The Washington times., 1911-10-24

~ how l had been able to pur-
"A chase so undoubtedly valuable
bit of jewelry for 80 paltry a
sum recrrred perplexingly to me.
was In a maze. saw no way out.
One thing was certain. This queer
combination of circumstances would
enable me to release Doris Todd. That
must be my first and chief duty. Lat
er, could decided how to act In re.
gard to this incomprehensible laby-
rinth into which l had wandered
All these thoughts, conjectures and
resolves, which, through my ignor-
ance of fine writing, have taken SO
long to describe, flashed across my
brain almost simultaneously. Indeed.
hardly had the worthy Murena gain
ed his feet, after kneeling to offer me
the pin. when ] had resolved on my
Take me on your shoulders" or
signorina.
He picked up his torch, lighted 1t
!. Srg1A the candle, and stopped his
= may seem that had taken my
tlms about going to poor Miss Todd's
se1lne. but had not had not dar-
@ Eust Murena until my .knife,to-
ur9jhg him down the, water. filled
pos3kges at the top of his speed.
Around corners, through arches.
apd into transverse waterways ne
bsought us int9 little alcove with
. g0ft Of ledge at one side; -
On this ledge white figure stood;
and on either hand hand u,,Ids SPfawied ana
caught q glimpse Of Doris race be-
fore she saw US coming. 1t was white
as death and the mouth was tight set
Yet 1t bore no sign OF terror. OF finch
Those glorious great eyes Of hers
looked out on the black world before
her with the same old honest fearless
ness. -
And at the sight Of that splendii,
torches, against background OF dense
blackness. something went went wrong with with
Then our eyes met, hers ana mine,
andsI saw the color surge back to her
hs fafH lbs the sSe Sd tooK
step forward.
"oh" she called. and even across the
reach Of water sf diIt,nEu'sned q sae vo1as ana
ssTss sa at the sas afraid tReS
Her breath caught and she could not
go on. In all that horror 1t had been
for 'me she had feared. The revelation
sen sent the blood blood dancing 'diot'caiis
But saw 1t was my cue to end the
strain of the situation. For, though 1
knew nothing of women. yet any ten
year-old boy could have realized there
were tears in that silver voice. and
dreaded to see woman cry.
I suppose unexpected sight Of rescue
Behold a knight OF old dashing to
the rescue of the damsel In the dun
geoh" declaimed, foolishly enough, IN
English. .'I could wish for a Shower:
effect Is just as good. D'Auban to the
rescuer
Inane and ont of place as was my
blatant shout, it served its turn. The
swering laugh held no trace Of tears.
The two guides with Doris had sprung
to their feet in amazement at sight OF
us and looked angry inquiry at their
leader.
Mnrera raised his right hand before
HIS breast and made a rapid movement
Of the three middle fingers. At sight
Of the signal the two skunk back and
81 can't explain" I said to Doris. in
English, as they set me gently down on
the ledge beside her, but I must ask
you-for the present-not to speak to
our friends outside concerning this ad-
venture. Can you trust me so far as
to promise? don't know any good
rcason why you should trust me, after
the way 1 deserted you. Put won't
I feared she would refuse pointblank.
Yet were she to tell of the matter. what
good could be served? Her own father
apparently was q memeer OF the crEan-
cation that had harbored these three
rascals
II Investigation were made, she might
even come to learn her fathers share
ir the sn;ie,y and That cur H1ns he was od
! lid not relish the idea Of his dargh-
ter's grief at such discovery:
Besides from purely selfish stand
"a. oh a. mil
might be further possibilities OF interest
and service in the scarlet scarab.
Already the same scarab had set my
feet firmly in the long-so2ght highway
Had it not supplied me with mystery
with an adventure with brigands: with
q chance Of rescutng beauteous dam
sci in distress? What more delightful
romance in a single twenty-four hours
And I was adverse to ending the
affair just at the point where I was at
So IT. was with real relief that lis
tened to her somewhat wondering prom
, Use of silence.
Sens sSte sSs yet snSerstsRd ss W whas
sudden my guides turned in a different
direction from yours. Then they lifted
me to this ledge and sat down on the
sSsdn sSss e II AND ssFsR Of 9 tse So
stood there for about half an hour
till you came"
Half an hour! At the very least it
had been half a century.
AS the guides were carrying us to-
ward the entrance Of the grotto. she
went on:
"But now that I've promised not to
tell, don't you think you might let me
know what II was about?"
Just this" ] explained with cheerful
mendacity. I'VE lost track of each
other and your two guides set you down
in the most comfortable place they
could find in all this expense of dark
wetness and waited till Murena and
could hunt around and find you. That's
ALL"
II don't see anything In that to war
rant such a solemn pledge OF secrecy"
she retorted in Disappointment.
Perhaps" 1 answered, you think
I would enjoy being guyed by Billy
Gregg and scolded by Mr.. Todd, and
sneered at by Sebaste and Nine de
Touron for my abominable carelessness
In iosingstrack of your
'OhP' she said. and I thought her
voice betrayed a little note of dis
pleasure.
Just before we emerged from the
grotto to the clean, bright world above,
I whispered to Murena:
Until further orders. all despoiling
of travellers. in any way whatsoever,
at Solfatara, Is forbidden. There are
good reasons. which will appear later.
Pass the word along the line"