The Washington herald., 1906-10-31
CHAPTER XVI,

7
pleasure In lingering the gold, and he dis
/ played himself In a new aspect to the
unseen watcher. CTessingham smiled to
observe the loving manner in which the
/ old gentleman streked and patted with
( hls bOny ana wTinkled hands the yellow
treasures piled before him. and later the
tender care with which he replaced those
/ heaps one by one within The carpet bags.
When ali was done he stood up and gave
/ an astonishing exhibition OF physical
strength. Without apparent effort he
/ took up the bags, one after another and
I hid them underneath the table. Sandow
/ himself could not have accomplished the
feat with greater ease than this centen-
arian. Painting heavily from the exer-
/ ton. he resumed his chair and drained q
glass Of wine, which appeared to restore
/ his strength completely. He then gave
| three sharp raps on the table with the
wine flask 4 door almost opposite Cres-
singham opened little al the signal. and
/ Madame Katherin cautiously peeped
/ through, but finding her father solitary.
/ sho boldly entered the apartment. closely
accompanied by the counts dumb man
acied attendants who Immediately took
/ up their accustomed positions.
The old man did not turn his head, but
asked. Is that you. Katherin?"
Yes. father" She crossed the room
and stood to face him,
You heard?"
Yes. I heard"
The fool is obstinate; he is getting out
OF hand. You were wrong 20 arouse his
/ Jealousy with Yussef."
Father. the scheme is hopeless; he
loves me. but he will never admit the
marriage. He has been al this evening
painting the advantages Of morganatic
unions. and VOWS that he can do no more
Tor me than that.
Unsafe. my dear; utterly unsafe The
man is not 20 be trusted unless securely
bound. He hates me Ike the devil. and
would berray Us tomorrow 70 Perigord.
only he wishes 10 handle his share Of the
SutaR's gold Wen. when he comes TO
claim that share Of his"
Yes, tather2'
IF in the meantime he has not aeknowI-
cdged you
Yes. father?
The count laughed grimly.
Why. then, my sweet daughter. We
must introduce him 20 the place Of
graves"
Madame sighed.
I suppose there Is no other course pos
sible- The fellow can sull be made Of
use with his help we shall dispatch Peri
soFd withia the week, perhaps the very
day Of bis return from Anarchos. Ha- ha,
ha 4 pretty socSe-chase that"
When the door had changed behind
Madame, the count got up and moved
quietly around the room. barred and
bOited every means OF entrance 70 the
chamber With the greatest care Then
be made some signs to his slaves, aho
dragged the bags OF gold from under.
meath The table, ana taking one between
them, carried IL, staggering slightly under
the weight, toward the staircase leading
20 the gallery.
Cressingham felt that II was time for
him 10 so. WTiggliag backward. he got
into the tunnel and closed the door, then
hurried as swiftly as possible toward
where he had left the stone. Before he
had TaveTsed nifty PAGES. however. be
heard the secret door open with a sharp
click and then q thud. IS Of some falling
body, followed quickly by q smothercd
chinklng sound He stopped. and glanced
backward, but saw nothing The slaves
had evidently returned 70 fetch the second
bag Of coins.
Cresslngham hastily struck 4 match and
picked up the twine which was TO guide
him on his return 70 the cavern. Not
daring 10 light his lantern. he felt his
way through the darkness. following the
string and rolling it up haud-over-hand as
he proceeded H was 50 fearful, though.
ot falling down thc steps that his march
was slow, and soon he heard fer behind
nin the noise OF heavy footballs. Reach
ing al length the staircase, he saw thaF
nc must De caught II he followed the
straight path, and the counts slave9
locH that road too fer tbs steps N=r-
steer and dangerously echoed the slight
est sound Not daring to risk If. be
chose the lesser OF TWO evils and pulled
sharply at the cord. II snapped far
down below him. and with the speed OF
thought be drew up the broken strands
ana hurried with outstretched hands into
one OF the LhTec dark cTOsS-roadS
! lew seconds afterWard there followed
nun faint CLEAN OF light. and he realized
that be had made q horrible mistake The
slaves had taken the path lie had chosen
as refuge, and were treading swiftly on
his heels, but now putting aud painting like
steam engines For wild second Cress-
lnsnam thought Of waiting tor his enc
MES ano risking everything In the hazard
oi personal encounter, but he had no
weapon. nc was physically not q strong
man ano the odds were at least two-per-
maps Ihree-to one No doubt. too the
count was armed with knife or revolver
IN which case nc would have no chance
JUCsing discretion the better part OF
Valor be hurried in advance. following
VIII oifnculty the tw!stings and turnings
OF me tunnel This went on for perhaps
HuhoIed PAGES. when OF q sudden be
thankfully observed that he had distanced
his purSUers and that the light was no
longer visible. Hating abruptly. he found
ne could stil hear FOOTBALLS and was abouf
10 Tecommence his flight. when they eeas-
eu- he waited still as death, his everv
sense strained 10 listen.
FOR ten seconds deep silence. then q
voice cried anerily. 'Sapristi, the catch
is rusted. and he heard the sound Of
rapid hanmering Of steel on steel
Burning with curiosity. Cressingham
crept backward until the zone OF 1iRllr
was reached. Peeping hound an angle
q The tunnel he behei6 the coUnt
AtLala striking at the wall with the
handle OF his dagger. The slaves stood
ld4y by regarding his movements. As lie
watched, The recalcitrant spring yielded
ana a whole section OF the stone swung
on pivot disclosing entrance TO boi.
low VOID beyond. The count replaced the
dagger IN bis pocket, and the slaves at
once dragged the first carpet bag Wits
III the Chamber; emerging presently, 1hey
all retraeeo their steps, leaving che door
VIDE out IN five minutes returned W tn
the second bag Of sold. and disappeared
behind the pivot-door for the space OF 4
iui halt hour. CresS!nghag occasional
~ caught the faint clink OF falling coins,
ana guessed that The old man must be
engaged in counting and gloatins over his
money.
He vas quite tired of waiting. and feel
ing chilled and damp besides when The
count looking very tired and weary and
supported by the slaves. with many a
backward glance. finally tore himself
away from his treasure-house. and car6.