Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-03-31
TWENTY.SEC0ND INSTALL.
MENT
CHAPTER Lxxvl.
The Treasure.

The Treasure.
Deep within that chamber of horrors
which before now had smitten the
souls Of both with terror, two persons
were bending over in the light of the
candles, which gave faint illumina-
ton.
1T is here" said Count Frederick,
glancing at the little compass which
he had brought with him. The north
east lies there-it Is 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. Fear?-why
should we feel fear? Yonder friend of
ours has kept the place well and safe
ly-seated there in his iron chair
waiting so long-for u.s.
Kitty Gray, pale and disturbed, still
feeling womans terror at these grim
scenes about her, spoke with solemn
ty in her tones. He 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
said Count Frederick. Eyes, we will
take all these poor victims away to
their last rest and let them lie in
peace. shall seal up this cavern
here"
But come" he said; and so laid
hand on the grinning guest in the iron
chair The bony frame was confined
upright by metal bands which support
ed it. He found the ancient chair
heavy to move, but applying his great
strength, at length, gently as he could,
he shifted it to one side. On the floor
Of the chamber, formerly beneath the
iron chair, there showed dimly in the
dust the outline of steel plate an
iron ring welded to its center. Count
Frederick pointed This is the place,
said he, with conviction 1t was
guarded well. See here-I doubt not
this is the lid which covers what is be-
low
Yet even his strength failed to re.
move the covering He found at last
a part of an old bar pushed it through
the ring and put his strength to it.
faint dust arose, the lid yielded slowly,
and at last fell back with a clang upon
the rocky floor At the edge Of this
newly made aperture there showed
the edge of another plate, close fit
ting
1T runs farther" exclaimed Count
Frederick "See-look what is be-
low"
Kitty. overcoming her terror bent
forward with him to gaze down Yes,
It is here" said she. But look how
much there isl
softly" said her companion Let
US open this cavern more widely. Here
is the grave of giant treasure-I had
not dreamed what really it was
Carefully he pushed in and under
the edge OF the bar. removing plate
after plate of that which had been the
covering of the treasure place Below
this, they saw cavity filled with
steel receptacles Each was locked
clamped and banded, tight against all
intrusion.
What is here?' said Count Fred.
erick. Are we baffled even at the
last?'
Kitty Gray cast the rays Of her
light here and there about her in the
cavernous interior. BY chance her
eyes rested-indeed were drawn, fas
cinated, to the skeleton which sat
bent forward in the iron chair A dull
CLEAN of something like metal caught
her eye.
Look" said she, and pointed. There,
fastened by metal band TO the wrist
was a key-it was half hidden be-
tween the bones of the forearm.
Look" said Count Frederick, and
held it up before her. Cunning
enough was the man who hid this
treasure, and vet he left it plain for
those he meant to find it"
He stopped and tried the key in the
lock of the central chest of those
which lay below. The next moment
he had flung back the lid
Their eyes rested upon what would
have made glad the heart of any buc-
cancer. Gold, countless pieces Of
gold!
1t was the lost treasure Of the king!
They stood, awed, spellbound and
looked down at what they saw.
But look yonder," said Kitty, pluck
ing at his sleeve-her hand had
grasped 1t comfortably for many mo-
ments now, for she took comfort in
the touch even of his clothing, the
presence of the bulk of his body near
her. Look, Sir Frederick" said she,
what is that in this chest below"
He bent over, casting down the
CLEANS of his little light. What he
saw was q long package Of folded
parchments thrust down at the side
of the chest. Gently he drew It out
and held 1t in his hands for a moment
regarding 1t curiously.
Il shall not open til" said he. with
you, ! feel a certain fear. / believe
here is something come down to us
out Of the past-some message from
the king. If this be SO, it belongs not
to me, but to the people. 1t must go
before their duly constituted rulers"
CHAPTER LxxVIl.