The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-01


lifted the stout wooden bar from
the sockets, and swung open the
heavy door.
What I beheld left me poised in
the entrance, the point Of my blade
dropped, my eyes surveying the In.
terror. There was sufficient light
streaming In thru the bars OF a
high, narrow slit In the wall, to
enable me to perceive every detail
at a glance: litter Of straw In one
corner. and round block Of wood.
on which rested a pewter platter
containing food.
Standing facing me, ct the full
length Of chain. was a man with
hair disheveled and uncombed, his
dress an undershirt and a pair OF
military trousers.
I saw his lips move helplessly,
then the words came tremblingly
in French: Monsieur! oh, Mon
sieur!"
"Yes," I answered swiftly, you
are a prisoner?"
"A week-a year-I know not.
You are a Frenchmanf soldier?"
"Ay. OF the Irish Brigade-and
your"
"Of the Regiment Of Touraine.'
Our hands met.
"rhe good God must have sent
you, Monsieur" he went on falter.
ingly. There was no hope-nonel
1t is not that | am not brave. Mon
sieur, I, Emil Cassier. But the
chain! the bare wall! the Fire
Devils'!"
"The what" and I started back
from him in sudden horror. What
Fire Devils? Not the foul brood Of
La Porter"
IF no, then the black villains
lie. Is not this the country from
whence they first came-this st.
Quentin?
Ay, so 1t was, and I glanced about
apprehensively. This was some
thing real, tangible; no phantoms
of Imagination, those ruffians, but
flesh and blood, with a reputation
for cruelty and murder sufficient
to make the blood run cold. They
were the pitiless scourge OF France,
with branches everywhere, even in
Paris, but originally coming forth
from this province of st. Quentin.
Who they were no one seemed to
know-a lawless organization OF
peasants, led, no doubt, by some
genius of crime for purposes of his
own.
Their chief, known only as La
Porte, kept his identity concealed
indeed, it was reported that not one
Of his followers had ever beheld
his face.
How came you prisoner to
these devils?" I asked.
81 was guarding a wagon train,
Monsieur, with twenty soldiers, and
they ambuscaded us at night in the
wood of lie Nouviou. II was all
over like that" and he snapped his
fingers. 81 saw not one of my men
after the first fire. I was found
alive, and would have been killed
but for the fellow who seemed to
command. He recognized me as an
officer, and made his rabble hold
me prisoner for ransom. Two
nights l travelled on horseback Until
we came here. There were with me
only the graybeard and five others.
know not what became of the
rest"
"You came on a horse, then" |
exclaimed. 1T was his footprints
| I saw at the edge of the causeway."
"Where, Monsieur"
Before the gate; at the end of
the drawbridge."
He shook his head.
mo; l was dismounted beyond
the walls and driven here on foot.
Perhaps the footprints you found
were left last night"
What happened them"
81 do not know, Monsieur. The
man who brings me food will not
speak a word. But woke up once
to hear voices outside. 1t was dark
and still as a tomb, yet | heard a
man swear and a woman's cry"
There was no doubt in my mind
as to who the unfortunate woman
was. Beyond question it must be
Mademoiselle d'Enville who had
fallen into the hands Of these
wretches. She was being held
prisoner somewhere amid these
ruins and it counted but little what
might happen to me, or this captain
| of Touraine. He must have read
the change of purpose in my face
What is 1t, Monsieur? Do you
have plan to carry out, and al
once?"
mo, not yet; only a purpose
Here, take this knife and pry apart
a link in your chain. The food
here-may share it? am nearly
famished."
He sank back onto the floor and
| fell to testing the links, barely
glancing aside at me as he gave
answer:
Eat as you will; I want non
of It,"
when does the jailer visit your
I asked.
"Once a day; those things were
placed there an hour ago.
"Then he will still be in the
castle?"
He shrugged his shoulders, press
ing hard on the blade. THAT
know not; he comes and goes with
never word"
waited until he slipped the link
apart.