The Press., 1886-11-25

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 T wonder you don 't have this dam wood. 4It is a regular trap. Some day you'll beggorry for it.
 Prophetic WOt,dSI s 41ft ss t1 'ssss
 "Yes: wish it were removed" re- spends Florence, with strange quick shiver. . ss,g t9e
 Sir Adrian laughs. s,s.... ss fzs... ; .,-5
 eRars mat ls 9ne 9f the oIf bsSI%sr to the dark ages, and suggests all sorts of horrible possibilities. This room would be nothing without it's myster- iOus lock"
 At this moment Dora's eyes turn slowly toward Arthur Dynecourt. She herself hardly knows why, at this par ticular time, she should look at him, yet she feels that some unaccOuntable fascination is compelling her gaze to encounter his. Their eyes meet. As they do so, Dora shudders and turns deadly pale. There is that in Arthur Dynecourt's dark and sullen eyes that strikes her cold with terror and vague forebodings of evil. It is wicked look that OverspreadS the mans face-a cruel, implacable look that seems to freeze her as she gaZes at him spell bound, Slowly, even while she watches him, she sees him turn his glance from her to Sir3Adrian in meaning man. ner, as though to let her know that the vile thought that is working in his brain and is betraying itself on his face is intended for him, not her. And yet, with this too, he gives her silently to understand that, if she shows any treachery toward him, he will not leave tunreWarded. ls fs:1 ~ X CoWed, frightened, trembling at what she knows not, Dora staggers. backward, and, laying hand upon the wall beside her, tries to regain self-t possession. The others are all talking together, she is therefore unO observed. She. stands, still panting and pallid, trying to collect her thoughts.
 < Only one thing, comes clearly to her, an unnamed dread-it is that, by her own double dealing and falseness to- ward Florence, she has seemed to enter into compact with this man to be 8 companion in whatever crime he may decide upon. His very look seems to implicate her, to drag her down with him to his level. She feels herself conspiracy. And what further adds to the horror of the situation is the knowl- edge that she knows herself to be blind ly ignorant of whatever plans he may be forming.
 After few seconds she rouses her. self, and wins back some degree of icomposure. It is of course a mere weakness to believe herself in the pow Ier of Arthur Dynecourt, she tries to convince herself. He is no more than any other ordinary acquaintance. If indeed she has helped him in his little efforts to secure the love of Florence, there was no great harm in that, though of course it served her own pI1r pose also.
 "How pale you are, Mrs. Talbot?" re- marks Sir Adrian suddenly, wheeling lrou&d to look at her more closely. Has this damp old place really affected your nerves? Come, let us go down again, and forget in the sunshine that bloody deeds were ever committed here or elsewhere"
 q am nervous, confess" responds Dora, in low tone. Y Yes, yes-let us leave this terrible room forever"
 So be it." says Sir Adrian gayly. For my part, I feel no desire to re-en- ter it." ~ ,s
 aIt is very high art, I suppose,s ob- serves Ethel VillierS, glancing round the walls. "Uncomfort places al- ways are. It would be quite treasure to Lady Betty Trefeld, who raves over the early Britons. It seems rather thrown away upon us. Captain Ring
 
 denly turned into stone. Let me pass, please. H t-s -sA,a..s RingWood not to have let the door slam, and SO imprisoned us for life" says Sir Adrian, with a laugh. ~I am sure we owe him debt of gratitude" !"
 T hope you'll all pay it," laughs perience for you to give creditor something for once. never pay my own debts; but that doesn't count. I feel sure you are all going to give me something for my services as door
 What shall give you2" asks Ethel coquettishly.
 s1'H tell you by and by" he replies, with such an expressive look that for ready, but, 'bfushing crimson, hurries past him down the stone stairs, where she waits at the bottom for the others.
 As Florence reaches the door she panses and St0Ops to examine the lock.
 wish" she says to Sir Adrian, a strange AsTbdued excitement in her S6. fSSRss yop would remove this lock.
 "But Why" he asks, impressed in spite of himself, by her manner.
 I hardly know myself; it is fancy an unaccountable one, perhaps--but still 3 powerful one, Do be guided by me and have it removed" 't tiTs
 "What-the fancy?" he asks laugh ing; she pleads earnestly, far more earnest ly than the occasion seems to warrant. Gall it a silly presentiment, if you like, but I honestly think that lock will work you evil some day. Therefore its that I ask you to. do away with it."
 You ask me?" he queries. 2
 Yes, if only to please me-for my sake"
 She has evidently forgotten her late distrust in him, for she speaks now in the old sweet tone, and with tears in her eyes. Sir Adrian fushes warmly.
 For your sake" he whispers. What is there I would not do, if thus re- quested?"
 A bitter sheer contracts Arthur Dynecourt's lips as he listens to the first part of this conversation and guess es at the latter half. He notes cor rectly the kindling of their eyes, the quick breath that comes and goes like happy signs from the breast of Flor ence. He hears the whisper, sees the warm blush, and glances expFessively at Dora. Meeting her eyes he lays his finger on his lips to caution her silence, and then when passing by her.. whis-
 Meet me in half an hour in the low or gallery
 Rowing her acquaintance in this ar rangement, fearing indeed to refuse. Dora follows the others from the haunted chamber. z <
 At the foot of the small stone stair CaS0-b0fOr0 they 20 through the first