The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. I9I Norbert proceeded towards the storeroom to choose some respirators for the prisoners. He had just reached ne circular passage, holding his electric lamp, when a sharp blow on the right shoulder knocked the lamp out of his hand, and two strong arms at the same moment seized him round the waist. ‘“VYou were going without us, were you? But you shall not!’’ cried a voice that Norbert recognized as Wagner’s. He struggled vigorously, and caught a glimpse between whiles of two more figures close at hand. ‘‘Kaddour! Virgil! Help!’’ cried Norbert. ‘‘The prisoners have revolted !’’ é“ Happily, Kaddour and Virgil were not far off. They saw in the twink- ling of an eye what had happened, and each rushed upon his man. Norbert, with the energy of despair, had mastered his assailant, and held him pinned to the ground by one knee on his chest. It was Peter Gryphins. With a well directed blow Virgil knocked over Wagner, while Kaddour, seizing Vogel with his strong arms, brought him down with a bump. ‘There you are, all three !’’ cried Virgil. ‘‘Scoundrels! to behave so, just when we came to liberate you. But how did they get here?’’ continued he, looking all round. | The electric lamp which had been deposited on the ground threw a ray of light on the wall, and made it evident that the stones had been quietly and patiently loosened ; so that it needed but a well directed blow to knock them out and leave a great breach, through which the prisoners must have pene- trated into the circular gallery. It was necessary, however, to come to some immediate decision. Had the three visitors been armed, there could be little doubt that they would have summarily settled the matter. But as it was, they were at a loss how to turn their victory to account. ‘“ ff master and Kaddour could manage to hold this vee ? said Viteih ‘‘T can get some rope and have them all bound in a trice.’ ‘“ Quite right,’’ answered Norbert. ‘‘ Hand us over your Saree and make haste.’’ Virgil did as he was bid. Seizing the already half strangled Wagner by the neck, he brought him over to Norbert and Kaddour, who gripped hold of him without slackening their grasp of the other two. ‘‘Take the lantern with you!’’ shouted Norbert. ‘‘ Don’t lose a minute !’’ Virgil obeyed, and disappeared into the storeroom. The prisoners at once struggled madly to escape, but they reckoned without their host, for Kaddour could easily have settled them all. ‘“ If you dare to move again I will throttle you,’’ he said, squeezing their throats, and chuckling horribly. The savage threat had the desired effect ; not one dared to move again. : Virgil had already returned witha rope. He cut off several lengths with his pocket knife, and in a few minutes the three prisoners, strung together in a row like sausages, were placed standing against the wall. The fight had so exhausted them that they said not a word, but submitted silently. CoOmmicooolxs (S@)