Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-08-05

IAo ACAS AAl6AI 4 oAAu AAi AAAii
the song again n also listen to a
to BIO explained-and the u said
new one of his own
SO Francois was taken down the
stone staircase and conducted to the
two rooms which were the governors
dined, as has been said, many times
with the cunt. Blu tonight he was
left alone a few moments in the outer
room. the living room. while the gov
ernor was in the bedroom, and he
looked about keenly with a strained at
tention which grew u Of the sup
pressed hope of escape. Who knew
wha bit OF knowledge Of the castle
might be vital, n who knew how
soon? He noted the swords and pis-
tolls hanging on the wall. n marked
a light saber who's scabbard was
brightly polished as IL the blade also
were kept in good order. On the table
he saw the flint and steel with which
Count Won Gersdorf lighted his pipe; he
stepped to the window and bent out, /
wide enough for a mans foot, but little
more. ran four feet below: 10 feet be-
ycnd the window 1t ended in the roof of
q shed. a sloptng roof where a man
could drop down, yes. or even climb up
with ease. A man. that is, who had
climbed-like a cat for certainty and
lightness. But what then, when one
was in the court yard? It was walled
about with a stone wall 16 feet high;
these old ancestors of Pietro, who had
built this place. had planned well to
keep Pietro's friend in prison.
So Francois. not hopeful of a sortie
by that point. drew in his head from
the open window and took to examin-
ing the walls OF the governors room.
There were three doors-one from the
hall by which he had come, one behind
which no rnyay kAo~ ~ tho 1,,o ,o0x,i~~I
in his bedroom. and q third. The count
had gone through this last door one
night a month before into a dark,
winding. stone staircase. and disap-
peared for three minutes, and brought
up a bottle of wonderful wine.
IA fine stock they put own there
the Italians who ruled here for 500
odd years." he had said. "I've lowered
it a bit. A good spacious wine cellar
and grand old wine. You will be the
better for a little" And Francois had
watched him as he put the brass key
his belt.
At this point of memory the bedroom
door opened, and h governor came
cut. In great good humor and ready to
eat and drink as became an Austrian
soldier. The dinner was brought in,
but Francois. for all his efforts to do
his part. could not swallow food. or
very little. TIL fever, the unrest burn
ing in him, made 1t impossible. Count
Gersdorf looked at him seriously when
dinner was over; as yet Francois. talk
ing, laughing. singing. had eaten not
over half a dozen mouthfuls.
Certainly you are not WE'LL" he said.
II think the doctor should see you"
And then he nodded his head and his
small eyes cleaned with a brilliant
than a doctor's." He stood up and his
fingers were working al the chain Of
keys at his belt. Francois watched
them and saw the thin. old, brass key
which he slipped off. "a bottle Of
wine of our Italian ancestors-yours
chuckled-@that will cure you OF your
ills for this evening at least" He slid
the key into the lock and said. half to
himself. MY little brass friend never
leaves the belt of Albrecht o Gers
dorf except to do him q pleasure; bless
Beaupre-well, come along down-it
can do no harm and 1 can't ana a
light and two bottles"
So Francois followed down the
twisted. headlong; stone staircase
long descent. holding the lamp high.
gazing curiously about the walls OF q
large stone room lined with shelves.
filled with bottles.
"a show. isn't it?. h Count pa1t Won
light on this side.'. and he went on
talking. The wine IL 80 old that !
think Il must have been stocked before
the time OF the last lord OF h castle"
And francois. holding the light. re-
mclnbering h Marquis Zappi. thought
stone in the wall which projected
slightly, very slightly.
ssThat 10 the door to q secret stock OF
some sort, l have always thought" he
said. Probably some wonderful old
stuff saved for the coming Of age Of
I wish I could get at It." and he stared
wistfully at tho massive block. But
I can not stir Il. And I don't lot any
one but myself down here-not l." Tho
count turned away 2 they mounted
tho governors rooms were on h sec
ond floor, and the staircase ran from It
between walls. down underground.
the old chaps mus have Thought g
lot Of their wine 70 have the cellar
for Battista tells me these were al
ways thossrooma a the Za-of the
lordss OF the dAstle." b governor ex-
plained.
And to Francois. c~onsiderins. It. the
fact seemed N odd. e I. And then the
wine, and little thought. - he urged
Il on his prisoner. how much more right.
Ito it tho prisoner had than he. Il was
. Wondarful old liquid. full Of . strange
dim sparkle, and Of most exquisite bou-
quet. ~ he drank It Francois ailently
Toasted III owner on hin return TO his
own aSain. He 9 70 little - 70 dis
gust tho governor. but e put fresh life
Into him, and whom At last he could
leave the count, who was ~ that time
Msss tsan ss,ssy g, aFsn5; e. -, xsnt ss up e
tQnn 0AneN ~ nnnxn than hhfhnd han for