IN WHICH THERE IS A TERRIBLE CALAMITY.
Russell's advent among the embarrassed lovers can easily be explained.
Seated at the gate in the uniform of a general, with gorgeous array of
blue and gold, with a sword in his manly hand, and armed warriors around
him, his martial soul had gradually lost its terrors, and his mind was at
leisure to think of other things.
First among these other things was that precious package which he had
concealed. Now was the time for him to look them up and regain possession.
None but friends were now in the castle. Those bonds were now safer in his
own possession than anywhere else, and never could he hope for a better
chance than this. As for Rita, she must have fled, he thought, with the
other fugitives, and with her had fled his worst fear.
With such thoughts as these, the martial Russell sheathed his warlike
sword and walked back again toward the castle. Here he entered the hall
where the others were talking, and, passing through, entered the
well-remembered room where he had been confined. He looked all around. He
was alone. He walked to the chimney. He looked up. Through the broad
opening at the top he saw the sky. In the gloom of the shaft he saw also
that opening in which he had placed the precious parcel.
All seemed as it had been, and he felt convinced that his papers were
safe. Further examination, however, was, just now, not advisable. He would
have to light a torch, and some of his friends might come in just as he
was going up or coming down. So he concluded to defer his search until
they had gone out of the way a little, until which time the package would
be quite safe. In the mean time he thought he would go back and hear what
they were all talking about.
Coming back again, he saw them all going in different directions, and, as
a matter of course, he followed those who were nearest and dearest,
namely, Katie and Harry. He stood and listened with a benignant smile to
their loving words. He gazed complacently upon their outrageous and
unbounded spooning. He had no objection now to any one whom Katie might
choose. To Ashby he felt repugnance on account of former quarrels, but to
Harry none whatever. Even to Ashby he would have yielded, for prejudices
die out quickly in a Castle of Spain. And so, as we have seen, the good
Russell interrupted the happy lovers in a paternal way, and did the "heavy
father" to perfection--with outstretched hands, moistened eyes, and "Bless
you, bless you, my children!"
The subject of flight was already before them, and this was for Russell
the most acceptable possible. He felt that he could give valuable
information, since he himself had been a fugitive. Every step of the way
was well remembered by him. In a few minutes he had made them acquainted
with the story of his former escape, and the adventurous Harry at once
decided that this would be the very way by which he could carry off Katie
and himself from their embarrassing surroundings. For various reasons he
wished to go away in a quiet, unobtrusive manner, without ostentation or
vain display, and in no other way could he do it so effectually as in
this.
Harry at once decided that his best course would be to spend the hours of
closing day in making himself acquainted with this passage. He did not
feel inclined to be altogether dependent upon Russell. Circumstances might
arise which might make it desirable to fly without him. That good man
might become suddenly unwell, or there might be an attack by the enemy, or
other things might occur, under any of which circumstances Harry would
have to rely upon himself alone.
Russell had no objections; in fact, he himself preferred going over the
way once more. About this there was no difficulty. There were very few in
the castle, and these had no idea of watching each other; in fact, each
party seemed only too anxious to keep out of the other's way.
Katie now retired to that room which she had last occupied, and Harry went
off with Russell. The daylight befriended them so that they were able to
find their way along the lower passages, until at length they came to the
opening under the arch of the ruined bridge. Here they both went down one
side of the chasm and up the other until they both reached the tower.
Harry was delighted with this discovery, and felt fully capable of
traversing the path himself even in the darkest night; while Russell,
though a little out of breath, was quite willing to bear the fatigue in
return for the additional knowledge he had gained.
On regaining the castle, Harry went to tell Katie the result, and to
prepare her for their coming flight.
Russell now had leisure to attend to the great work of securing the hidden
treasure. He decided that he ought to do this in perfect secrecy, so that
none of his friends should know where he was going, or even suspect it.
First of all, he followed Harry to the upper story, where he took an
affectionate leave of him. Then he prowled about until he discovered
Ashby, who was with Dolores in a remote part of the court-yard. The six
Carlists were still at the gate. The other two inmates of the castle,
namely, Brooke and Talbot, were in the room in which the recent stormy
events had taken place. They had been attending to the wounds of the
prisoners, and were still so engaged that they did not look up as Russell
entered. He said nothing, but hastily retreated and went into the opposite
room--the very one in which he wae to conduct his operations. But he was
too cautious to begin just yet; so he waited, and at length had the
satisfaction of seeing these two go down-stairs and out of the castle.
And now at last the time had come. There was no eye to behold him, and no
one to suspect.
An old torch was in the fireplace. This he picked up, and then, going back
to the door, looked all around stealthily and warily. All was still.
Thereupon he returned. His manly heart was throbbing fast--violently, even
painfully. The sense of loneliness was oppressive. Had his purpose been
less important, he would certainly have turned and fled. But too much was
at stake. Before him there arose the vision of that vast treasure--thirty
thousand pounds--and its attraction was irresistible. He must go forward;
and now was the time to win, or never.
He stood for a moment gathering up his courage.
What if Rita should be concealed somewhere up there!
Such was the awful thought that suddenly occurred to him and made him
quail.
The idea suggested itself of going back to Harry and getting his aid. But
no, that would never do. He would let it be supposed that these bonds had
been taken from him. If he were to tell his secret to Harry, all would be
lost. No; he must go, and alone.
Once more he went to the door and listened. All was still.
He now nerved himself up for a supreme effort. If he were to delay any
longer, some of them would be sure to return. Now or never.
He struck a match against the stone floor. It kindled.
In another moment the torch was blazing brightly; and, holding this in one
hand, Russell used his other hand to clamber up the projecting stones.
Up he went, higher and higher.
And now he reached the opening, and his knee was resting upon it, and he
was just about to raise the torch so as to peer in.
At that instant there was a sudden rush, and a spring, that sent a thrill
of sharp agony to his heart. A pair of strong arms were flung about him.
The torch fell, and the smoke blinded his eyes. He felt himself dragged
forward helplessly into the gloomy hole, while a fierce whisper hissed
into his despairing ears words that made him almost die out of sheer
fright--
"Hah! base traidor, I haffa you! I haffa you! You salla not scappar from
Rita again!"
At this Russell gave a wild, long, piercing yell, and fainted.