The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-09-23

Two Abreast We Filed Through the
Long. Vaulisd Halle.
Two abreast we ulcd through thu
long. vnultcd halls. Rudolph carrying
a gigantic lantern aud Max sledge.
We travcucd extensive corridorH.
mounted tortuous stairs and came at
length 10 the sturdy OAK door that sep
hrated the east wing from the west
. huge. formidable thing strengthened
by many crosspieccs aud studded with
rusty bolt heads padlocks M large
- horeshocs. corroded by rust and
rendered absolutely impucticable by
age confronted uS
y have not the keys" said old Con.
rad Schmick snurly This door has not
been oi'ened In NV time II Ia no use
1T II no use" repeated his yrisly
pons. leaning against the moldy wall.
with weary tolerance
Smash those pAdlocks. Max" I com
mandei rssoluiely.
Very reluctantly Max hared hi. great
arms. spit upon his hnnds and. with
pitiful look NJ his parents. prepared TO
deal the firt blow upon tho ancient
paddock Hut the paddock mrrrly shed
a few scnbs % rust and rntlled back
into its customary repp-
"seei- cried Man. triumphan,ly 1T
cannot b. broken"
1T n a vcry fine lock." cried old
Conrad. with note Of pride Ia his
voice.
begnn 20 fscl some pride In the
thing myself III n. indccd," said
Try once more Max"
II SEEMED to mo that he struck with
q great deal morn confidence than be
fore. hut without result
"Glvc mo the hammer" said IN
desperation Max SURRENDERED the
clumsy. old fashioned instrument with
q grin and | motioncd for thrm all TO
stand hack Thre successive blows
with all the might had In my body
my cholcr rose to heights hitherto un
known. bclnE n very mild hammered,
placid perNon and averSe % anything
Savoring ~ the tempestuous de-
livcrcd savage aud rcsounding
thwack upon the broad oak panel of
I the door. regardless ~ tho destructive
ness that might attend the effort II
any ouo had told Ine that couldn't
splinter M oak board with n aledgu
hammer NJ single blow ! should have
laughed In his face Hut M II turned
out in this case not only failed 20
split the panel. hut broke on the sle,igc
handle near the head. putting Il Who'll
1 ~ out ~ commission for the time he
Ing M well ~ singing my hands 80 Sc
verely that doubled up with pain
The Schmicks miriy giowcd With
Joy! Aftcrward Max Informed me that
the door was nearly sin inches thick
aud often had withstood the assaults
Of huge batterine rams back In thu
dim past when occasion induced the
primal baron TO seek safety IL the east
wing. which. after all. appears 10 have
been the real. simon pure fortress
As we trudged hack tO the loweI
halls. defeated. but none the less i'm
pressed by our failure to deyastate ON
stronghold. ! was struck by the aw
ful barrcnncss Of the surroundings
There suddenly came over me the
shocking realization the contents" ol
the castle. ~ set forth rather vaguely
In the bill az sale. were not what
had been led 20 consider them.
Herr Schmlck." said 1. abruptly
hating my party In the center Of the
hall what has become OF the rug'
that were hep last week aud wher'
IL that pile " furniture we had bach
youdorr'
Old Conrad was not slow In answer
ing.
'sThe gentlemen called day befor'
yesterday. mein herr, aud took muei
away. They will return tomorrow fo
the remainder"
"Gentlemenr' I gasped "Remain
derT'
The gentlemen TO whom the her
count sold the rugs and chairs ant
chests and
"Whatr roared. Even Poopen
dyke jumped at this sudden exhibition
OF wrath. 10 yon mean to tell m'
that these things have been sold AM
carried away without my knowiedg'
or consentr IN have the law
Herr Poopendyke interviewed. The!
had bills ~ sale aud orders for re
movaI " property dated several week
prior 10 your purchase. MIR Smart W.
had 10 let the articles 20. You surei!
remember my speaking TO you aoou
H."