The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-03

7 The sudden thought occurred to
me that II might indeed prove to
be one, for altho ran my fingers
here and there along the smooth
face of the stone, could find moth
ing resembling an inner spring by
which the door might be reopened,
and II the scuttle above-of stone
also-should be found closed, We
were sealed there for all eternity.
Even II we attained the roof
safely II might be we would be
marooned there. finding no other
means OF descent. However, up
ward lay our only perceptible
chance for rescue, and the dismal
foreboding of possible disaster
could not help US now.
Come" ! said, as heartily as
possible, I'VE are free from those
rascals now. Do not be afraid.
Mademoiselle; there is nothing here
which can hurt YOU"
Can they not find the way, and
follow us? Was that secret door,"
Yes, solid stone fitted into
the wall. yet SO fastened as to
swing on hinges. never saw II
closed, but twas the work Of an
artist-see, not a ray Of light
reaches us, or the slightest sound"
ITO what does the passage leadT"
ITO q tower opposite the one in
which you were confined. II was
there I met the dwarf Gospele, and
took him prisoner. Yet surely
there must be some other means OF
descending"
And you believe those men will
not know OF this passageY Will
discover no way in which to open
the door, and follow us?"
mot they. .. I doubt II de Saule
has ever before been here, and the
others, even II they suspect, will
say nothing. Shall we 60 on?"
Yes, It is over there. / can see
the glimmer Of star thru the
opening"
"But where could the other man
have gomez" she urged, her mind
still hopeful of finding him to be
her brother Was there some
other passage?"
II found none," confessed,
when ] came this way before, but
there must be one. l did not
search with care. for l was follow.
ing Gospele, but l am certain the
man is not here. Shall we explore
the roof"
| The pressure of her hand an.
swered me, and arose to my feet,
gripping my sword. I stepped
ahead, feeling the clasp of her hand
on my sleeve, and stood erect In
the opening. Dark as the night
was. a dim CLEAN OF far off stars,
peering thru riffs of cloud, gave
faint illumination. The startled
girl clutched me in terror, staring
about at the odd shadows. I had
glimpse of her face, and its expires.
sion of despair and appeal served
to steady my own nerves.
otis nothing but the flicker of
the stars, Mademoiselle," / wills.
pered quietly. I'VE are alone-see,
nothing moves"
ooh. but 1t does move!" she
sobbed. Look over yonder! It
comes here!"
l saw the thing now, my gaze fol.
lowing her pointing finger, and my
heart seemed to stop its beating
Saint Christopher! What was 1t!
For the instant I could not tell, SO
strange, 80 bizarre was the figure;
then a star sleam caught 1t In q
spectral ray-it stood upright, en-.
cased in ancient armor! With q
great broad-sword in its hand!
Mademoiselle sank to the roof,
giving utterance to one sharp cry,
and hiding her face in her hands.
Scarce knowing what I did, or why,
| took a step forward, my sword
drawn, fronting--I knew not what!
And the thing-real or unreal
spirit Of the dead, or vision of the
living-came straight toward me,
its sword held high.
! stood erect, alert and ready, my
blade thrust upward to ward the
blow. The great blade was poised
to strike; the hands that held II
now so close was sure they were Of
flesh and blood. Anger took the
place OF fear in my heart, and
took a step forward, driving my
point at what took to be a crevice
In the armor.
l must have missed 1t, for the
blade struck solid. The huge
broadsword fell with clang at
my feet, and the armor-clad figure
staggered back. But l knew now
I faced a man by the smothered
French oath which burst from his
lips.
flung myself at him, the weight
of my body hurting the fellow back
We went down together, l on top
He lay motionless, his arms out
stretched. Yet surely the fellow
could not be dead. The blow dealt
had not penetrated the mail. His
Inconsistencies must arise from
the violence of his fall, and heavy
pressure Of the armor
Confident that he was helpless
to do further harm, I arose to my
knees, and glanced about to distin
, guish Mademoisello.
At my movement she spoke
Monsieur? You are not hurt?"
by not so much as a scratch,
I answered. Tho man was 80 bur
: dened he could not fight"
"A man! That was q MANI"
: 80 l make 1t. But he seems
smothered, and possess small
knowledge how he is fastened to
gether. Can you come here,
Mademoiselle?'
She came forward quickly.
you think him dead?"
mo. but likely to be, unless We
loosen this helmet and give him air.
This is the clasp here, is 1t not?
this leather thing? Faith. tbs as
ha I'D Al iro,