Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-19

troubles. Then I went up hand over
hand in desperate haste. and, having
got the rope between my knees again,
I hung, swinging. and steadied myself
to think. Either had missed the hole,
or Organ was mistaken; the rope was
not long enough. Perhaps It was be-
cause the first solution was the most
acceptable that believed It to be the
correct one. took courage and.
climbed upward, stretching my legs to
right and left searching for the hole.
I might have missed it even then had
not heard a sound that made me
listen intently. Yes; Il was distinct
from the kissing Of the water below
me, the murmur of a mans voice.
Was It above me In the dungeon I had
escaped from? II so, I had only to wait
few moments. I should feel the rope
jerked, or else it would be cut, and so
an end to me. hung. waiting. and
still in dull monotone the voice went
on. Suddenly a little below me and to
my left the rocky wall seemed to grow
luminous, Pickering light that shone
for a moment, then died, then shone
again.
els that a good way out Of lifer"
The voice sounded low, yet the
words were distinct. The light flicker
ed and then slowly went out. / low
cred myself to the level where It had
been and then. holding the rope with
one hand, worked my way along the
face OF the wall with the other.
made slow progress, but presently
grasped the side Of the slip. Cautiously
felt for the door of 1t with my foot
After some minutes / succeeded in
finding It, but IT was, II anything, at
a sharper angle than the slip from my
dungeon. How to get a footing upon
1t was a matter for consideration. As
IL was, I had to hold on TO the side of
the slip to prevent the rope swinging
back with me, for instead of being
directly under my dungeon. as O'Ryan
had led me to suppose, this opening
was a good ten feet to one side OF
it Fortunately the walls of 1t were
rough hewn. and, clinging to the rope
with my knees and feet, naged to
drag myself inward with o. hands,
my nails and fingers suffering In the
operation. BY letting the rope slide
between my knees gradually as 1 ad-
vanced brought myself to the floor
some feet from the edge Of the slip.
/ chose the spot and then dropped
forward on my hands and kne es The
released rope swung back and was
gone. There was no return now. I
had dropped very cautiously, and all
my energy had been conferred on what
/ was doing. Now / was aware that
above me. at the top of the steep as
cent, there was a light Organ had
not deceived me. The trap In the dun
geon was open
There was a pillar I'm the middle OF
the dungeon, supporting the low vault
ed roof, and in a ring I'm the pillar
torch was fixed. A breeze from the
open trap caught the fame, making
IT flicker weirdly and cast strange
shadows. On a couch at the foot of
the pillar sat Darla, her hands clasped
IN her lap. She hardly seemed TO
listen to Vasca, who was standing
close to her. talking rapidly.
II have been ambitious. I have de-
ceived you. / crave your pardon
have not done 1t for myself alone.
have done IL for you. Ny love has
spurred me on. They would make me
king. II has been your ambition 20
reign in Yadasara. Now your ambi-
tion may be realized"
You are not a king"
Tonight; no, tomorrow He broke
or excttedly. Say that you viii be
queen Of Yadasara, my queen, and
now. this instant. this dungeon door
Is open to you In a few hours you
shall have the nation at your feet
craving your favors. Your word shall
bring death or grant life. Your win
shall be law in DrusseDland and he
who speaks the humblest yet the hap
piest of your slaves"
"A pleasing prospect most easily
spoken Of"
at is true. Tomorrow at this time
shall be king. The last obstacle Is