under intense excitement.
The arrival of Hobbs, a pitiful but
heroic object. at once arrested the at
tcntion of every one. His story was
heard by a most distinguished audi
ence.
There is nothing supernatural about
Kings disappearance" said Tullis
sharply. That's all nonsense. He had
money about him, and it perhaps turns
out that there really was man at
the crack i'm the door, a clever brigand
who today has got the better of our
vainglorious friend. The shooting in
the hills is more disturbing than this,
to my mind"
This mystery coming on top of the
other is all the more difficult to under
Stand-I mean the disappearance of
the Countess MarlanX," said Baron
Dangloss. pulling at mis- imperial in
plain pcrpleXity. But we must not
stop here talking. Will you come witt
me- Mr. Tulis, to the tower? / shall
send out my best man to work on the
case of the lady. 1t is a most amaZ-
ing thing. l still have hope that she
will appear in person to explain the
affair
Il think not" said TulliS glOomily.
This looks like abduction-foul play,
or whatever you choose to call it. She
has never left her fathers house in
lust this manner before. l believe,
baron. that MarlanX has taken her
away by force. She told me yestcr-
day that she would never go back to
him if she could help it. l have al
ready given you my suspicious regard
ing hi., designs upon the-ahem.'
Catching the eager gaze of the prince.
NJ changed the word throne" to
treasury.
Lorraine. her cheeks white with reso-
luton. turned upon John Tullis. You
might leave the rescue of the countess
to the proper authOrities-thc police
she said calmly. Il think 1t is your
duty as an American to head the
search for Mr.. King. If Count Mar
IanX has spirited his wife away. pray
who mas better ri5ht?"
Put We are not sure that he
I'VE are sure that Mr.. King is eth
or dead or i'm dire need of help" she
interrupted hOtly.
"Colnnel QuinnoX is quite compet' mt
to conduct the search" he said shortly.
But Colonel Quinnox has gone forth
on another mission. He may be un-
able to give any Of his time to the
search for Mr.. King. 1t is outrageous.
John TulliS. tn refuse help."
Il don't refuse help" he exclaimed.
| Put I'll tell YOU this-I consider it
my duty as Il man to devote what
strength | have to the service of a