Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-07-23

ting OUT MS hight IN obedience TO
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?"
Il left our men working at the last
dungeon to come on ahead-to let you
know you might Soon expect them"
Soon" ironically. may be too late"
you mean"
The hue and cry is Jut, have
long been expecting It: l do not I'M
derstand why 1t 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
lips. "Hark! Listen!"
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 SeigneuF
whispered the question.
"A facet At the window"
so soon? The hounds are quicker
than thought! Or" drawing his
sword. II 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 | sure saw"
"A shadow" answered the other
And we have nothing worse to fight"
Some one was there. Seigneur."
stubbornly, and fed!"
"Eh bien! He's gone!"
He? II looked like a."
Back with you. quick! Is this
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?"
"AIi"
ITO the wheeLhouse. them"
But as they fastened across the
square and into the narrow way, the
Black Seigneur again spoke to the
man just ahead
1.-THE hunchback?"
we left him below. locked up in
the Devils Cage!"
THE Devils Cage. Quelle bonnie
plaisanterie! Although" looking back,
| 1T may cost us dear!"
And indeed, behind the sound of pur-
! suit came nearer; the clatter of sol
diers feet grew louder. until. reaching
/ the little square and the guard-house,
all turnult suddenly ceased, A mo
! mentary silence. strange, ominous,
was broken by din of voices. as the
1 flariug here and there of torches
! threw grotesQue reflections high
against the grim background of black
masonry
| To those now within the wheel.room.
the cause OF that abrupt clamor was
not difficult to divine; his Excellency's
soldiers had found the sentinels over
powered in the guard-house! Would
the former stop to investigate; search
first those subterranean passages? Al
ready had the prisoners. the weaker
| OF the Black Seigneur's men, filed the
car, or hung clinging to the rope
above already was the wheel turning
almost before the key had turned in
the lock at the entrance.
"Seigneur!"
Sanchez"
when We left the wheelroom. we
closed the door
When we got back. it."
A football without interrupted. fol.
/ lowed by the sound OF a hand at the
door. and other steps drawing near.
jacques" An expectant voice
! spoke; waited: called louder. Then
those outside listened; some one ex-
claimed. and hurri I'd footsteps retreat
ed toward the guard-housS
As they died away. in the wheel
room the car came up for the second
time empty. and inquiringly the men
there looked from one TO the other: