The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-26
others, and then come back Take the candle
with you; there is little light here"

This was true
The dungeon in which they stood was at
the foot of the stone steps, and little OF
the light of day streamed down upon them
through the open door,
The other dungeons lay in pitchy darkness.
Sir Basil did as he was told
He not really interested in exploring
these dismal old relics of the past but he was
spontaneously willing to oblige his cousin,
and if he examined the place we'll, he could
speak with more authority in advising her
as he fully meant to do-to let the ruins stand
as they were.
But the moment he had entered the next
dungeon, my lady did a most extraordinary
thing.
She flew to the heavy door, and, exerting all
her strength slammed it to.
The noise re-echoed with a hollow sound all
through the dungeons, and Sir Basil came
hCrrying tack-to find my lady apparently
scared and GREATNESS.
"Whatever is the matter? What's shut the
door," he exclaimed, in dismay.
"Oh, Basil, there was rat ran by me, and
so terrified tried to get behind the
door, and it slammed to before 1 could stop
it,
That's rather nuisance said Sir Basil,
trying to speak carelessly, although there
flashed across his mind a fear that this con-
tretemps might turn out an uncommonly aWk-
ward one for them both.
''The key was in the lock, on the outside
wasn't it?' he continued, going to the door,
and examining it by the light of the candle
yes. it was Oh, Basil, whatever shall we
do?"
"Well, suppose we shall have to stay here
until somebody cones and releases US. 1t
won't be very pleasant, admit; but we must
make the best Of it," he concluded, cheerfully.
And if we never should be found?" painted
my lady, with wide-open eyes,
Il don't think we need fear that. When you
don't return to the house, you will be
searched for high and low. By-the-by. did
anyone know you meant coming here?"
Mono one
"Ah, that's a pity; but nevertheless, I
haven't the slightest doubt a search will be
made here as well as in other places. I'll try
what bit of noise will do. It's just possible
someone may be passing by, you know.
"It is such a lonely place. I don't think
anyone passes here once day. said Lady
Tudor wringing her daintily gloved hands
and looking the very picture of terror.
well, nothing beats a trial." said Sir Basil;
and, picking up a stone, he hammered away
at the door, shouting out meanwhile in stem
torian tones, which, loud though they We're
could scarcely, however, have pierced through
that solid oak and up the flight of steps, even
had any person CHANGED to be passing.
I'VE shall never be found walled my lady
never, never! We shall have to die here.
know it; I feel it! I have presentiment that
this place will be my grave
Sir Basil desisted from his futile attempts
at attracting attention, and, instead, devoted
himself to soothing her distress
81 am quite certain we shall be rescued" he
assured her. ct is possible that some hours
may have to elapse first; but in the end we
are bound to be discovered. When you do
not return, every inch of ground will be gone
over every place. likely or unlikely; and you
may be very sure that this will not be over
looked"
Lady Tudor, however seemed quite unable
to take comfort from this CHEEKY and per-
fectly sensible view of their position.
Tears were gathering in her beautiful blue
eyes; her face was pale, her lips were quiv
ering.
Sir Basil feared she was growing hysterical.
1t amazed him to find his clever, self-pos-
lSessed cousin whom he had always regarded
as sngularly brave for a woman, so utterly
beside herself with terror at the presence of
so remote a peril.
''They will never think of looking here" she
Sobbed over and over again. Or If they do,
it will only be when it is too late I shall not
live till tomorrow, Basil. The horror of this
place will kill me-
She looked up at him with her lovely lus-
trous eyes swimming in tears, and he could
not but pass his arm round her waist to sup
port her when he she was trembling.
He spoke to her soothingly and half caress-
ingly, he might have spoken to fright
ened child.
He would have acted exactly the same if
he had known he was Observed but certainly
neither he Lady Tudor dreamed that
there was a third person in those dungeons
at that moment.
Greatly amazed would they have been could
they have known that in the dense darkness
of the adjoining dungeon man was crouch
ing, with his eye applied to a small aperture
in the wall, watching them, and straining his
ear to listen to their every word.
1t was the man who had professed himself
a friend of the late Sir Robert Tudor-the
elderly, seafaring-looking man, with the
SCARED face and deep-set eyes.
Lady Tudor suffered herself to be Gained
somewhat by Sir Basil's gentle soothings;
but she chung to him, and would not let him
leave her, even to go into the other dungeons
and make sure there was possible means
|of exit there.
81 know this is the only entrance" she said.
"Oh Basil, don't leave me! Do-do stay with
me. dear. This place like a grave. If Won