The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-01-06
CHAPTER XXI.
THE JOY OF TEMPTATION.


|1HERB was but little sleep in
the chateau that night. The
charity ball was forgotten or.
. II recalled at all. only In con-
nection with the thought Of what 1t
came 80 near to costing its promoters.
No further disturbances occurred. A
strict watch was preserved; the pic
turesque dra wbridge was lifted. and
there were lights on the terrace and gal
leries; men slept within easy reach Of
~aAr weapons. The siege had begun
in earnest. Men had been slain, and
their blood was crying out for venge.
ance; the voice Of justice was lost In
the clamorings Of rage.
The princess was quite serene. She
lightly announced that the present
state Of affairs was no worse than
that which she was accustomed to at
home. The court Of Rapp-Thorberg
was ever In a state OF unrest, despite
its outward suggestion Of security.
Outbreaks were common among the
masses. Somehow they were sup
pressed before they grew large enough
to be noticed by the wide world.
1--WE invariably come out on top"
she philosophical, land so shall we
here. At home we always eat, drink
and make merry, for tomorrow never
comes"
Soon after breakfast was over Chase
announced his intention to visit each
of the gates in turn. The princess
strolled with him as far as the bridge
at the foot Of the terrace. They stop
ped In the shade Of clump Of trees
that hung upon the edge Of the stream,
Al they were gravely discussing the
events Of the night Neenah came up to
them from beyond the bridge. She
salaamed gracefully to the "sahib."
She had no eyes for royalty.
"Excellency," she began breathless-
". ut is Selim who would have pri-
vate speech with the most gracious
sahib. 1t Is to be quick. excellency.
Selim Is under the ground. excellency."
"In the cellarsT"
Eyes, excellency. 1t is so dark there
that one cannot see, but Neenah will
lead you. Selim has sent me. But
come nowr'
Chase felt his ears burn when he
turned to find a delicate. significant
smile on Genevra's lips. Don't let me
detain you" she said, ever so politely.
"Wait, pleaser' he exclaimed. "Is
Selim hurt?" he demanded Of Neenah,
who shook her head vigorously.
Then there is no reason why you
should not accompany us, princess"
81 am not at all necessary to the I'M
dertaking," she said coldly. turning to
leave him.
"Selim has found fuses and gunpow-
der laid in the cellars, excellency-in
the secret vaults" began Neenah ca
gerly, divining the cause Of the white
lady's hesitation.
This astounding piece Of news swept
away the feeble barrier Geneva would
have erected in her pique. She con-
scented to accompany Chase into the
cellars, a spirit Of adventure overcom-
ing certain scruples which might have
restrained her under other conditions.
Neenah led them through the wine
cellars and down into the vaults be-
yond the dungeons The princess
clutched Chase's hand tightly as they
stole through the bleak, chill corridor.
She found herself wondering II the
girl was to be trusted. What II she
were leading them into a trap1 She
would have whispered her fears into
Chase's ear had not sharp "Sh" come
from the girl who was leading. Ge-
nevra felt queer little throb Of hatred
for the girl-she could not explain it.
The dungeon was Off to the right.
They could hear the insistent murmur
of voices, with now and then laugh
from the distant cells. The guard
conld be, heard soothing at his charges.
With,a caution that seemed wholly alb
surd' to the two white people. Neenah
guided them through the maze of mar
row passages. dark ns Erebus and chill
as the grave. Chase checked a hys-
terical impulse to laugh aloud at the
proceedings 1t was like playing at a
children's game.
He was walking between the two
women. Neenah ahead. Geneva be-
hind. Each clasped one Of his hands.
Suddenly he found himself experience
ing an overpowering desire to exert
the strength Of his arm to draw the
princess close-close to his insistent
body. The touch Of her flesh. the
clutch Of her cold little hand. filled
him with the most exquisite sense Of
possession. The magnetism Of life
charged from one to the other. strik-
ing FIRE to the blood. He was forget
ting Neenah. forgetting himself. think
Ing only Of the opportunity and its
fascination. In another instant he
would have drawn her hand to his
Inns Neenah camN To a ata ndStfll and