Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

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THE done. King Philip must be dethr oned at once. He is not a worthy king and should not sit on the throne. Have all the men together this afternoon. I will make the arrangements for our last meeting.” Chapter IV A Two-Horned Dilemma What shall I do?” thought Marcel. “I must tell the king about this.” He rose to go but bent his ear to the ground again as another voice broke in on the conversation. How natural that voice sounded! Could it be—? Yes, it was his father. It seemed im- possible that Saint Bernard, a noble knight, should stoop to such an act as this. What should Marcel do now? How could he remain loyal to the King and let this plot against his life be go- ing оп? On the other hand, how could he betray his father. He must either be disloyal to the King, or betray his father. How could his father who had taught him loyalty above all else be involved in such a lowly act? As he stood thus thinking. one of the stones near his feet began to move. Quickly he darted out of sight behind a rock. As he watched, a tall knight appeared, carefully replaced the stone and, after looking carefully around, went to his horse. After the knight had disappeared, Marcel went to his horse, mounted and rode thoughtfully back to the castle. Having reached the castle, he entered a room which was not fre- quently used. No one seemed to know what the room was for or why it was PENNELL WHIRLPOOL 11 used. This was what Marcel was wondering as he gazed about the room. The floor was made of beautiful marble. There were but few furnish- ings, and the walls were covered with draperies. As Marcel was wondering what he should do, he wandered about the room examining the draperies. Be- hind one of the draperies in a corner of the room, was a lever fastened to the wall. He pulled on it. Snap! A square of marble floor was lifted from its place in the center of the room. Marcel went to the center to examine the trap door. Underneath the floor was a large spring which was released at the touch of the lever. The spring pushed up the scuttle which was fitted so perfectly that it aroused no suspicion. There was a stairway leading down into a dungeon. Marcel descended the stairs. On reaching the bottom, the first thing that met his eves was a guillotine with its torturing knives. As he looked about the gloomy dungeon he saw the form of a man in the far corner. He was pale and thin from lack of food and sunlight. Marcel approached him slowly. After gazing at him a mo- ment, in astonishment he asked: “Who are you that you should be in this deserted place? “Т am the true King Philip of France , replied the prisoner. You are the King Philip? said Marcel, drawing back in amazement. Yes , replied the other, I am the true King Philip of France . But who sits upon the throne, now. pretending to be King Philip?

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10 THE clanked as it was let down across the moat. The sound of dogs’ barking was mingled with the tramp of horses’ feet as the knights were preparing for a morning hunt. The guards were stationed in their places about the castle. Chapter IT A Skeleton in the Family Closet As the knights rode away to the hunt one lone knight rode by himself in a different direction. He had his visor pulled down so closely about his face that he could not be recognized. He carried a sack which was fastened to the pommel of his saddle. Within the castle King Philip sat on his throne surrounded by guards. There was a look on his face which would have disturbed anyone unac- quainted with his character. Marcel, a son of St. Bernard, one of the knights, was gazing from a castle window. He saw a lone knight disap- pear into the woods. Many a time had he watched this figure vanish. He began to wonder what could be the meaning of it. Finally he determined to follow this strange figure the next time he rode away. On the following morning, Marcel saddled his horse preparatory for a ride. Watching from the window as usual. he saw the strange knight ride into the forest. He quickly went to the stable, mounted his horse, and rode away in the same direction. As it was about an hour after sun- rise, the sun was glimmering through the forest casting long shadows which grew shorter and shorter as the sun PENNELL WHIRLPOOL neared the zenith. All about were the sounds of birds and the trickling of brooks. The horse’s path was paved with stretches of green grass, broken now and then by patches of pine spills. As Marcel rode on through the beau- tiful forest, it seemed that nothing but peace could reign over the land. Yet, why was this strange knight acting in this manner? Where would this path lead him? How could this knight be leaving the castle without the other knights learning of his presence? Chapter ITI A Clandestine Mecting Suddenly his thoughts were broken by the halting of his horse. Looking ahead he found that he was facing a rough country made up of thickets and cliffs. He dismounted to look for the tracks of the pursued knight. Pres- ently a horse neighed. Looking through the trees, he spied a horse hitched in a thicket. Quickly he led his own horse back a short distance. making him walk on stones as much as possible so he wouldn't be traced. Going up to where the other horse was hitched, he found a path leading up over the cliffs. After following this path for a short distance, it seemed to end abruptly. When Marcel stopped to look around, he heard Where were thev coming from? The voices did not sound distant but muffled. Putting his ear to the ground, he found the were coming from below. One of the men was saying: voices. sounds “There is to be only one more mect- ing. We must decide what is to be

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12 THE PENNELL “I will tell you the whole story”, replied the prisoner. “During my father’s reign, there was a great turmoil in France. The Catholic party resolved to dethrone him. My father’s death came sud- denly and unexpectedly. It was cus- tomary at that time for the King not to reveal his son to the public. Be- cause of this custom the people could easily be deceived as to who was his son. I was but fourteen years old. It was then that the Catholic party took the opportunity to seize me. To tell the truth, I know not whom is in my place as King Philip. Since that time which T think was about ten years ago. I have spent my days in this dungeon.” After a moment's pause, Marcel told him of his experience in the woods at the meeting. “Then I have a chance to get revenge and gain the throne which rightfully belongs to me , said Philip. “We must find a way out. Those men in the forest must be informed as to your discovery before they attack the castle. I have very little time , replied Marcel. “It is past midday and they plan to attack before sundown. Marcel quickly replaced the trap door, went to the stable, mounted his horse and rode into the forest. Chapter V Al Is Well That Ends Well Within the palace sat the King and Queen upon the throne. There seemed to be a rather gloomy atmos- phere about the room, as the King never spoke except to give commands WIIIRLPOOL and there was an ever abhoring look about his eyes. The Queen was young and beautiful. She never seemed to be happy. [n her heart she loathed the King as did everyone else. She, like most people. had been deceived as to who was the former King's rightful son. Marcel rode swiftly on through the forest. This time he had no time to admire the beauty of nature. All he heard was the wind whistling by his ears. Upon reaching the place of the meeting he removed the stone and descended the rough stone stairway. The men were gathered in a group within a rough cave. At the appear- ance of the boy they gasped in aston- ishment. His father came forward and demanded the cause of his pres- ence and how he had found his way there. Marcel told him the whole story. “Good”, replied the knights who could think of nothing else to say. “We must work out a plan for placing this man on the throne.” “T have worked out a plan while rid- ing through the woods”, said Marcel. “We will release Philip from his prison to-night. We will bring him before the false King in the morning and give him a chance to confess, and give him a chance to give the throne to its rightful owner. If he refuses, let your army of knights rush into the castle and force him from the throne.” You have a fine idea , answered Saint Bernard. “Get to your horses, men. We'll surround the castle before morning. I'll go before the King with the prisoner and give him a chance to