Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-10-04

removing the lever. Don't delay"
Amber did not He took with him
hazy impression of vast, vaulted hal
filed with rudy glare Of torchnght
raving rabble Of gorgeously aitire6
p-stives in its center. Then the open.
ing received him and he found himself
IN black hole OF an underground
galIery-a place that reeked with the
dank doors of the tomb.
Labertouche followed and with the
aid Of small electric pocket lamp dis
covered another socket for the lever
A moment later the slab moved back
into place. Labertouche chuekled.
Come along" he said. and drew ahead
at dog-trot
They sped down a passage that
delved at sharp grade through solid
rock Now and again it turned and
struck away in another direction.
Once they descended-or rather fell
down-a short. steep fight of steps.
At the bottom Amber stopped.
Hold ont" he cried.
Labertouche pulled up inpatiently.
What's the matter?"
Sophia"
Trust me, dear boy. and come
along"
II wa some time later that Laber-
touche extinguished his lamp and
threw a low word OF warning over
his shoulder spontaneously Amber
discerned, far ahead. faint glcw Of
yellow light. AS they bore down upon
1t with unmoderated speed he could
see that it emanated from rough.
hewn doorway, opening OF the pas.
sage.
Labertouche pushed Amber on
ahead. STOPPING. the virginian en-.
tered small, rude chamber followed
out OF the rock Of Katiapur A crude
lamp in a bracket furnished all its illu.
mination, filing It with reek of hot
oil. Amber was vaguely aware Of the
figures Of two women--one standing
IL a corner. the other seated detected
ly upon a charpoy. her head against
the wall. AS he lifted his head after
passing under the low Intel. the WON
an In the corner fred at him point
blank.
The virginian saw the Jet of flame
squirt from her hand and felt the bull
let's impact upon the wall behind his
head. He flung himself upon her in
stantly. There was moment of furi
Gus struggle, while the cell echoed
with the reverberations OF the shot
orJ &ba -~~oornfnr 80 fb1 x.zovoap or
the charpoy. The pistol exploded again
as he grappled with the would-be muir
deress; the bullet, passing up his
sleeve, creased his left arm as with 8
white-hot iron, and tore out through
the cloth on his shoulder He twisted
tally the wrist that held the weap
d, and the woman dropped it with 8
cry of pain.
'You would" he cried, and threw
her from Aim. putting foot upon the
pistol.
She reeled back against the wall and
cronched there. trembling. her cheek,
on fire, her eyes aflame with rage
you dogn' she shrilled in Hindi-and
spat at him like maddened cat. Their
he recognized her.
'Naraini!" He stepped back In his
surprise, his right hand seeking in
stinctively the wrist of HIS left, which
was numb with pain.
Hls change of position left the pisto
unguarded, and the woman swooped
down upon 1t like bird of prey; but
before she could get her fingers on, its
grip. Labertouche stepped between
them, Tended her off, and quietly pos
sessed himself of the weapon.
Your pardon. madam" he said
gravely.
Naraini retreated, shaking with fury
and Amber employed the respite tc
recognize Sophia Farrell in the woman
on the charpoy She was still seated
prevented from rising by bonds about
her wrists and ankles. and though un
naturally pale, her anguish of fear and
despair had set its marks upon her
face without one whit detracting from
tbs appeal of her beauty. He went tc
her Immediately. and as their eyes
met, hers famed with joy, relief and
he dared believe-a stronger emotion
"You--you're not hurt. Mr. Amber?'
Not at ALL The bullet went out
through my sleeve. And your He
dropped on his knees. with his pocket
knife seYering 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, a flush OF
color suffusing her face with glory.
did You cut those ropes, Amber?'
Labertouche interposed CURLY.
Eyes. why?"
The Englishman explained without
turning from his sombre and morose
regard of Naraini. TOO bad-we1l
have to tie this woman up, somehow.
She's complication hadn't fores cen.
Here; you'd better leave me
to attend to her-you and Miss Farrell.
Go on down the gallery-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, thoughtiess
But Sophia Farrell heard. saw and sur.
missed
mol" she cried, going swiftly to the
secret agent. mol" She put hand
upon his arm, but he shook it of.
Ibid you hear me. AMBER" said La
bertouche, still watching the queen.
what do you mean to do?" insist
ed Sophia. you can't-you mustn TO-"