Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-08

Black Seig1ieur spread tCJTp Mount re
town; from rock TO shore. Pilgrims
repeated. peasants circulated it; many
credited; a few disbelieved. Like
shadows had his comrades and the es-
capped prisoners vanished, leaving no
trace, save one-an overturned car
and severed rope al the foot Of the
poulain, without the fortifications. And
f1ockine to that point, OF greater inter
est now than shrine or sanctuary, the
pilgrims gazed around; down the
rocks; up the almost perpendicular
planking to what looked like mere
pigeon-hole in the side of the cliff.
Then ominous grumblings escaped
them; some shook their fists at the
black wall: others scoffed at distant
sounds OF priestly hallelujahs. Had
the soldiers that day appeared in the
town or on the beach. serious trouble
would have ensued. For the time,
however, they remained discreetly
housed, while supplies for pilgrims
needs were by the commandments or
ders, SO curtailed. many Of the indi-
gent multitude. urged by pinched stom-
achs, began, ere night. TO wend their
way from strand to shore. But as they
left the vicinity of the Mount. they
turned last looks OF hatred toward the
rock
His EXcellency, the Governor,
wasted no time considering the humor
Of the masses: their resentment, or
displeasure, signifed nothing; his own
complacency left little room for spec.
ulation on that score. He was unde-
niably satisfied; even the escape Of
the prisoners and the loss of the SOL
diers at the guard-house. or in the
wheel-room, was over-shadowed by the
single capture This contentment,
however, he Kept to himself: instigat-
ed rigorous inquiry, and prepared TO
punish certain offenders. But the
principal of these he could not reach;
when released from the iron cage, the
hunchback. knowing he would be
called upon 10 answer for his part in
the nights work, had made the best
use of his short legs TO place a long
distance between himself and the
Mount.
The sentinel that allowed the Black
Seigneur to pass through the entrance
near the barracks: the Waterman en-
countered OH the stairway. and the sol
dier that had been overpowered in
the stable, his Exccllcncy could. how
ever. lay hands en-, and promptly or
dered into custody to await his Off
cial attention. For this last cuiprit,
the mmandart-mindiul perhaps, of
bolstering his own positioE-interced-
cd; pointing out that the man had 10
get the gag from his mouth and give
Inc alarm: also. that the mountebank's
and acting had been cal
culated 20 deceive even one Of the
discernment. Which re-
mark his EXcellcncy had received with
sphinX-like, and not altogether roas-
surfing. gravity; had reserved his YER
dict, and continued. after his own
fashion, to collect the details OF the
affair
The searching process should have
led him almost at once TO his daugh-
,er-a puZZlng figure in the maze OF
events; but the Governor had eXhib-
tied no haste in approaching that i'm
portart witness. Only when he had
his other testimony and put
il in order did The scope of his sitting
extend to the girl. And then had his
manner been strictly judicial; main
tanning an imperturbable mask, he
progressed not 70 notice the pallor OF
her face, the unnatural brightness OF
her glance.
when you sent for the mountcbanll
20 come TO your apartments. did YOU
know who he was?" the Governor
asked.
"No."
"When did you find out?"
"When You entered the ROOM"
"Why did you not give the alarm
thcn?"
Because" she hcsitatcd; her face
changed, "he would have killed you,
I think-if had"
Was that solicitude for me the
only reason?"
why. what other could there be?'
what other. truly? And after he
left with the commandant-why did
you not. then. inform me-"
You remember you had something
important. from the King, to consider"
hastily.
more important than this?'
He was going to be locked up"
was the best reply she could make.
And in the morning set free!"
She did not answer.
"And yet. you gave the word that
enabled us 10 capture him at the