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

deI IL looked ike "a
Back with you. quick! Is this a
time for talk? Call those who can
come-if they would save their
necks!"
Here they are now" exclaimed the
servant. and. as he spoke. the first Of
their men. blowing out the light he
carried. ran quickly across the guard
chamber and into the open air. 9th
ers hastily followed, until the gather
ing. swelled by those brought with
them from the dungeons, stood ex-
pectantly before the little stone struc-
ture. .
All the prisoners are heref"
"All!"
ITO the wheel-house, then!"
But a. they FASTENED across the
square and into the narrow way. the
Black Seigneur again spoke to tho
man Just ahead:
The hunchbackf"
I'VE left him below. locked up in
the Devils Cagei"
"The DEVILS Cage! Quelle bonne
plaisanterisi Although" looking back.
1T may cost US dear!"
And indeed, behind the sound Of pur-
suit came nearer; the clatter Of SOL
diers' feet grew louder. until, reaching
the little square and the guard-house.
all tumult suddenly ceased. A mo-
mentary silence. strange. ominous.
was broken BY q din Of voices. as the
daring here and there of torches
threw grotesque reflections high
against the grim background Of black
masonry.
. To those now within the wheelroom.
the cause Of that abrupt clamor was
not difficult to divine; his Excellency's
soldiers had found the sentinels over
powered in the guard-house! Would
the former stop to investigate; search
arst those subterranean passages? Al
ready had the prisoners. the weaker
II the Black Seigneur's men. filled the
car. or hung clinging to the rope
above: already was the wheel turning
the lock at the entrance.
"Seigneuri"
"6anchesf"
when We left the wheeLroom, W
closed the door,"
when We got back, it"
A football without interrupted. fol-
lowed by the sound Of . hand at thu
door. and other steps drawing near.
"Jacques!" An expectant voice
spoke: waited; called louder. Then
those outside listened; some one ex-
ID toward the guard-house.
Az they died away. in the wheel
room the car came up for the second
time empty, and inquiringly the men
there looked from one to the other:
but, even in that moment Of danger.
not one of them moved, or made sign
Of impotence. Some must go: 9TH
ers remain. and stoically they awaited
the WORD Of their leader.
Down with all Of you! I'll let you
out the line" taking a turn with the
rope around a stanchion near the
wall. "and then come down myself"
The command was unexpected; for
the first time those that had never
questioned their leaders authority.
hesitated. and more sharply was the
order repeated; whereupon they
obeyed: all save one.
'T'll let It out myself" said San
chez.
Get int"
mol" was the obdurate reply, when
the Black Seigneur made a sign;
hands reached up. seized Sanchez. and
q moment later the car started down.
The line strained; as 1t played out.
now running free about the stanchion.
then stopping with Jerks. the man in
the wheel-house almost looked to see
1t part. The hempen strand. however.
proved sound; held its human freight;
but another danger pressed near.
Scarcely had the car begun its down.
ward journey than an attack, indica-
tons Of whose approach had not been
wanting. manifested itself without. Be-
meath sudden, savage assault. the
door shook; yet engrossed at the line.
every muscle strained. the man at the
stanchion needed not Swiftly. me-
chemically he worked, apparently as
unconscious Of the clamorous soldiers
without as Of a silent presence within
some one that had been concealed in
the little store-room adjoining. open
Ing into the wheel-house. and now
peered out; but at once drew back. az.
with crash, the door fell in.
At first in tho cor,po ro tive dark.