Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-07
CHAPTER XXI.
The WhlrlIna Of the Wheel.
,onr sos 81 The soee, MERRILL co.


the past, played prominent part in the
affairs Of succeeding communities on
the rock. 1t, or the hempen strand it
controlled, had primarily served as a
link between the sequestered jewellers,
and the flesh-pots and material COM
forts OF the lower world. Through its
use had my lord, the abbot, been ever
enabled to keep full the mighty wine
butts Of his cellars; to provide good
cheer for the tables Of the brethren,
and to brighten his cold stone interiors
with the fresh greens Of Flemish tap.
estry, or the sensuous hues Of rugs
and fabrics from seraglio or mosque.
Times less ancient had likewise
claimed its services, and even in re-
cent years, by direction Of his Excel
lency, the Governor, had it occasional
ly been used for the hosting of goods,
wares, or giant casks, oyercumber-
some for men or mules.
Toward this simple monkish con-
trivance, the SUBMITS rough lift, or
elevator, wherein serfs or henchmen
had walked like squirrels In cage to
bring solace to generations Of isolated
jewellers. the Black Seigneur had at
first stepped impetuously; then
stopned. hardly breathing, to look over
his Shoulder at the door that had been
left unfastened. An involuntary ques-
ton flashing through his brain-the
cause Of this seeming carelessness-
found almost immediate answer In his
mind, and the certainty that he stood
not there alone-a consciousness Of
some one else, near, became abruptly
confirmed.
What are you doing, soldier?" A
voice, rough, snarling, drew swiftly his
glance toward a presence, intuitively
OWNED; an understood, grotesQue fig
ure that had entered the place but
few moments before and now appeared
from behind boxes and casks where
he had been about to retire to his
mattress in a corner.
what do you want?" repeated this
person, the anger and viciousness on
his distorted features, revealed in the
moonlight from the large opening, like
that of some animal unwarrantedly
disturbed.
"You, landlord Of the thieves inn!"
And inaction giving way to movement
on the intruder's part, knife that had
flashed back in the hand Of the bunch
back, with his query, was swiftly
twisted from him and kicked aside,
while a scream Of mingled pain and
rage became abruptly suppressed.
Struggling and writhing like wild
cat, Jacques proved no mean antagon-
list; with strength incredible for one
Of his size, supplemented by the we'll
known agility Of his kind, he scratched,
kicked and had managed to get the
others hand in his mouth, when, max
ing an effort to throw off that clinging
burden, the Black Seigneur dashed
the dwarf's head violently against the
wooden support Of the place. At once
all belligerency left the hunchback,
and, releasing his hold, he sank to the
ground.
An instant the intruder regarded the
inert form; then, going to the door,
latched and locked it with a key he
found inside. Having thus in a meas
ure secured himself from immediate
interruption without-for anyone try
Ing the door would conclude the wheel
room vacant, or that the dwarf slept
there or in the store-house beyond
the Black Seigneur walked to the ap-
erture, and reaching up, began to pay
out the rope from pulley above. AS
he did so, with feet braced, he leaned
over to follow in It's descent a small
car along the almost perpendicular
planking from the mouth of the wheel
room to the rocks, several hundred
feet below.
A sudden slackening Of the rope
assurance that the car, at the end OF
the line, had reached the loading
spot below without the Notifications
and the young man Strengthened; in
an attitude Of attention, stood listen
ing. But the stiffness, impregnated
only with a faint underbreath, the
far.away murmur Of water. or the just
audible dronsng Of insects near the fig
trees on the rocks, continued I'm.
broken. An impatient frown gathered
on his brow; more eagerly he bent for
ward to gaze down, when through the
air q distant sound-the low, melan-
choly boot Of an owl-was waited up
ward.
Upon him at the aperture, this night
call, common to the Mount and its en-
virons, acted in magical manner, and
swiftly had he stepped toward the
wheel, when an object, Intervening
stirred; started to stagger to its feet
At once was the young mans first i'm
polling movement arrested; but, thus
forcibly drawn from his purpose, he
did not long pause to contemplate; his
hand, drawing the soldiers sword, held
1t quickly at the hunchback's throat.
"a sound, and you know what to ex
pect!"
With the bare point at his flesh
Jacques, DULY hearing, vaguely com