The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1916-08-03
TWEMTY-SEC0NO INSTALL
MENT
CHAPTER lxxvi.
The Treasure.

Deep within that chamber OF horrors
which before now had smitten the
souls OF both with terror, two persons
we're bending over In the light OF the
candles. which gave faint illumna-
ton.
1T is here" said Count Frederick,
glancing at the little compass which
he had brought with him. 1.-THE north
east lies there-it Ia yonder, where
sists yonder skeleton In the iron chair.
That was the last guard OF the king
What shall we do?" gasped Kitty
Gray. 81 dare not"
Nonsense, my dear. Fcar?-why
should we feel fear? Yonder friend of
ours has kept the place well and safe.
waiting so long-for u.s."
Kitty Gray, pale and disturbed, still
feeling a woman's terror at these grim
scenes about her, spoke with solemn.
ty In her tones. 'iIe was waiting for
liberty and Justice. Sir Frederick, "
said she. "He shall have them. We
will give all these Christian burial
shall we not?"
whatever you wish shall be done.
Raid Count Frederick. Yes, we will
take all these poor victims away 10
their last rest and let them lilo In
peace. shall seal up this cavern
here
But come" he said; and so laid q
hand on the grinning guest in the iron
chair. The bony frame was confined
upright by metal bands which support
ed 1t. He found the ancient chair
heavy to move. but applying his grea,
strength at length, gently as he could
he shifted II to one side On the flool
Of the chamber. formerly beneath the
iron chair. there showed dimly in thu
dust the outline OF q steel plate. al
iron ring welded to It's center. Coun
Frederick pointed. This is the place,
said he. with conviction. 1T wa,
guarded we'll See here--I doubt no
this is the lid which covers what is be
low"
Yet even his strength failed to re
move the covering. He found at las
a part OF an old bar, pushed 1t through
the ring and put his strength to It.
faint dust arose. the lid yielded slowly
and at last fell back with clang upoi
the rocky floor. At the edge OF thi
newly made aperture there showed
the edge OF another plate. close fit
ting.
1T runs farther" exclaimed Coun
Frederick "See-lOOk what ia be
low!"
Kitty. overcoming her terror. ben
forward with him to gaze down. Eyes
II Is here" said she. But look HOY
much there Isl"
Softly" said her companion. lie
US open this cavern more widely Her
II the grave OF giant treasure-I ha
not dreamed what really It was.'
Carefully he pushed in and unde
the edge Of the bar. removing plat
after plate Of that which had been tn
covering Of the treasure place. Belo,
this, they saw q cavity filled wit
steel receptacles. Each was locked
clamped and banded. tight against a
intrusion.
what Is here,' said Count FREQ
erick. Are we bafiied even at tn
lastf
Kitty Gray cast the rays OF he
light here and there about her In tn
cavernous interior. BY chance he
eyes rested-indeed were drawn, IA
cinated. to the skeleton which 50
bent forward In the iron chair. A du
CLEAN OF something like metal cauei
her eye.
Look. said she, and pointed. Their
fastened by a metal band to the wri
was a key--it was half hidden b
tween the bones Of the forearm.
Look" said Count Frederick, ar
held II up before her. "Cunnlr
enough was the man who hid tn
treasure. and yet he left II plain Z,
those he meant to find It,"
He stopped and tried the key in Il
lock OF the central chest OF tho
which lay below. The next nome
he had flung back the lid,
Their eyes rested upon what won
have made glad the heart OF any br
cancer. Gold, countless pieces
gold!
II was the lost treasure OF the kin
They stood, awed, spellbound a
looked down at what they saw.
But look yonder," said Kitty, plu'
ing at his sleeve-her hand h
grasped II comfortably for many n
ments now, for she took comfort
the touch even OF his clothing, I
presence OF the bulk OF his body ne
her. Look, Sir Frederick" said 81
what Is that in this chest below?
He bent over, casting down (
CLEANS Of his little light. What
saw was q long package Of fold