Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-07-27

I .Helen Beauclair!" said voice,
cold and metallic, from behind the
leaning slab
The poor girl, whose eyes had begun
to close turned her gaze in the d1rec-
ton of the slab.
"Who calls? Who is there-behind
the stone?" gasped Helen, but unable
to lift her head.
"I-Zeno Sosia!'' replied the voice
behind the slab; and the next instant
the head and face of the sorcerer APP
peared,
A wall, low and tremulous, escaped
from Helen's lips, as she recognized
this exultant wretch. Terror, surprise
and dismay froze, as it were, her
brain. and for time even power to
think was denied her.
at is I, Zeno sosia, the sorcerer OF
st. Giles-the enemy of Clarence OAR
rell." said Sosia, crawling into the
cave. and standing erect near his
helpless prey. Expect no aid from
hiI;;," continued the sorcerer, gazing
sternly at her ut is not yet an hour
your lovers cunning time pins to de-
ceive you. AS you lighted the lamp
you inhaled a gas under whose effects
you now are. Your lover told you
was dead He and others believe l
am dead. live-for vengeance upon
Clarence Darrell You shall be my
wife!"
His wife! sosia's wife! o God,
aid me!'
"You shall be my wife, Helen Beau
clair, and in time the wealth for which
the Osreds plotted shall be mine! for
the marriage l intend with you shall
be legal. You yourself will consent
to accept me as your husband"
Never, foul beast!' gasped Helen,
"never!"
The sorcerer, confident of his pow
er, smiled grimly.
''You would surrender your soul to
save the life of Clarence DARRELL"
The hideous visage of the sorcerer
was so near to Helen's face as she
spoke that a convulsive shudder Of
horror and disgust crept over her
frame.
Listen continued sosia. HE
will return to Dun Aengus before
dawn-at about dawn, perhaps, for the
old fisherman he spoke Of is still liv-
ing at Kilronan saw the old man
there when | came to Dun Aengus Cliff
a few weeks ago. Clarence Darrell
or Claudius de Lavet, for such is his
true name-will return to Dun Aen-
gus Cliff about dawn. He will pass
through the trap door as you and he
did He will descend the spiral stone
stairway. He will pass through the
narrow passage that leads into the
ancient dungeon. He will never quit
that dungeon alive!"
ooh, heaven!" gasped poor Helen.
HE will die in that dungeon! He
will die of hunger, of thirst, of despair!
Just beyond the entrance of that pas
sage which leads from that dungeon
to this cave-just two feet on this side
of that passage, concealed in the wall
of the passage, is door of solid stone,
a foot thick. A man standing on this
side of the door, by pulling upon an
iron ring, can force that door outward
from the passage wall, across the pas
sage, and prevent egress from the
dungeon in this direction. Only from
this side Of the stone door can any one
move it back to where it now is. l
shall draw that door across the pas
sage presently. Who shall move it
again for the escape of your Clar-
cnce?"
"Oh, may the hand of God move It'll"
moaned Helen.
The sorcerer replied to this pious
petition with a cold sheer. He had
no faith in the hand of God. He had
faith only in science, daring, cunning
and energy.
.'The instant your Clarence enters
the dungeon" he continued, "that
great iron door by which he enters
shall be closed upon him.
Heaven help thee, dear Clarence"
moaned Helen.
Ito Be continued)