The Lamar register., 1912-11-20

might have experienced thereat found
its Offset in the subsequent discovery
that the window had heavy iron blinds,
closed and fastened, and was further
guarded BY . single strong bar set
In the middle. dividing the one incon.
siderable aperture into two spaces Of
impossible dimensions. But ~ II
spurred by obstacles to greater exer-
tons. 6ercely the man grasped the
metallic barrier. braced himself, and
put forth his strength. In its setting
OF old masonry, the rod moved slight
ly; then more and more. and the pris-
oner. breathing moment hard. girded
himself anew. A wrench, a tug. and
the bar. partly disintegrated, snapped
In the middle. and holding the pieces,
tho prisoner fell somewhat violently
back. Armed now with an implement
that well might serve as . lever, he.
nevertheless. paused before endeavor-
Ing 70 force the formidable fastsnings
Of the blinds: paused to tear OF the
tght-ntting clowns cap; to doff the
costume Of the mountebank covering
the rough. dark garments beneath. and
vigorously to rub his face with some
mixture he took from his pocket. He
had made but . few passes to remove
the distinguishing marks Of paint and
pigment. when sound without, in the
distance. caused him to desist.
Footsteps. that grew louder. were
coming his way. and. gripping his bar
tighter the prisoner grimly waited:
but soon his grasp relaxed Tho sound
was that Of single person. who now
paused before the entrance; fumbled
at the lock. and, with an impatient
exclamation. set something down. At
the same time the prisoner dropped
his weapon and stopped for the dis
carded garments; In the dark, they es-
capped him and he was still searching,
when the bolt. springing sharply back,
caused him to straighten.
Are you there. Monsieur Mounts-
baukT The door swung open; an un.
certain light cast sickly rays once
more within. and beneath the lantern,
raised above his head. innocent Of the
danger he had Just escaped. the round
visage Of the good-natured soldier who
had escorted the mountebank to the
auberge dss voleurs looked amicably
and inquiringly into the darksoms
howell.
'Yss: what do you wantf" the an.
swer came moro curt than courteous.
what do I wantf" the fellow 70
psated with = broad smile. Nov that's
goodi Perhaps It would b more to
the point to ask what do you wantf
And here" indicating q loaf and jug
in his hand. I've got them. though
why the commandant should have
cared. and ordered them brought"
He didf" said the prisoner. with .
lash Of quick surprise. well. I'm not
hungry. but you can leave them"
mot hunsryf" And the soldier.
who seemed q little the worse for
liquor. but more friendly In conss-
quencs. walked in. II don't wonder,
though" he went ON, closing the door,
hanging his lantern above and plac-
ing the jug on the ground; ''in such q
foul hole? What you need. comrade.
10 company. and" touching significant
~ his breast. something warmer than
hows from the spring Of st. ALBERT"
II tell you." began the mountsbank.
whom the soldier. staring. got q fair
look at the other for The nrst Tina and
started back.
"Eh! What's thisf"
"Oh. took them OIL You don't sup
pose I'd sleep in my white clothes in
such . dirty"
Right you are, contradict" ~.
turned the other, seating himself be-
fore the door on a three-legged stool
he found In a corner. But for the
moment you gave me a start.
thought you some other person."
"What-person?"
mo one in particular You might"
unbuttoning his coat to draw forth q
bottle. have been any one! But dare
say you have had them of in worse
places than this-which. after all. Is
not bad. compared to some Of the
rooms for guests at the Mount"
"vnu maanf" The mountebauk
looked FIRST at the closed blinds; then
at the door. and a sudden determine
ton came to his eyes.
Those especially prepared for the
followers Of the Black Seigneur. taken
prisoners near Casqus. for examplsi"
"They are dungeonsf"
with Jacques for keepsri The lit
tie sexton. We call him. because the
prisoners go generally from the cells
to the pit. and the quicklime 10 the
hun ,tSo1 H.