The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-13

ranean sluice under Bianea'S house, which was very ancient and had been a country home before the advance of the encroaching city enmeshed it in it's tentacles, together with the other scat tered residences of the street. This water-duet had long ago become dis used, and it's existence forgotten. Bi- anca, in the course of the recOnstrue- tions which she had made, for the pur- pose of storing stolen goods, had come upon it and followed it down to the river, half a mile distant. She had dis covered also that there still existed connection with the city water supply by means of large pipe in the wall of her cellar.
 She had fitted a connection between this pipe and a bathroom on the floor where was her bedroom. Just outside the bathroom she constructed a trap door with an iron ladder leading down to the sluice, in order to furnish herself with q safe and sure escape in case of need.
 The switch iE the bathroom was open, leaving the sluice full. But a turn of it would at once begin to empty it into the river beyond. Blanca waited near the trap door for the accomplishment of her servi- | tors errand.
 But presently she found the strain boudoir and sank down upon a couch.
 Bring her down." said one of Bi- anca's men to the other. T guess madame doesn't want it done in the bedroom"
 Who's going to do the trick?' the other retorted.
 ''I'll do it if you'll get her Bring her along this way. without letting her suspect, and I'll be behind this cur l tain"
 The second man made his way up- stairs. He unlocked Leontines door and stood for a moment hesitating.
 As he stood there an arm slid round 1 his neck and a hand was pressed over his mouth and nostrils, his knees gave under him and he fell unconscious to the floor.
 Rayengar released him and looked into her purple face. He opened the door. Leontine, who had heard the lock unfasten, was waiting in the middle of the room. Ravengar entered, seized her hand, and kissed it.
 Come with me, Leontine," he said There is not a moment to be lost 1 VIII fa nd and do exactly as I tell youf"
 She gave a swift look at him, and nodded. Ravengar gave her his arm | and led her out of the room, past the man on the floor, who was already beginning to recover consciousness
 He led her down the stairs hurried ly. Fortunately nobody was on guard In her boudoir Blanca, whose keer ears heard the sound of footsteps thought it was the men coming to tel her that the job was done.
 Meanwhile the second of the mur derers waited behind the curtains. Ht heard Ravengar descending with Leon tine, but he thought the man was his confederate.
 | Rayengar, in his comings and goings had learned all about the sluiceway He stopped with Leontine outside tht bathroom and hastily raised the trap | door, which lay beneath a piece o1 carpet, apparently one with that whicf ran along the passage, but in reality separate.
 "Go down there" he whispered. II leads to a sluiceway that opens upoI the river. When you reach the bot tom wait till the sluice empties; theI run as fast as you can till you set daylight Then you will be free.'
 Leontine looked at him. "You?" sht whispered.
 q shall turn off the water; then may follow. But don't wait for me-"
 The girl stepped down hurriedly felt for and found the upper rungs ol the ladder, and descended. Ravengal closed it, stepped into the bathroom and shut off the supply. Then h' emerged, just as the second confeder ate came from behind the curtain. 1 His mouth opened in amazement then, with aa oath, he whipped out ; revolver and leveled it. Ravengar smiling at him, waited. At that in stant the half-strangled man cam, slowly down the stairway. He sav Ravengar and shouted. At the CT. Blanca came running out of her room
 She stared at Ravengar as if sh, could not believe her eyes. Then, let ting them fall for moment, she sav something which arrested her atten ton. It was a fragment of Leontinei dress, caught in the trap door. Ant immediately the meaning of his pres ence there dawned on her.
 She rushed into the bathroom anC pulled the switch hard. Then sh, came back, breathing hard, but with { forced smile on her face.
 Well, stopped that game in time, she said to Ravengar.
 Leontine groped her way to the bot