The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-12-04
byFREDcRIC g. /,


That 1t was no dream. however, and
that the awakening would never oc
cur, he well knew. and malevolently
though fearfully he eyed the rope, com
ing in over the pulley at the aperture;
to be wound around and around by
smaller wheel. attached to the larger
and-drawing up what?
An inkling Of the sort Of merchan
disc to be expected. under the circum
stances. could but flash through his
mind. together with a more vivid con
seriousness Of the only course open fol
him-to cry out. regardless of conse
quences! Perhaps he might even have
done SO. but at that instant-as II the
other had read the thought-came the
cold touch Of q bare blade on hif
neck; and with sudden chill, the
brief heroic impulse passed.
More stealthily now he began tc
study his companion In the wheel
while a question. suddenly occurring
reiterated itself in his brain. Thif
man-who was he? And what did he
know Of the mountebank, or his. JAG
Ques'. dealings with the clown? That
his captor was no soldier Of the rock
or belonged there. the hunchback felt
by this time assured, and a growing
suspicion Of the others identity
brought home with new force to the
dwarf the thankless part chance. per
haps. had assigned to him in that
nights work. And at the full realiza
ton Of the consequences. should hii
surmise prove correct-what must ul
tmately happen to himself in that
event. when unwilling cooperation at
the wheel should become known-al
most had he again reached the des
perate point Of calling out; but al
that moment q turn in the wheel
brought to the level Of the aperture.
the car. In It. or clinging thereto
were number of.ngurss who, a. soon
as the rope stopped. sprang noiseless
ly to the platform.
"seigneur. We hardly dared hope
I'VE obeyed orders. but"
Gazing through the spo<es Of the
wheel. and listening to their whispered
ordinations. any lingering doubt as
to who his captor was could no longer
be entertained by the hunchback.
These newcomers took no pains to
conceal It; even when tho dwarf's
presence became known to them and
unceremoniously was he dragged forth
they displayed Q contemptuous dis
regard Of him a. q factor to interfere,
not calculated to dull the edge Of his
apprehension Too late now might he
regret that pusillanimity that had
carsed him to draw back from an i'm
mortal role; already was the car again
defending!
It came up loaded; went down once
more. reappeared. On the little plat
form now were more than a dozen
men assembled. but to jacques this
force looked multiplied. Amid the
confusion Of his thoughts, vaguely
could he hear orders given; caught
something about the need for quiet,
haste. overpowering the guard; then
saw the door open. and the men, like
shadows. go out; leaving him alone.
No; with two black figures; ominous;
armed. He could zee the glitter Of
their weapons. and ventured to move
his thick tongue. when, nercely III
fenced. he crouched down; waited
with hands clenched, an interminable
period; until family from afar sound
cd the note of a night-bird.
Roughly jerked to his feet, between
them he walked to the door; heard n
close; stepped out into the night.
Many times had he made his way be.
tween wheelroom and guard-house,
but now the route seemed strange.
and. looking around near the struc-
lures at the entrance to his dungeons
Jacques shook his head as II to rid
his brain of some fantasy. But the
scene did not change; the guard-house
remained-familiar; unlike, with un.
known faces peering from It, and an
mpsrious voice issuing commands to
him. once unQuestionsd commander
here!
And comprehending what was being
said. he struck his breast violently;
With curses would have answered that
he Keys were his own; the dungeons,
TOO, and what they held, and that he
would never lead them there; never
open these doorsl But this grim, saw
age, determined band beat down his
arms, and his courage; and, with the
shadow Of the grave again before
him. the dwarf walked on; past the
stable into the guard-house, where ia
miliar forms once had been seated,