The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS, 497 pounds could not tempt them. They would only lose their heads in the morning. It matters little,’ he added. “ They will lose them anyhow. But our time has come; be ready now to assist.’’ He motioned Guy and Melton behind the door, and then pulling it partly open, uttered a few words in a strange tongue. Instantly the powerful frame of the big Nubian entered, and as he stood for one second on the dungeon floor, sudden mistrust in his ugly features, Canaris leaped at his throat and bore him heavily to the ground. ‘“‘ Quick,’’ he cried, and in an instant Guy and Melton had seized the struggling man’s arms and feet. Still pressing the fellow’s windpipe with one muscular hand, Canaris thrust a gag into the gaping mouth, and in two minutes their captive was lying bound and helpless on the straw. ‘‘ What did you tell him?’’ asked Guy. ‘I said our lamp was going out,’’ Canaris replied. ‘‘ And now for the man at the prison door. I must get him inside, for the post is in plain view of the guard at the gate.” | A solution of this puzzling problem was closer at hand than any one imag- ined. ‘The creaking of a door was heard, followed by approaching footsteps. ‘Here he comes now,’ said Canaris in an excited whisper. ‘‘ He has grown suspicious, and has determined to investigate. Quick!’’ Canaris darted to the other side of the doorway, and then ensued another period of chilling suspense. , The tread came nearer, and at last another stalwart Nubian blocked the doorway with his massive bulk. His look of wonder was comical as he saw his comrade gagged and bound on the dungeon floor, but before the half ar- ticulated exclamation could escape his lips, Canaris had him by the throat, and down they came. ‘The fellow uttered one cry, and then, as his head struck the edge of the door in falling, his struggles lessened, and with no trouble at all he was gagged and bound. | Canaris tore the ammunition from their belts, handed Guy and Melton their rifles, and then blowing out the lamp, he pushed them into the corridor and bolted the door. ‘Two heads will be off in the morning,’’ he remarked grimly. ‘‘One more victory and we are out of prison.”’ —: He blew out the light that stood in the corridor and led the way through the darkness till he reached the door. He pulled it open, a crack revealing the moonlit courtyard, and took a long, careful survey. ‘There is the man we want,’’ he whispered, pointing across the court, and putting his eyes to the crevice Guy saw against the massive prison wall a dark shadow, leaning grimly on a rifle. . 2 CHAPTER XIII.—Tue Fricut THROUGH THE Town. IT was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door. ‘That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once. Any moment (H) Oo COnmnicloookxs:.€c@