The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-11-27

SoooS VI thio oCSl@AhS Sdl clCbbLtbS-
found almost immediate answer in bis
mind, and the certainty that he stood
not there elone-a consciousness OF
some one else, near, became abruptly
confirmed.
What are you doing, soldier?" A
voice, rough, snarling. drew swiftly hia
glance toward a presence, intuitively
OWNED, an understood, grotesque fig.
ure that had entered the place but a
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 scream of mingled pain and
rage became abruptly suppressed.
Struggling and writhing like a 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 of that clingine
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 ths
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
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 a pulley above. As
he did SO. with feet braced. he leaned
over to follow in its descent a small
ear along the almost perpendicular
from the mouth OF the wheel
DOM to the rocks, several hundred
eet below.
A sudden slackening Of the rope
that the car. at the end Of
the line. had reached the loading
'pot below without the fortificationse
ind the young man Strengthened; in
IN attitude of attention, stood listen
ng. But the stiffness. impregnated
'nly with a faint underbreath, the
ar-away murmur Of water. or the just
audible droning Of insects near the ng-
rees on the rocks. continued un.
broken. An impatient frown gathered
IN his brow; more eagerly he bent for
ward to gaze down. when through the
lir a distant sound-the low. melan-
holy boot Of an owl-was waited up
ward.
Upon him at the aperture. this night.
all, common to the Mount and its en-.
irons. acted In magical manner, and
'wiftly 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.
'elling movement arrested; but, thu,
,orcibly drawn from his purpose, b.
lid not long pause to contemplate; hi
land. drawing the soldiers sword, helt
t quickly at the hunchback's throat.
"A sound, and you know what to q
,ect!"
With the bare point at his Besh
Jacques. DULY hearing. vaguely com
pretending, could. indeed. guess and
he fingers he had Involuntary raised
o push the bright blade aside, fell
While at the same time any desire t.
ittempt to call out. or arouse tho
'uard, was replaced by an entirely diff
erent emotion in his aching brain
Never before had he actually felt that
harp touch-the prelude to the final
hrust. At the sting Of It, a tremor
an through him. while cowardice, his
'esetting quality. long covered BY
'rowl and egotism in his strength and
lideousness to terrify, alone shone
rom his unprepossessing yellow fea.
ures.
You were brave enough with the
oidiers at your beck!" went on a de
ermined voice whose ironical accents
n no wise served to alleviate his
'anic. When you had only a mounte
'ank to deal with! But get up!" con-
emptuously And" as the bunch,
'ack obeyed, his crooked legs shakinp