The independent-reporter., 1910-02-17
Continued From Last Week J

"How much better 1t would be for
you II this We're the last goOdby and
should not come Gacki"
"For me?''
"Yes You could marry the prince
| without having me on your conscience
! forevermore ="
"Mr Chaser'
'1t's easier to fcrget the dead than
the living. they say"
"Don't he too sure of that"
"Ah. there's Se'im! Goodby! Wen
have good nows fer You all. hone be-
fore long. Keep your eyes on Neenah.
| She and Selim have arranged set OF
signals Don't lie awake all night, and
don't pray for me-" he scoffed, In
reckless mood.
| The three meu stole out through the
sInall gate In the upper end of the
park. Selim at once took the lead.
They crept off into the black forest,
keeping clear of the mountain path
until they were far from the walls.
The starlight filtered down through
the leafy canopy above the road, In
creasing rather than decreasing the
density of the shadows through which
they sped. None but strong, deter
mined, inspired men could have fol-
lowed the pace set by the 1.-the. sure
footed Selim.
Mile after mile fell behind them
with no relaxation Of energy or pur-
pose. They were coming to the ridge
road, and Selim fell back to explain
the need for caution. This was the
road. In all likelihood, he explained,
that the abductors would have used
In their flight from the cavern. Two
miles farther south 1t Joined the wide
highway that ran from Arafat to the
mines.
Selim crept on ahead to reconnoiter.
He was back in ten minutes with the
information that a party OF men had
but lately passed along the road to-
ward the south. Their footprints in
the soft. untraveled road were fresh.
The stub Of cigarette had scarcely
burned itself out.
They broke away from the road and
took less exposed course through the
forest to their right, keeping well with
In earshot of the ridge. but moving 80
carefully that there was slight danger
Of alarming the party ahead.
At last the sound Of voices came to
the ears Of the pursuers. AS they
crept closer and closer they became
aware Of the fact that the party had
halted In the roadway at the point
where a sharp defile through the rocks
opened a way down into the valley.
Like snakes the pursuers wriggled
their way to point just above the
small basin in which the party was
congregated.
A great throb Of exultation leaped
up from their hearts. In plain view,
at the side Of the road, were the two
persons for whom they were searching.
"Good luck is with u.s." whispered
Chase unconsciously.
Lady Agnes, disheveled, her dress
half stripped from her person, was
seated upon a great bowlder. staring
hopelessly. lifelessIy. at the crowd of
men In the roadway. Beside her stood
a tall islander, watching her und at
the same time listening eagerly to the
dispute that went on between his fel-
lows. She was not bound. Her hands
and feet and lips were free.
Bobby Browne was standing near
by. His hands were tightly bound be-
hind his back. His face was blood
covered. and the upper part Of his
body was almost bare. evidence Of the
struggle he had made against over
| whelming odds. He was staring at
| the ground. his hea4 and shoulders
dropping In utter detection.
Three Of the treasure chests were
standing beside the road, affordins
seats for as many weary carriers. 1t
was all quite plain to Chase. Rasula
and his men had CHANGED upon the two
white people during one Of their trips
| to the cave for the purpose Of remov-
ing the chests.
Rasula was haranguing the crowd Of
| men In the road.
| ut Ii the only wayr' he was shout
ing angrily. I'VE cannot put them tc
death until we are sure that the 9th.
ers have no chance to escape to Nng-
land. am a lawyer. know what II
would mean II the story got TO the
ears Of the government We have
them safely In our hands. The others
| win soon die. Then-then there can be
no mistake! They must be taken tc
| the mines and kept there until ! have
explained everything to the people
| Part of ~ shall conduct them to the
lower mill and the rest Of us 80 on to
the bank with these chests Of gold"
Rasuia and six Of the sturdiest men
prepared to continue the journey to
| Arafat. transporting the chests. Five
sulien, resentful fellows moved over
beside the captives and threw them
selves down upon the grassy swaxd 4
I'VE win wait here tiu day cohe, :