Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-09-06

q socket as one familiar with the
trick, he put his weight upon Il. a
carved sandstone slab slid back silent.
". disclosing a black cavernous open.
Ing.
in with you painted LAbortouehe.
removing the lever Don't delay"
Amber aid not He took with him a
hazy impression Of vast vaulted hall
filed with a rudy glare OF torchnght.
4 raving rsbhle OF gorgeously attircd
natives In ifs center Then the open.
ing received him and he found himself
in a black hole OF an underground
gallery place that reekeA with the
dank doors Of the tomb
I.ahertouohe 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 f.eberiouche chuckled,
Come along" no said, and drew ahead
at a dog.trot.
They sped down passage that
delysd at sharp grade through solid
rock. Now and again Il turned and
struck away In another direction
Once they desoended-or rather feil
down--a short. steep aisht OF steps
At tho bottom Amber stopped.
Hold ont" he cried
Labertouohe pulled up impatlently,
whats the natter"
Sophia"
Trust me. dear boy, and come
along"
II was some time later that Iaber.
touche extinguished his lamp and
threw low word Of warming over
his shoulder spontaneously Amber
discerned, far ahead. q faint glow OF
yellow light. As they bore down upon
1t with unmoderated speed he could
see that II emanated from 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 Kstlapnr A crude
lamp in n bracket furnished all its illu.
mlnation, filling II with a reek OF hot
oil Amber was vaguely aware OF tho
figures Of two women--one standing
In corner. the other seated detected.
ly upon a charpoy, her head against
the wall. As he lifted HIS head after
passing under the low intel the wom-
an In the corner fired at him point
blank.
The Virginlan saw the Jet OF fame
squirt from her hand and felt the bull
let's impact upon the VAN behind his
head. He flung himself upos her In.
stantly. There was a moment OF furi-
Gus struggle. while the cell echoed
with the reYerberations of the shot
and the screaming OF tho woman on
the charpoy. The pistol exploded again
as he grappled with the wouldbe muir
deress; the bullet, passing up his
sleeve, creased bis left arm az with q
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 II with a
cry of pain.
"You would" he cried, and threw
her from him, putting a foot upon the
pistol
She reeled back against the wall and
erouched there, trembling. her checks
on fire, her eyes afiama with rage.
you dogi" she shrilled in Hindu and
spat at him like a maddened cot. 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 the woman swooped
down upon it like a bird Of prey; but
before she could get her fingers on It's
grip. Labertouche stepped between
them. Tended n-r uft. and Quietly pos
ssssed hlmseir OF the weapon.
Your pardon, madam" he said
gravely.
Naraihi reiterated. shaking with fury,
and Amber employed the respite to
recognize Sophia Farrell in the woman
on the charpoy. She was still seated
PAS' 0aAAtA iAOiA EAGtlE Lf bbitNt dbVaA
her wrists and ankles, and though un
naturally pale, her anguish OF fear and
despair had set It's marks upon her
face without one whit detracting from
the appeal of her beauty. lie went to
her Immediately, and az their eyer
met, hers famed with JOY, relief and
he dared beHeye--a stronger emotion
''You-you're not hurt, Mr. AmberF
mot at all The bullet went on,
through my sleeve. And your" He
dropped on his knees. with his pocket
knife severlng 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 ol
color suffusing her face with glory
ibid you cut those ropes, AMBER
Labertouche interposed CURLY.
Eyes. Why"
The Fnglfshman pxDlained without