Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-08-30

y. disclosing black cavernous open
sug.
In with YOU painted Labertouche,
removing the lever. Don't delay"
Amber did not, He took with him q
hazy impression Of vast vaulted hall
allied with rudy glsre Of torchught.
o ravlng rahhle Of gorgeously aitired
natives in It's center. Then the open.
ing received him and he found himself
in black hole OF an underground
gallery--a place that reeked with the
dauk doors OF the tomb.
Lahertouche followed and with the
aid OF small electric pocket lamp dis
covered another socket for the lever.
A moment later the slab moved back
into place. Iabertouche chuckled.
"come along he said, and drew ahead
at a dog-trot
They sped down a passage that
delyed NJ a sharp grade through solid
rock Now and again # turned and
struck away in another direction.
Once they descended-or rather fell
dewn--a short. steep fight OF steps.
At the bottom Amber stopped.
Hold onl" he cried
Labertouche pulled up impatiently.
whats the matter?"
Sophia
f;Trust me, dear boy. and come
along"
II was some time later that Iaber.
touche extinguished his lamp and
threw low word OF warning over
his shoulder. spontaneously Amber
discerned, far ahead. faint glow OF
yellow light. AS they bore down upon
II with unmoderated speed he could
see that II emanated from n rough
hewn doorway, opening of the pas.
/ sage.
! Labertouche pushed Amber on
ahead STOPPING, the Virginian en-
/ tered a small. rude chamber followed
out of the rock of Katiapur A crude
lamp In bracket furnished all It's illu-
mination, filling IT with reek OF hot
oil. AMber was vaguely aware OF the
figures OF two women-one standing
in corner, the other seated detected
fy upon a charpoy. her head against
Che wall. AS he lifted his head after
passing under the low Intel, the WON
an In the corner fred at him point
blank.
The virginian 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 upor her In
stautly. There was a moment OF furl
ous struggle, while the cell echoed
With the reverberations OF the shot
and the screaming OF the woman on
che cbarpoy, The pistol exploded again
as lie grappled with the would-be muir
deress; the bullet, passing M his
sleeve, creased his left arm as with n
white hot iron, and tore out through
| the cloth on his shoulder He twisted
brutality the wrist that held the weap-
on, and the woman dropped Il with a
cry Of pain.
"You would" he cried, and threw
her from him. putting a foot upon the
pistol or
She reeled back against the wall and
crouched there, trembling. her cheeks
on fire, her eyes aflame with rage
"Yon dog!" she shrilled In Hindi--and
spat at him like 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
unguarded and tho woman swooped
down upon it Ike a bird Of prey; but
before she could get her fingers on It's
grip. Labertouche stepped between
them, Tended her OF, and quietly pos
sessed himself Of the weapon.
Your pardon. madam" he said,
grevely.
Naraini retreated, 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 un
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 belleve--a stronger emotion
'You-you're not hurt. Mr.. Amberr'
mot at all. The bullet went out
through my sleeve. And your" He
dropped on his knees, with his pocket
knife severing the ends of rope that
bound her
I'm all right" She took his hands,
helping herself to rise. Thank you.-
she said. her eyes shining, a flush OF
color suffusing her face with glory
did you cut those ropes. AmberT
Labertouche interposed CURLY.
YES. Why?"
The Engiishman explained without
turning from hts sombre and morose
regard of Naraini "Too bad-well
have to tie this woman up, somehow.
She's complication hadn't foreseen.
:. Here; you'd better leave me
- a. A r..