The Raymer enterprise., 1911-11-09
,, disclosing . black cavernous open.

ly, disclosing a black cavernous open.
ing.
TN with you," painted Labertouche.
removing the lever. Don't delay"
Amber did not He took with him a
hazy impression OF a vast, vaulted hall
filled with ruddy glare Of torchlight,
raving rabble of gorgeously attired
natives in its center. Then the open.
ing received him and he found himself
In black hole Of an underground
gallery-a place that reeked with the
dank odors 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 chuckled.
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 1t turned and
struck away In another direction.
Once they descended-or rather fell
down-a short. steep flight of steps.
At the bottom Amber stopped.
Hold on!" he cried.
Labertouche pulled up. impatiently.
Whats the matter?"
Sophia"
Trust me. dear boy. and come
along"
1t was some time later that Laber.
touche extinguished his lamp and
threw low word of warning over
his shoulder. synchronously Amber
discerned, far ahead. faint glow Of
yellow light. AS they bore down upon
1t with unmoderated speed he could
see that 1t emanated from a 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. filling 1t with reek Of hot
oil. Amber was vaguely aware of the
figures Of two women--one standing
in corner. the other seated detected.
ly upon 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 vlrginian saw the Jet Of flame
squirt from her hand and felt the bul.
let's impact upon the wall behind his
head. He flung himself upon her in.
stantly. There was moment of furi.
ous struggle. while the cell echoed
with the reverberations Of the shot
and the screaming OF the woman on
the charpoy. The pistol exploded again
as he grappled with the wouldbe mur.
deress: the bullet. passing up his
sleeve. creased his left arm as with a
wbite-hot iron, and tore out through
the cloth on his shoulder. He twisted
brutally the wrist that held the weap.
on. and the woman dropped 1t with a
cry OF pain.
You would" he cried, and threw
her from him. putting foot upon the
pistol.
She reeled back against the wall and
crouched there, trembling, her cheeks
on fire. her eyes aflame with rage.
You dog!" she shrilled in Hindl-and
spat at him like a maddened cat Then
he recognized her.
"Nsraini!" He stepped back in his
surprise, his right hand seeking in.
stinctively the wrist of his left, which
was numb with pain.
His change Of position left tho pistol
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.
Narainl retreated. shaking with fury.
and Amber employed the respite to
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
the appeal Of her beauty. He went to
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?"
mot at all. The bullet went out
through my sleeve. And you?" He
dropped on his knees, with his pocket.
knife severing 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, n flush OF
color suffusing her face with glory.
"Dld you cut those ropes. Amber?"
Labertouche interposed curtly.
"Yes. Why?"
The Englishman explained without
turning from his sombre and morose
regard OF Naraini. TOO bad--we'll
have To tie this woman nm. somehow.