Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05


ing round an angle of the tunnel he beheld the
Count d'Attala striking at the wall with the
handle of his dagger. The slaves stood idly by re-
garding his movements. As he watched, the
recacitrant spring yielded and whole section
ct the stone swung on pivot, disclosing entrance
to a hollow void beyond. The Count replaced the
dagger in his pocket and the slaves at once
dragged the first carpet-bag within the chamber;
emerging presently they all retraced their steps,
leaving the door wide, but in five minutes return
ed with the second bag of gold and disappeared
behind the pivot-door for the space of full
half-hour Cesssngham occasionally caught the
faint chink Of falling coins and guessed that the
old man must be engaged in counting and gloatng
over his money.
He was quite tired of waiting, and feeling chill
ed and damp besides, when the Count, looking
very tired and weary and supported by the slaves,
with many backward glance, finally tore him
self away from his treasurehouse and carefully
closed the door behind him. The young man
deemed it prudent to wait further twenty
minutes after his enemies had gone before he
kindled his own lantern, fearing that the Count
might return. But with the uneventful passing
Of time, he grew bolder, and at length, EN-.
boldened by the silence, he struck light and
advancing to the spot which he had marked,
searched carefully for the spring which might
unbar for him the hidden wealth of the Nihilists.
He might indeed have searched uselessy for
WtehS udu Jue COuTO uSeu proper care an HOur
before, for the spring was small and hidden
cunningly, but piece Of stone Clipped off by
the dagger-hilt gave him the secret after ten
minutes anxious scruting Pressing the spring
the door fell back for him as it had done for his
enemy, and his lantern showed him small
square chamber hewn out Of the limestone prob
ably centuries ago, for both walls and roof were
crusted with tiny stalacttes Entering he found
the floor arranged with wooden chests which
bore remarkable family resemblance to ordinary
wine and spirit cases, indeed, on one he discern
ed the familiar name of "Hennessy."
These chests were not locked or protected in
any way, and Cressingham found no difficulty in
removing their lids. Three of the largest were
filled with golden coins of every nation to the
value Of perhaps two hundred thousand pounds
English two more with bars of solid specie and
the sixth was quarter full of English soveregns.
The last and smallest chest of all, which looked
like a tobacco box, was lined with zinc and
crammed with jewelry and precious stones.
From the largest case he distracted about
thousand pounds in gold, more he did not feel
strong enough to carry, and from the jewel
he selected we'll he able a score or
two of rings and brooches, splendid diamond
necklace and about fifty of the best loose dia-
monds, emeralds and rubies that he could find.
These he tied up in his handkerchief and secured
within the bosom of his shirt.
In another moment he was hurrying backwards
to the staircase. Descending the steps as rapidly
as possible, close and careful search at last
discovered for him the end of the twine which he
had broken, and following the cord he soon found
himself within his sleeping cavern again,
utterly wearied from his excitement and exertons.
Desire woke him-a bashful, blushing Desire
now, no longer pretty, selfconhdent boy, but
girl in boys clothes, shy and shamefaced with
resolutey downcast eyes.
Cressingham yawned stretched himself and
languidly
"What's the time, Desre?
eleven o'clock, my Lord
"Ah, so late! How is Miss Elliott?"
Conscious now, but very weak and ILL.,"
Cressingham stared at the girl and observed
her altered manner with rush of recollection.
"You have seen your mother, Desire?" he
muttered
'T-I-yes my Lord, have seen her."
"Ah, and you convinced"
eyes" Desires cheeks were burning
"You will help me now, Them" said the man
joyfuy.
She sighed: ''I scarcely know, I cannot tell
Everything seems so strange yet. But / have
brought your breakfast, my Lord" She took
from her pockets a small flask of wine, some
meat and bread, and laid them on the stone, also
bottle of oil for the lamp.
Cressngham watched her gravely as at last,
all arranged, she stood before him and
i'll at ease unable to meet his eyes.
"'Mother kissed me this morning" she whisper
ed presently
He frowned. trying vanly to fathom by guess
ing at the workings of her woman's heart. kiss
ed you did she?" he said coldly. Rather uu-
expected on your part, wasn't it,"
eyes, my Lord, it was.
''Did you kiss her too?"
''She-she is so beautiful" stammered Desire
apologetically.
The man gave little groan.
$50 you are ready to forgive her years of
neglect for a single tardy kiss?" he sneered.
The girl glanced up at him half defantly. "She
| is my mother!" she replied.
"Ah, your mother! you said that, Desire,
though you loved her.
"She is my mother!" repeated Desire tremulous-
Ily. "I am sure she would love me if it wasn't
for grandfather"
"Great heavens!" cried Cressingham. "Do you
mean to say you love herr"
"She is my mother" said the girl third time
with rebellious little sob.
"She has never been mother to you, though. -
"Wouldn't wouldn't you--wouldn't you love
your mother no matter how she-how she treated
you?" sobbed Desire, who was now in tears
But Cressingham was angry and desperate.
'1 would not" he snapped, mot if she had
treated me yours has done"
| "But gr-gr-gran father made her-Pm sure
he did; he's so cruell" sobbed Desire. "Tm sure
mother loves me; her-her eyes are always kind"
"Why do you suppose then that she has allowed
you TO be brought up in this fashion like boyw
lgrowled Cressingham.
"P'raps- 'rAps she didn't know"
This absurd suggestion put the cap on the mans
temper With muttered curse he strobe up and
down the cavern, stamping savagly on the floor,
and Desire, in very surprise, ceased crying to OBJ
serve him.
He stopped after moment and faced her
"Tel me" he demanded. "does not all this