The independent-reporter., 1910-02-10


be fair with me. IL can't even jest
about 1t. 1t is too much TO ask of me. ="
she went on. with a strange firmness
In her voice ''It would require CEN
turtles TO make me forget that | am a
princess. just as centuries were taken
up In creating me what | am. l am no
better than you, dear. but-but-you
understand?' She said 1t so pleading
ly, so hopelessly. that he understood
what Ii was that she could not say to
him I'VE seldom, If ever, marry the
men whom God has made for US to
love"
He lifted her hands to his breast and
held them there. "If you will just go
on loving me I'll some day make you
forget you're a princess" She smiled
and shook her head Her hair glea med
red and bronze In the kindly light; a
soft perfume came up to his nostrils.
The next day three of the native
servants became violently Ill. seized by
the most appalling convulsions. At
first thrill of horror ran through the
chateau. The plague-the plague In
reality!
But these fears were quickly dissi-
pated. The sufferers soon began to
mend. BY nightfall they were fairly
well recovered. The mysterious seizure,
however. was unexplained. Chase alone
OWNED the cause. Poison He was
sure of 1t! But who the poisoner?
All previous perils and all that the
future seemed to promise were forgot
ten In the startling discovery that
came with the fall Of night
Lady Deppingham and Robert
Browne were missing! They had dis
appeared as II swallowed by the earth
itself! Neenah, the wife of Selim, was
the last of those in the chateau to see
the heirs. They crossed the swift tor
rent by the narrow bridge at the base
Of the cliff and stopped below the
mouth of the cavern which blew its
cool breath out upon the hanging gar
den. Later on she saw them climb TIE
vtanch ladder and stand In the black
opening. apparently enjoying the cool
ing wind that came from the damp
bowels of the mountain. Her attention
was called elsewhere, and that was the
last glimpse she had of the two people
about whom centered the struggle for
untold riches.
"Chase, they are lost In therer
groaned Deppingham, numb with ap-
prehension. He was trembling like a
leaf.
There's just one thing to do" said
Chase. We've got to explore that
cavern to the end. They may have
lost their bearings and strayed Off into
one Of the lateral passages"
IL can't bear the thought Of her
wandering about In that horrible
place." Deppingham cried as he start
ed resolutely toward the ladder.
shell come out Of 1t all right" said
Chase, a sudden compassion in his
eyes.
Drusilla Browne was standing near
by, cold and silent with dread, set
expression In her eyes. Her lips mov-
ed slowly. and Deppingham heard the
bitter words: You will find them,
Lord Deppingham. You will find
themr'
He stopped and passed his hand over
his eyes. Then, without word, he
snatched rife from the hands Of one
of the patrol and led the way up the
ladder. Chase turned to the white
faced princess and said between his
teeth:
IF Skaggs and Wyckholme had been
in the employ Of the devil himself
they could not have foreseen the result
OF their internal plotting. am afraid
--mortally afraid"
"Take care Of him, Hollingsworth."
she whispered shuddering.
"Goodby. Genevra, my princess"
said Chase softly and then was on
with Britt and Selim. As he passed
Druailla he seized her hand and paused
long enough to say:
TITS all right, little woman. take my
word for 1t. II were you, I'd cry.
You'll see things differently through
your tears"
The four men. with their lights. van
ished from sight few moments later.
Chase grasped Deppingha arm and
held him back. gravely suggesting that
Selim should lead the way.
They were to learn the truth almost
before they had fairly begun their In
vestigations.
The heirs already were In the hands
Of their enemies, the islanders!
The eager searchers. shouting as
they went. had come 10 what was
known as the cathedral" This was
a wide. lofty chamber, hung with
dripping stalactites, far below the
level at which they began the descent.
The floor was almost as 6at and even
~ that Of q modern dwelling. Here
the cavern branched on In three or