Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-07
CHAPTER XIII.
At the Verge of the Aperture.

near the guaTd-house Of the dungeons,
was measured, yet noiseless, as he
stepped on the soft earth, alongside
the stone walk, now toward the pass
age in the direction Of the wheel-room,
then back into the little square. That
his thoughts, however, moved not in
accord with that deliberate stride, the
brows impatiently knit. and the quick
chances he continued to cast over his
shoulder, bore testimony.
Stopping at length near the Tour
Bernard, he looked fixedly down at the
town, wrapped in stiffness that
should have treasured him. Never
theless he appeared not satisfied; and
had stepped out into the court again.
when some sound he heard, or fancied,
sent him quickly to an embrasure in
the wall From this opening-for-
merly for cannon in defense Of the
fenils, and the poulain, or planking for
the hosting of goods-he leaned far
out, his glance instinctively turning
toward the barracks, some distance to
the right and far below. AS he stood
thus, that which had first attracted
his attention-the sound of voice
giving orders-was repeated; at the
same time where had been only dark
ness now shone many windows, while
to the left, near the entrance he had
passed after leaving the stable, lights
began to dance like firefies.
At these signs Of activity and the
sounds breaking the general quietude,
an exclamation fell from his lips; then,
pausing only a moment to listen and
observe, he sprang toward the guard
house. Crossing the threshold, de-
fined by faint glilnmer from a dis
tant corner, he made his way past sew
eral motionless forms, into low pass
age beyond. Here he called out inlpa-
tiently; but from those depths, lead
ing down into the dungeons where his
comrades had gone, no answer was re-
turned. His voice, hollow, hooking,
seemed stifled in a tomb; more loud
ly he shouted walked farther in, when
an indistinct response was followed by
a pin-point Of light, and, ere long, by
the bearer of little lamp, Sanchez.
THE others?" At the head Of
dark stairway into which he would in
advertently have plunged, had he gone
farther, the Black Ssigncur confronted
the man, as he approached.
They will soon be here" said the
old servant, springing up the steps and
walking after his master, who had al
ready turned back toward the guard
room. "Jacques-curse him!"-put-
ting out his light in obedience to a
gesture from the ,other-"fumbled
with the keys; pretended he couldn't
find the right ones! So it took long
er to open the doors"
"The prisoners?'
81 left our men working at the last
dungeon 10 come on ahead-to let you
know you might soon expect them"
Soon" ironically, may be too late"
you mean--?'
1.-THE hue and cry is out! l have
long been expecting it; I Go not I'M
derstand why it didn't come before;
unless a mountebank, locked up, was
considered safe enough for the
night"
Then some one Knew
Some one?" a bitter laugh was
quickly suppressed on the young mans
1ipc UIIorLt TSfeDi -
Sounds below! the soldiers!' ex'
claimed Sanchez. and started toward
the window TO look out, only to fall
quickly back.
What is it?" With his hand on the
others shoulder, the Black Seignour
whispered the question.
"a face! At the window!"
$50 soon? The hounds are quicker
than I thought! Or" drawing his
sword. at may be only one or two in
advance. In that case"
But no enemy, single or plural, met
their view, either in front, or at the
side of the guard-house; only the
darkness. void, empty, and the bare
rampant wall winding around the head
of the Mount like a monster guardian
dragon, asleep at his post.
Here is no one!"
mo one! Yet am I sure / saw"
"a shadow" answered the other.
"And we have nothing worse to fight"
Some one was there, Seigneur,"
stubborniy, land fed"
"Eh bien! He's gone!"
"t4e? It looked like "a"
Back with you, quick! Is this q
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 here?"
HA11in