New-York tribune., 1912-02-04

come TO some arrangement. You have
twenty-five troopers with you. My wolves
wonder will make their fangS meet in some
Of YOUR throatS. And then it will be very
unpleasant to the sisters here.
Lcpaul blew a fragrant cloud to the cell
ing. -
@At any rate YOU might offer me a cigar.
The Prussian flung his case upon the
table.
"NIanv thanks will smoke it later on.
| see that YOU are adamant, and YOU torce
me to be SO. beg, therefore, that YOU Will
conduct me secretly to this chapel ~
The other turned his cigar in his fingers
mcditativcly.
PRAY, do not delay, Prince. My revolver
has a way Of going off without asking my
permission.
The Commandant took a step toward the
door. then stopped There is a secret en-
trance. said he curtlv. He wrcnchcd the
bed from its position and pushed back a
panel. rotten and wormcatcn. From the
black aperture thus revealed came a flood OF
chilling, unwholcsomc air.
You have Your choice. SAID he III YOU
leave by the door, you will find one OF my
men stationed at the foot of the STAIRS. You
will encounter no interruption TINS way.
81 accept your word. No, ! Will take the
lamp. Go first, and move very slowly.
A T. once Dagobcrt found himself on mar
"A row flight Of wooden stairs, terribly
gnawcl bv rats; but neither those sharp
teeth nor TWO centuries Of dampncSs had de
,troycd the wood which was seasoned OAK,
black and hard almost as iron.
The ,traigh, flight ceased where a passage
with q prolonged slope led into the black
ness The air was 50 bad that the lamp
burned lpW and seemed to bc Surmountcd
bv a polorcd arc. CHANGING to right and LETT
the Count passed four quadranguIar open
ings. TWO on each side in the walls about a
foot SQUARE covered with an iron mesh.
And he heard the rats run and squeak IN
those un,cnau,cd cells, OF prisons, without
light, almost without air
The corridor terminated in large, square
vault. with its sides furroWcd with broad,
deep ui,hc-. And in most ui these inches,
thcsc shelves ot stone, rested the lcadcn
tombs OF loug-pcrishcd sisters, cnScpulchcrcd
there when the convent had the night to bury
its dead. in this great vault behind the altar
Dagobcrt shiycrcd. He was afraid OF this
charnclhousc Of silent women, Of women who
still kept vigil, with patient hands folded,
immovablc as the stone, waiting, IN that
dumb alteration, in that terrible wrcckage.
Suddenly he felt his hair stir on his head;
a cold dew started from his pores.
"Moihcy Of pity. the prayers Of hc 'rorid
plead for Thy mpdNion
Mon DieM what is that" muttcrcd the
Count. -.
The Prussan had already opened a small
iron door at the opposite side OF the vault
into which crcpt a glcam Of light that did not
come from the smoky lantern. He pressed
forward. anxious for light and air.
"Hush." whispered the Commlndant,
holding up his right hand. He was looking at
a spectacle that filled him with amazcmcnt.
ITO 90 back an hour The wounded
Frcnchman lay on a mattress on the
stone floor Of the chapel. which was lighted
by four tapcrS that burned upon the high
altar with wavcring spires Of flame. To and
fro, To and fro. he rocked his body, making
little moan with each movement.
Suddenly his breathing almost ceased.
IL. L..t,j .,.,.. J;I,,,J. he made an effort