The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-08-05

through lay in going forward a
once, taking care to make no soune
that should reach those within
Thus, no doubt, all would be well
With EXTREMIST caution, then, Ee
stepped forward on tip-toe, his
hands upon the wall on the chapel
side to guide and steady him.
| Not more than three or, foul
steps had he taken when, quite
suddenly, an oath rang out in q
deep male voice, followed by the
laughter of several men. With that
there was a scraping of chairs,
and heavy steps came tramping TO-
ward the doorway.
| With this door Messer Lorenzo
was now level, and, being startled,
he made mis- one mistake Had he
taken the risk of speeding forward
swiftly, he might even now have
won safely to the outer bailie. But
he hung there hesitating, again
considering retreat even, his every
sinew taut. And that pause was
his ruin. In a moment he realized
it, saw that he was trapped, that
retreat was now utterly hopeless,
and that to go forward was no
better. Therefore with set teeth,
and angry misery in his soul to
reflect that he had won so far
and at such peril only to fail upon
the very threshold of success, he
stood at bay, to meet what he no
longer could avoid.
The door was pulled open from
within, and flood of light poured
out into that black place, reveal
ing Messer Lorenzo, white of face,
with staring eyes, one hand in
stinctiveIy upon his poniard-hilt,
poised there as if from a spring.
Thus did the foremost of the
five men who issued behold him,
and at sight of him all checked
abruptly, staring. This foremost
one, a big, heavily built fellow all
clad in leather, black-browed and
bearded, seemed in some slight
measure the superior of those 9TH
er four. All five were very obvious
ly soldiers.
He fell back a step in sheer
amazement, startled even by the
sight of Messer Lorenzo. Then,
recovering, he set his arms akimo.
planted wide his feet, and looked
our gentleman over with an eye of
deepest interest. "Now who the
devil may you be ?" he demanded.
Messer Lorenzo's wits were ever
very ready, and in that moment he
had flash of inspiration. He step
ped forward easily in answer to
that challenge, and so came more
fully into the light.
81 am glad to see there is some
one alive and awake in San Leo"
he said, and he seemed to sheer,
as one who had the right to utter
a reproof.
On the faces of those five men
amazement grew and spread. Look
| ing beyond them into the room,
which was lighted by torches set
in iron sconces in the walls. Mes
ser Lorenzo beheld the explanation
OF the silence they had kept. There
was q table on which remained
spread a pack of greasy cards.
They had been at play.
Body of Cd" he went on
You keep fine watch here! The
Borgla soldiery may be at your
very gates. 1 myself can effect an
entrance, and no man to hinder or
challenge me, or so much as give
the alarm! By the Host! were Won
men OF mine, I should find work
Tor you in the kitchen, and hone
tnat you'd give a better account
OF yourselves as solutions than Won
do as soldiers"
Now, who the devil NAV vo,,
be, | say?' again demanded iba
black-brown warrior, scowlinp the
more truculently than before
| "And how the devil come Won