The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-09-28
', disclosing black o~vernouA opss

~, disclosing black cAvernous opep
ing.
I'm with you.' painted Labertouchs
removing the lever. Don't deny"
Amber did not. He took with him q
hazy impression of q vast. vaulted hall
filled with rudy glare of torchlight
raving rabble of gorgeously attired
natives In its center. Then the open.
ing received him and be found himself
In black hole Of an underground
gallery-a place that reeked with the
dank odors of the tomb.
Labertouche followed and with tho
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 descendsd-or rather fell
down-a short, steep flight Of steps
At the bottom Amber stopped.
Hold on!" he cried.
Labertouche pulled up impatiently.
What's the matter?"
"Sophia-!"
Trust me, dear boy. and come
along"
II was 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 glow Of
yellow light As they bore down upon
1t with unmoderated speed he could
see that 1t 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 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 nltel, the WON.
an In the corner fired 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 a moment Of furi'
| Gus 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 would-be muir
deress; the bullet, passing up his
sleeve, creased his left arm as with Q
white-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 .
cry of pain.
"You would" he cried, and threw
her from him, putting foot upon the
pistol.
|
crouched there, trembling. her cheek.
| on fire, her eyes af1ame with rage
"You dog" 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.
His change of position left the pistoi
unguarded, and the woman swooped
down upon It like a bird Of prey; but
before she could get her fingers on Its
grip, Labertouche stepped between
them, Tended her OF. 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 I'm
naturally pale, her anguish Of fear and
despair had set its marks upon hel
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 ?
Not 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 thai
bound her.
I'm all right" She took his hands
helping herself to rise. Thank you.
she said, her eyes shining, flush Of
color suffusing her face with glory.
did you cut those ropes. AMBER
Labertouche interposed CURLY.
"Yes. Why"
The Englishman explained without
turning from his sombre and morose
! regard of Naraini. "Too bad-wel
have to tie this woman up. somehow
She's a complication ! hadn't foreseen
l.. Here; you'd better leave me
to attend TO her--you and Miss Farrell
Go on down the gallery--to the left
III catch up with you"
The pistol which he still held LEM
to his demand a sinister Significance
| 30 ub;,b he vor parhaps fhouphtie