The Spectator., 1916-04-07
TWENTY-SECOND 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 a faint illumina- tion.
 Tt 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 wonder skeleton in the iron chair! That was the last guard of the king"
 What shall we do?" gasped Kitty Gray. T dare not"
 Nonsense! my dear. Fear?-why should we feel fear? Wonder friend of ours has kept the place well and safe ly-seated there in his iron chair waiting so long-for us!"
 Kitty Gray, pale and disturbed, still feeling woman's terror at these grim scenes about her, spoke with solemni- 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. "Yes, we will take all these poor victims away to their last rest and let them lie in peace. I 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 a steel plate, an iron ring welded to it's center. Count Frederick pointed. This is the place" said he, with conviction. Tt 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 part of an old bar, pushed it through the ring and put his strength to it. A 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.
 Tt runs farther" exclaimed Count Frederick. "See-look what is be- low!"
 Kitty overcoming her terror. bent forward with him to gaze down. "Yes, 1t is here" said she But look how much there is!'
 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 a 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 gleam of something like metal caught her eye.
 Look" said she, and pointed. There, fastened by metal band to the wrist was 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 yet he left it plain for those he meant to find it."
 He stopped and tried the key in the lock of tho 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!
 It was the lost treasure of the king!
 They stood, awed, spellbound and looked down at what they saw.
 ''But look wonder" said Kitty. pluck ing at his sleeve-her hand had grasped it comfortably fary to mo- ments now, for she took Tt in the touch even of his clota Lg, 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 Eieams of his little light. What he raw was long package of folded