The Argosy, August 1905 — page 42: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

because this same heretic refused con- solation of the church.” He produced another cigarette and lighted it. “You desire a priest?” said he doubtfully. “Tt is so; in a few hours the sun will rise,” answered the prisoner. The soldier backed out of the cham- ber, closing the door behind him. “The devil!” he muttered. “ And can such a one be found in the neigh- borhood at this hour, especially as I have made it clearly understood the fellow in there has refused to make his peace with Heayen? It would be only just that he die with his sins upon his soul.” ‘ Yet he resolved to find a priest, even if he had to send one of those without in search of one. Coming to the door, he was about to call to a passing citizen when his eyes fell upon a brown cassock approaching slowly the foot of the steps. The churchman’s cow! was drawn well over his eyes and he seemed to be in deep meditation, but upon reaching the steps he stopped and looked up. It was no other than Lieutenant Haddon, who, for perhaps a quarter of an hour, had ‘been hovering in the vicinity of the stone house. The guard removed the cigarette from his mouth. “Holy father,” said he, “a miracle has happened. The man who is con- fined within and who is to die at sunrise requests spiritual consolation. Hitherto he has refused to open his lips.” Haddon bent his head gravely. “Fiven at the eleventh hour. I will go to him, my son,” said he quietly, and mounted the steps until he stood beside the soldier. The latter lost no time in leading him through the hall to the door of the pris- oner’s chamber. When it was opened and the supposed priest stepped across the threshold, his eyes fell upon the open window, directly opposite the man fastened to the wall. “It is not fitting that vulgar eyes gaze open the confession of a dying Pin a cloth across the opening,” THE ARGOSY. ened over the window. Haddon walked across the room and deliberately blew out one of the candles. The place was plunged in semi-darkness. The Mexican slipped quietly out of the chamber, closing the door behind him. Haddon waited for a few mo- ments, and having satisfied himself that the man was not listening, approached the prisoner. “What is to be done must be accom- plished quickly. Are you in any way crippled?” he asked in a low voice. A strange noise escaped the lips of the man fastened to the wall—a sound between a laugh and a groan. “Pixcept that I fear my neck is broken, I have escaped injury,” answered he ina hard voice. “Then you will be able to leave this hole?” answered Haddon. “If you are strong enough to tear this cursed ting from the wall.” The prisoner’s voice expressed anything but hope of liberation, Haddon bent down and examined the iron collar. A glance showed him it would be impossible for even the strong- est man to break it. “TI have not neglected to provide myself with what is needed,” said he quietly, and from under the brown cas- sock he produced a file. “It so happened that, after leaving the window, I ran across the shop of a blacksmith. Hold your head quiet and press to the left; I am going to cut through this iron,” he explained. He tested the ring carefully and an expression of satisfaction crossed his face. The iron was old and rusty, and might, with patience, be severed. Had it been of steel, the task would have presented more difficulties. Suddenly the sound of a low voree, chanting solemnly, filled the chamber. Those without who heard knew it was the priest repeating the prayers for a a about to die. o Haddon and the prisoner chant had another mcsaiians to eee the noise made by the rasping of a file, The Virginian worked desperately, yet carefully. ‘ith | hurvied away and returned sessed cxcullegh ENT sis. eed “Haniel, he fast- yielded beyond exy comicbooks.co