The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-29

N"O was tlcu ~ lnelT meetlngIree.
. He awoke with start and heard
some one hammering on the outer
door of the chalet and calling his
name. 1t was Vane's voice It was not
yet dawn, and was still pitch dark.
Ronald sprang out of bed and hurried
to the door and flung it open, for he
100, recognized Vane's voice
Nane stepped in; he was wet, his
face pale, his manner agitated
"Hullo, Vane!" said Ronald What
Is it? Why have You come back?"
Without a word, Vane took from
Smithers the lamp which he had lit,
walked past them into the sitting room
and when Ronald had followed him
closed and locked the door
is ii all right" he asked hoarsely,
and with nervous twitching of his
lips. The perspiration was standing on
his brow in great drops.
Yes. it's all right" said Ronald
W nat aus ApN, man lOu lOOh dn IL
YOU had seen ghost"
Nane dropped into chair and
wiped the sweat from his forehead.
That's what / feel like he said.
y don't know what's got hold of me.
| don't generally act like neurotic
idiot I've been uneasy every minute
during the cruise. I've been haunted
by ad read that something would hap
pen, something go wrong. had to
come back; ! tell you had to! You
are sure everything is right"
quite sure said Ronald He pour
ed out a stiff drink, and almost
thrust it into Vane's hand. which,
shook as he took it and drank it at
draught You're wet. The rain has
started since | turned in. You must
turn in yourself. Vane; your nerves
are all wrong Get outside another /
drink and go to bed
Vane nodded, sat staring al the floor
moodily for "A little while, then, with !
nod, went off to his room; but in
IA minute or two he was back whittier
than before, and with his lips sternly
set.
It's no use; | cant rest, " he said
almost fiercely Call your man; wen
take some tools and go down there at
once meihing-a vague fear-is
driving me mad"
Right said Ronald for he saw
that it was useless to argue with
him.
He called Smithers; they got cou-
pie of picks and a spade, and with
the hurricane lantern partially screen
ed, they left the chalet and penetrated
into the intense darkness Not word
was spoken. Smithers trotted beside
them with pick over his shoulder
as if there were nothing unusual or
extraordinary in their proceedings.
Vane walked hurriedly, and once he
would have stumbled if Ronald had
not caught MIN.
For Gods sake, be calm, Vane!" he
said, in low voice. Il was over the
ground only few hours ago; nothing
IAN have happened"
Vane made no reply and moving
Is quickly as they could, they ap-
the spot indicated by the ,
,apers. Suddenly Vane stopped.
I'm fool" he said, in hoarse G
weak, nervous fool. Wen
20 back, wait till tomorrow, get I
NO. no." said Ronald firmly We u
will go on and have look around at .
my rate, or you won't be able to
est" h
hey came in line with the tree and h
he point of the cliff. Suddenly he =
topped snatched the lantern from
ionald's hand, waved it aloft, then u
Uttered cry-a cry of rage. of de-
pair. T
Ronald sprang forward. Smithers
" his side, and Ronald echoed Vane's
Wild cry. For there where few n
ours ago had been plain, unbroken =,
were great holes and recently n
hrown-up mounds. Vane flung him "
elf forward and, on his knees be- a,
ide the holes. uttered a groan, then u
ose, and with his hands clenched n
t his sidt. stared yacantly before n
i'm. Ronald, kneeing. saw two rust g
aten iron chests lying at the bottom =
+ the holes; the lids were open, the m
oxes We're empty. the treasure had II,
one, "
Now, strangely enough. Vane was W
he calmest of the three; for even a,
whose quick intelligence .,
ad been at work for some time past, "a
Il