The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-10-19

ly, disclosing a black cavernous open
ing.
''In with you" painted Labertouche,
removing the lever. Don't delay"
Amber did not. He took with him a
hazy impression of vast, vaulted hall
filled with a rudy glare Of torchlight,
a raving rabble Of gorgeously attired
natives in its center. Then the open
Ing received him and he found himself
in a black hole Of an underground
gallery-a place that reeked with the
dank doors Of the tomb.
LabertOuche followed and with the
aid Of a 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 a sharp grade through solid
rock. Now and again it turned and
struck away in another direction
Once they descended rather fell
down-a short, steep flight Of steps.
At the bottom Amber stopped.
Hold on" he cried.
Labcrtouche pulled up impatently
What's the matter?"
"Sophia-!"
Trust me, dear boy, and come
along"
1t was some time later that Laber,
touche extlnguished his lamp aud
threw a low word Of warning over
his shoulder. Spontaneously Amber
discerncd, far ahead. a faint glow Of
yellow light. As they bore down unon
It with unmoderated speed he could
see that it emanated from a rough.
hewn doorway, opening off the pas
sage.
Labertouche pushed Amber on
ahead. STOPPING the Virginian on.
tered 4 small, rude chamber followed
out Of the rock Of Katiapur A crude
lamp in a bracket furnished all its illu-
minatiOn. filing it with a reek Of hot
oil. Amber was vaguely aware of the
figures Of two women-one standing
in a corner, the other seated detected,
" 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 Nirginian saw the jet OF fame
squirt from her hand and felt the bull.
let's impact upon the wall behind his
head. He flung himself upon her in.
stantlv. There was q moment Of furi.
Gus struggle, while the cell echoed
with the reverbcrations 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 a
white-hot iron, and tore out through
the cloth on his shoulder He twisted
brutality the wrist that held the wcap-
on, and the woman dropped It with
cry Of pain.
You would" he cried. and threw
her from him, putting a foot upon the
pistol
She recIed back against tho wal and
crouched there, trembling, her checks
on fire, her eyes aname with rage
You dog She shrilled in Hiudi-and
spat at him like a maddened cat. Then
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 pistol
unguardel, 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,
eravely.
Naraini reiterated, 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 IN,
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 belieye-a stronger emotion.
"You-you're not hurt, Mr.. AMBER"