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

| tSoHt"eSs SSW OeT ISst tesSSf
|Ty HERE were torches below and
lanterns. but the greater lighl
came from a fire. kindied In 9
slight depression Of the stone floor
A pile OF fagots lay near by, and
as l attained a position where
could see clearly what was trans
pfring below, two men came for
ward loaded with more fuel. This
was proof that the fellows antici
pated a long nights vigil.
The red glare Of the leapins
flames rendered the scene peculiar
ly fantastic and demoniac. count
ed fourteen men In the party, In
Guiding the fagot bearers, who dis
appeared for another load, roughly
dressed fellows, and to all appear
ance peasants.
The man who appeared to ex
ercise command was more disrep
utably attired than his followers
and a more desperate looking vii
lain. He wore a belt containing
two pistols and a knife. The men
were all armed, even as they lay
lounging about the fire, theiI
equipment. however. being mostly
ugly looking knives, unsheathed.
There was little conversation
The big leader occasionally called
out some gruff order. That he waf
feared. was evidenced by the swift
ness with which the fellows
obeyed. Once he struck a man who
failed to jump instantly at his
bidding.
A moment later the messenger
thus roughly dispatched returned
within the fire CLEAN, accompanied
by de Saule. I knew the fiend In
stantly-even without the swift
warning grasp Of Mademoiselle on
my arm-altho his face was sc
wrapped In a cloth as to scarcely
reveal more than the eyes. He
came up to the leader angrily.
What does this mean, Guieteaui
That rapscallion says you refuse tc
order q search. Do you forget sc
easily who / ami Answer mel"
TITS not that l refuse. Mon
sieur," replied the other. But the
men will not go. They are afraid
of what they may meet with w
yonder."
What! of one man. and he un
armed!"
1T is not one man, or a dozen
Monsieur The thing which fright
ems is not Of the earth-spirits Of
the dead haunt those corridors"
| De Saule laughed hoarsely.
Ghosts! Good Lord! might
believe such superstition coult
scare those fellows, but not 20,
and I, quieteau. We have got ovel
that long ago"
Monsieur le Duke" returned ths
other solemnly. you have known
me long and found me Faithful
that not true?"
i De Saule nodded, his glance III
the stairs.
i II have served you as a soldier
and since then as your leutenan
here. There was a time when
also laughed at phantoms ant
sneered at ghostly presence. Blu
tits not SO now. Not the king. no
even you, Monsieur. could make m,
range those passages above in THU
black night. Nor will I send otherl
TO the task. This pile is hauntes
by the spirits of the dead; hav,
seen them, / know"
| The gravity with which the fol
low spoke even affected de Saule.
you have seen them. Bah! yo,
dream. Come, what say q hal
dozen of you to earning handful
of good gold pieces by standing a
my back? Speak up now! there Il
nothing to fear; we'll carry light
with US and that will scare tn,
spooks away. How is 1t with you
Guieteau7"
know not what caused me Il
move, but I Strengthened up sud
denly, and by some accident m!
foot struck against CASTER. Tn,
suddenness of the contact 8,
startled him that he leaped upward
sought to grip him, but was tot
late. He staggered on the stat
ledge. and then went down, his bod.
whirling over in the air, until 1
crashed onto the stones below.