Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-07
) THE BRONZE BELL
BY LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE.
Copyright LouiJo sephv
the


unguarded and the woman swooped down
upon ii like a bird of prey; but before
she could get her fingers on its grip
Labertouche stepped between them.
Tended her off and quietly possessed him.
self of the weapon.
Your pardon. madam" he said.
graveiy.
Naraini retreated shaking with fury,
and Amber employed the respite to recog-
nize Sophia Farrell In the woman on the
charpoy. She was still seated. prevented
from rising by bonds about her wrists
and ankles. and though unnaturally pale.
her anguish of fear and despair had set
its marks upon her face without one whit
detracting from the appeal of her beauty.
He went to her Immediately and as their
eyes met. hers famed with joy. relief
and,-he dared believe-a stronger emo
ton
.'You-you're not hurt. Mr.. AMBER
Not at all. The bullet went out
through my sleeve. And you?" He drop
seve ring the ends of rope that bound her.
I'm all right She took his hands.
helping herself to rise. Thank YOU"
she said. her eyes shining. flush OF
color suffusing her face with glory.
did you cut those ropes. AMBER"
Labertouche interposed. curtiy.
Yes. Why?'
Tie Englishman explained without turn.
of Naraini. TOO bad-we'll have to tie
this woman up. somehow. She's a COM
plication / hadn't foreseen Here,
you better leave me to attend to her
you and Miss Farrell. Go on down the
gallary-to the left. I'll catch up with
you"
The pistol which he still held lent to his
demand a sinister significance Of which
he was. perhaps. thoughtless. But Sophia
Farrell heard. saw and surmised.
MOI she cried. going swiftly to the
secret agent. MOI" She put a hand
upon his arm. but he shook it Off.
did you hear me. AMBER" said Lab
ertouche, still watching the queen.
What do you mean to do?" insisted
Sophia. You can't-you mustn't
This is no time for half measures.
Miss Farrell Labertouche told her.
brusquely. "Our lives hang I'm the bal
ance-Mr. Ambers yours. mine. Please
60"
You promise not to harm herr"
AMBER cried the Englishman. i'm
patiently. "Will you
Please Miss Farrell,'' begged Amber.
trying to take the girls hand and draw
her away.
Il WON'T" she declared. I'm not move
step until he promises. You don I'M
derstand No matter what the danger
She's
She's a iend incarnate." Labertouche
broke in. Amber. get that girl
She's my sister," cried Sophia. Now
will you understand"
What The two men exclaimed as
one.
shes my sister, the girl repeated.
holoing up her head defiaptly. her cheeks
burlling-"my sister by adoption. We
were brought up together She was the
daughter of an old friend of my fathers
ar Indian prince. A few years ago she
ran away
THANK God" said Amber from the
bottom of his soul, and, "Ah, you would"
cried Labertouche. tensely. as Naraini
seized the opportunity, when his attention
was momentarily diverted. to break for
FREEDOM
Amber saw the flash of a steel blade In
the woman's hand as she struck at the
secret agent, and the latter. stepping
back, DETECTED the blow with a guarding
forearm. Then. with the auickness of
snake, Naraini stopped, glided beneath
his arms and slipped from the cell.
With a smothered oath LabertOucha
leaped to the doorway. lifting his pistol.
but he was no quicker than Sophia, who
caught his arm and held him back. No
she painted; mot even for our lives-not
at that price,
(To be continued tomorrow.)