The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 533 ‘Oh, sir!’’ said the valet. ‘‘I have not had a drop this morning—I mean since we rose; for, in this wretched country, one never knows whether it be morning or evening !”’ : ‘“You are quite sure you saw some one escape through the window?’’ asked Norbert. ‘“T am ready to make an affidavit of the fact !’’ said Smith majestically. ‘“We will spare you that trouble. But we must sift this matter to the bottom. ‘Two of you come with me while the others keep guard over the - observatory.”’ : ° The doctor and Smith were left in the Hall of Motors. Having provided themselves with firearms and donned their respirators, the three went out by the window. This window gave access to the turning to the right that branched off the circular passage, and it looked on to the building that had done duty as the lodging of the controlling commissioners and the prison of Kaddour. ‘This building had no direct communication with the interior of the observatory, and hence it had been overlooked lately. Norbert remembered that it must contain a small supply of air; and as such a commodity was in no wise to be despised he weut straight to the door. | Just as he touched it a shot was fired through a circular opening. It burnt his hair without doing him further injury. The ball lodged in the wall, and knocked several splinters off it. ‘The enemy is there!’’ said Norbert to his companions, as he stood up close against the wall, signing them to do the same. The precaution was not useless. Two more shots succeeded the first. Virgil would not wait any longer ; he threw himself on the door and tried to burst it open. But it was locked and perhaps barricaded on the inside. It was impossible to break it in. ‘There is only one thing to be done,’’ he said, in a low voice. ‘‘ Let us slip behind the outer wall, and, getting on the top, fire at the windows.”’ The advice was too good not to be followed. In less than three minutes the three had climbed up the outer wall by the slope. ‘They lay down on their faces on the dry grass and opened a well sustained fire from their breech loaders. ‘The windows and woodwork were shivered to pieces; but no one replied. ‘‘They are watching for us to uncover that they may take aim at us!’’ said the experienced Virgil. ‘‘ But we know a trick worth two of that, my fine fellows! You shall uncover first !.”’ Seeing that no appreciable effect was produced, Norbert ordered them to fire on the door. It flew into pieces at the third shot. ‘To the breach !’’ shouted Norbert, sliding down the slope, Virgil and Kaddour with him. There was no one! ‘The besieged had vanished. Doubtless they must have taken refuge in the adjoining room. Norbert fired, therefore, at the second door. : ‘Tf they are ordinary men they must capitulate for want of air,’’ said the young astronomer. COMiclboOoks.c©