The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-13

| almost swept her off her feet. Blanca | had thrown over the lever. l Leontine guessed what had occurred. I There ought to be time to gain the | entrance.
 The water was up to her waist. She almost despaired. A hundred yards to go, and every yard was made through | deeper water. It swirled against her chest it was up to her shoulders; 1t | touched her chin. l Gasping, choking, struggling for life, 1 Leontine suddenly became aware that she had been swept through the tun- nel; a moment later she opened her eyes, to find herself cast upon the mud dy bank of the river.
 
 Ravengar had disappeared once more
 AS Blanca ran back triumphantly | from the bathroom, in which she had pressed the switch, she saw the two men staring about them in astonish- ment.
 Blanca stamped her foot furiously. ''Where is he?" she demanded.
 Hes gone" muttered one of the men in awe-struck tones. | Down the trap-door you fooll Go down and bring him up. You" she l continued to the second man, stand 1 at the top of the stairs and see that he doesn't pass you. I'm going to search the rooms" | Suddenly the man on guard at the head of the stairs screamed loudly, and Blanca came running out of one of the rooms. He cried again and pointed toward the bathroom. Blanca saw the head and shoulders of Raven ger as he leaned over the switch. She darted after him. The switch had been reversed.
 She sprang at him. but he laughed and, catching her by the shoulders, pushed her back into the passage, slamming the door upon her. Every second was precious now.
 That was the moment when Leon- tine in the tunnel, was suddenly swept from her feet and carried out into the daylight.
 Blanca raved and hammered at the door. For the second time he had | thwartod her. She felt her love for him turn into deadly hatred.
 "Open that door!" she called to her subordinates and just then the head and shoulders of the man whom she had sent below emerged through the trap door.
 He isn't down there, and the sluice is full of water" he said lugubriously.
 Fool" shouted Blanca, Ines in the bathroom. Open that door Break it down, the pair of you!" There was a key in the door. but it was on the outside, and Rayengar could not turn it. The two men dashed themselves against it. Their united strength was too great for Raw engar. They forced him back. still
 struggling desperately, and dragged him from the room. Hold him on your livesl !" said Bi- anca, and, entering the bathroom, threw the switch over the second time.
 It was too late. Leontine had recov- cred consciousness and staggered away just as the renewed flood began to . | pour through lHe tunnel.
 Blanca darted back. "Now we've got him." she cried. "We1l put him where he won't be able to play any more of those tricks upon us." "Back into the strong room," asked the first man.
 Shall I croak him?' inquired the second.
 l o+ ded. The second man raised his re- volver and aimed it at Rayengar's head; however, he waited upon the sign from his mistress before pulling the trigger. , Blanca hesitated, too. She watched Ravengar's face like a cat watching it's prey. At the least sign of fear she : would have nodded to the man who held the revolver; but Ravengar only smiled at her. She felt overawed the
 mans moral power was something : that she had never encountered be- fore.
 'Why don't you get away now?" she demanded tauntingly. You seem able
 to go where you want to. Are you
 tired of your life or what?"
 Dear madame" answered Raven gar easily, did not come back to you of my own free will? I must say that this reception is the reverse of hos pitable."
 The mockery upon his face daunted ? her. If he were dead he would die tri- umphant, his will would have cons quered.
 "Stop!" she cried; and the men low cred their revolvers.
 They stepped back, growing; their mistress whims were inexplicable to them.
 Ravengar bent down and kissed Bi-
 ancas hand. .I knew that you were = too l-ina tn l-ill Q holr,loSs ,,r.iSnr,or