The Ocala evening star., 1911-05-29

1T is not easy, but you're athletic |
enough" he went on. The slip from |
this dungeon Is only a few feet long. 1t |
then joins the main shaft that falls into
the river-not quite perpendicularly. but
nearly You must let yourself down by
the rope until you come to another slip
resembling this, but much longer, for
the princess dungeon, though below
this, is not Immediately under it. You
will find it a difficult climb up. but on
your hands and knees you can do 1t.
Are you clear so far?'
Yes, but will the slab in her cell be
unlockedT'
1T will be wide open"
"She knows that ap coming?"
"No. There is the weak spot In my
plan | have tried to communicate
with her, but have failed. In her ex-
citement she may betray you before
| you are prepared"
| Prepared for what?"
! .'She will not be alone when you ar
rive" he answered, ''At court it Is be-
| lieved that Count Vasca Is to marry
the Lady Aldrida. They pose as low
ers, and. so far as the lady is con-
cerned she believes that the future Is
settled. Count Vasca has no intention
Of marrying her. Not only does he
mean to be king in Yadasara, but he
means to marry the princess II he can.
i He has the kings permission to inter
view the princess. II he succeeds in
obtaining her consent she Is to go free
with him this very night. He may use
1 what parSuasiop he will -
"Then the king wishes to save herr
lon the contrary. 1t is only because
he feels sure that the count will fall
that he has given his consent. The
count is too powerful to be refused
favor. If he fails, then the princess
suffers tomorrow in the manner you
know Of The king has promised
Lady Aldrida that Vasca has al
elaborate scheme which is arranged in
every detail He will use persuasion.
He will play upon her fears For that
purpose he will unlock the slab to
sho- her the death road she is to take
tomorrow. He will probably attempt
to take her even without her consent,
or he might kill her if she refuses him
too contemptuously. Whether he sue
ceeds or not, he has no intention of
going to the king He will leave the
fortress with her and go straight to
the city gate. He will go the way you
must have gone the night you escaped.
A boat is lying hard by the great rock.
He will cross the river and before
dawn will be in the woods which lie
to the south. There is a woodcutter 8
cottage there, and horses will be wait
ing for him"
"He means to leave DrussenlandT r
/ asked.
Organ smiled.
mo. Tomorrow the revolution will
commence. Half the city is Vasca's
already"
THE princess will not consent"
said after pause.
yet Vasca must succeed tonight,
said Organ slowly, "the Vasca l am
thinking of The count will be alone
with the princess and will have the
Y keys Of the dungeon. You will enter
s and you will kill him. Take his CLOAK
and hat and sword. Then drag his
body to the slip and let it go. Use ex
pedition. Open the door and walk ou
l. of the fortress. Do not speak If yo,
= can help it. Your voice might betra!
you. AS you go through the city yol
will be watched but have no fear
They will be watching to see that yol
come to no harm They are you
friends The city gate will open TO
you at sign, and you are free t
make the best Of your way to tn
woodcutter's cottage. l shall be wait
: ing there with horses"
"And afterward?"
UNLESS you are delayed, by dawn w
should be we'll on our way toward tn
place where you entered this inferna
country We must trust to luck to fin
the way out. Now do you thorough
understand:'
Yes. When do / go?"
"You will presently hear the guar
changed In the corridor without. The
tie your rope securely and descend
Here Is a sword. See that you do nc
drop it as YOU 60 down. Do not go b'
fore your time or you will ruin every
thing Don't be too courteous wit
yasca Once he hired an assassin
stab you in the dark; just remembe
that and slay him as you would
mad dog. Now l must co.
We grasped each others hand, an
he left me.
! Suddenly heard the guard changet
The time had come, and my heart BET
faster | waited until the sound {
the mems measured tread had die
away down the corridor. and then
went to the slab. 4 dozen fears toe
hold OF me at that moment. Indee
nv hand tramhie5 "a mt the Ike
into its hole.
It turned easily, and the next m
ment I had raised the slab.
The dungeon was pitch dark. | hf
to be careful not TO slip into the hol
I could hear the swish of the river I;
below me-a noisy sound IL was, cor
ing up through the shaft.
| found the ring. and 10 ii tied Il
7 rope. tested the security OF the kno
at least half a dozen times before
I. let the rope go. 1t swung out to
. length with a jerk. l fastened q
sword tightly round me. and then
e stood for moment. It was sho
= PRAYER | muttered-tOO short. perhaT
Il for the great matter | was enteril
n upon, but Ii was an earnest one. Th'
[ sat upon the edge OF the slip an
y grasping the rope with both hands,
$. myself 20. dropping to my full lengt
hot Nlv- 6na IN