Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-11

simultaneously. In the same second he
"card the sharp crack Of a fircnrm far
down the unbroken ravine to his left.
a second shot came. this time from the
right and close Mt hand. His horse wns
staggering. swnying; then down he
crashed, Hobbs swinging clear barely
In time to escape being pinoned to the
ground. a stream of blood was pour
Ing from the side OF the poor beast.
Aghast Mt this unheard Of wantonncss.
the little Interpreter knew not which
way to turn, but stood there dazcd un-
I'll 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 revolv-
or in his hnnd. his heart palpitating
Ike mad. Timc and again as he fed
through the dark Tickets he heard the
hoarSc shouts of men In the distance
At 10 o'clock the next morning Colo
mel Quinnox and company of soldiers.
riding up from the city gates toward
the north in response to call for
help from honest hCrders who reported
attacks and robbcrics &C an alarming
nature, came upon the stiff. footsore.
thorn scratched Mr.. Hobbs not far
from the walls of the town. The colo
mel was not lon:. in grasping the sub
stance of Hobbs revelations. He rode
or at once for the witch's hovel. send
ing Hobbs with small. instructed es-
ccrt to tho castle. where Baron Dan
gloss was in consultat ton with Mr. Tul-
is and certain minister's.
Tho city was peaceful enough. much
to the surprise of Hobbs. No disturb
ance had been reported. said the
euardsmcn who rode beside him. Up
in the hills there had been some dcprc-
datiors. hut That WIS all
"Ali:" groaned Mr.. Hobbs. "All?
Hang It all. man. wot do You call ali?
You haven't heard alf of 1t yet. tell
you. there's been the devil to pay.
Wait till the colonel comes back from
GanloolI gap. Hell have news for
you: take 1t from me. he will That
poor chap as gone up in smoke as
sure ns my name s. Hobbs
They met Baron Dangloss near the
barracks. across the park from the
castle. He was in close. earnest con-
vcrsation with John Tullis and Count
IIhfont. both Of whom seemed labor
ing under intense excitement.
The arrival Of Hobbs. Il pitiful but
heroic object. at once arrested the at
t2ntion of every one. His story was
heard by most distinguished audi
ence.
There is nothing supernatural about
Kings disappearance said Tullis
sharply. II hats all nonsense. He had
money about him. and it perhaps turns
ont that there really was man at
the crack in the door. a clever brigand !
who today las 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 al! the mere difficult to under |
stand-l mean tho disappearance of |
the Countess Marlanx." said Baron
DnngloSs. pulling at his imperial in !
plain perplcHity But we must not |
stop here talking VIII YOU come with
me, Mr.. Tull.'. 10 the tower? | shall |
send cut my best man to work on the
case OF the lady. 1t Is Il most amaz-
ing thing. | still have hope that she !
will appear in person to explain the
affair"
II think not" said Tullis goomily. |
'Jhis looks like abduction--fou play. |
or whatever YOU choose 10 call it, She
has never left her fathers house in
Just this manner before. ! believe
baron. flat Marlany has taken her
away hy force. she told me yesterday
that si" would never 90 back to him
If she could help it, ! have already
given You my suspicious regarding his
designs upon tlIe--ahem" Catching
The eager gaze of the prince. he
changed the word throne" to treas
ury."
Lorraine. her cheeks white With resc-
luton. turned upon John Tullis. You
might leave the rescue of the countess
to the proper charlottesville police"
she said calmly. Il think it Is your
duty rs an American to head the
search for Mr.. King. If Count Mar
lahX ms spirited his wife away, pray
who has better riCht:"
"But we are not sure that he
Eve ere sure that ATr. King Is either
dead or in dire need Of help" she in.
terrupted hotly.
Colonel Quinno1 is quite competent
to conduct the search" he said shortly.
but Colonel Quinnox has gone forth
On another mission. He NAV be I'm.
81, able to give any of
H.9 his t / me to the
MN search fer AIr.
WE King. 1t is out