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CHAPTER XVIII.
MBEZZONI UNMABKED.

To intreducing real personages aud actual events, an
author feels some delicacy as to giving names; and he
should do se. Still the well Known visit of Mr. Bush, of
Seotland Yard, London, to Naples in 1871, and the com-
plete success with which he crowned that remarkable ex-

rience, need give no Cause for reticence in relation to
his name. That famous officer and detective has too wide
spread a distinction in his arduous profession not to be
Known among the police of all nations.

Tie famous discovery of the secret vault, and the
prompt recoyery of nearly the whole of the property
stelen from the store of Woolf & Co., in the Strada St.
@arlo, were solely due to his personal skill and perse-
yerance, and would alone have made the reputation of
any detective. Highly accredited, he was received by the
Yosal authorities with kindness and respect, and afforded
faeilities which had never before been accorded to any
foreigner by the Neapolitans. No spirit of jealousy was

rmitted to interfere in the least with his operations, and
ce met With no opposition from any source on that score.

in his report to the home.departiment, Mr. Bush especi-
aly refers to these agreeable facts.

Partly in recognition of this courtesy, and also for reasons
which will ulthnately appear, Mr. Bust held a consultation with
the heads of the local police of the city, and proposed to lead an
expedition which should break up the headquarters of the
famous brigands who were under theleadeorship of Mezzoni. He
had obtained such elaborate information from Walter Hammond
as to make him very confident of sucoess; such knowledge had
never before been in the possession of the authorities, and he
had great faith that with a proper co-operation, he could ferret
out this national pest and possibly seeure the person of the lead-
ing bravo himeelf,

‘9 acconiplish this he demanded ample assistance, and the
pontnot of the movement, so far as it could be properly delegated
to hina.

He was especially encouraged by the manner in which his pro-:

was received, and it was with very little delay that he was
dnally informed tuat the authoriiies would accede to his desires.
He was to perfect his plans at once, and after laying them before
department he would be given such aid as he required to
carry them out successiully, This he agunticipated, as he had
been met in a similar spirit at all points, ‘

The detective had such confidence in the young American that
betried in all manner of ways to induce him to accompany the
saredyion to the robbers’ stronghold. But the fact was that

ter Rareieas had no object to subserve that would compen-

 

the
. “I bad rather have-you with me than a dozen Neapolitan sol-
diers,” said the detective. ?

**Too much to risk without an object,” was thereply. “These

rious reason.” ;
should be a target therefore for their best

Tulter. ) ;

“Perhaps you are right. They would be very apt if we came to
a fight to siugie you out.” is, b¢
‘ . opie Tam right; revenge isone of their cardinal principles,”

@ ied. - ; ¢
_ “T have great confidence of success with (hese items of infor-
mation you have supplied.” :

“Take pienty of men with you.”

“I shall,’?

“And be sure of one thing,” said Walter, serlousiy; “you must
eee Saat quarter. These meu are as treacherous as our American

pdians.

*] fear that mercy is thrown away upon such scoundrels,
They fight us, as it were, with halters about their necks, and are
desperate men,” pS Buk

“They will show yowand your party no mercy, you may de-
pend upon that.” (Ukse ROG TU ‘ : Hee

“True, the risk is considerable," Said’ the detective, “but you
know it is jnucident tomy ‘esaion.”’

A whole company of the soldiers was detailed,{ composed of
over seventy ‘men, this spécial service. By request ‘of the
detective no one but the head: of the department was to know
what this service really was, for he was thoreughly convinced
that the brizands had means of information which would enavie
them to partially thwart the enterprise, unless the utmost pre-
caution was To render his movements as secret as
possibie, the first advance was to be made after nightfall, and the
soldiers were to meet him at Resina, so that he sheuld not bein
any way identified with their: movement until they were out of
the city proper. peeesr

The ‘enterprise had been carefully prepared, and as far as
possible Tes contingency guarded against.

Arrived at the base of the mountain a patrol was thrown out
to prevent any One from ascending at the several points where
Leeann ole, and with orders to arrest any one who
should attempt to escape from the gang above. These orders
were brief and decisive. In case of the least resistance no mercy
was to be shown—they were told toshoot down.the fugitives at
once. The men were also incited to extra effort by the promised
reward, which the captain reminded them of. :

Theae utions having ‘all been carefully perfected, the
command was divided into three parties of equal numbers, who
ascended the mountain at three known passes, with such precon-
certed signals as should enable them to concentrate upon any
one poiut in case of necessity. They were to halt for two hours’
rest at midnight, provided they met with no interruption to their
progress up to that time, then they were to draw together at a
tie? point, and hurry torward, so as, if possible, to surprise

anditt ae et

the i @ before the break of day. These arrangements
were excell provided nothing happened to interfere with
their proper consummation,

“fhe organized-force was enabled by thus taking the open
Pare to travel over three times the space which Marion and
Iter Had accomplished in the sane period of time.’ Besides

this. the men were all fresh and prepared for their work, Which

was performed ag systematically us tong ou parade. ’
The starting of the expedition Just at nightfall, was the crown-
ing cause of its successful progress. If it had gone out during
the hours of the day, its purpose would have been at once di-
ene coe spies would rare informed the robbers. ip peneeh 1
ime than the troops could. posibly aye mov r su
circumstances the purpuse of the Whole movement would have
been frustrated, But as it was, no spies had been on the watch
to report the movement of aforce at such an unusual hour, and
bence the expedition met with no obstacles on the route.

The plan thus far worked like machinery, and the men entered

ne the spirit of the business with mackod individual interest.
¢ Was just about halt an hour before daylight when the three
sections of men joined each other, about sixty in number, and
prepared for the last advance upon the robber’s stronghold. Not
a voice was heard. The strictest silence had been enjoined, and
the command moved stealthily upon its way through the rough
Arms were carefully examined, and instructions reitera-
ted toone and all. The gray of the morning was just appearing
in the east as the foremust men came upon an outlying seutry
of the gang, who was asleep with his back to a rock.

He wus instantly seized, and told thatit he opened his mouth
to give un alarm he should die, A moment later, however, he
tried to do so, for which a dagger was struck to his heart in an
instant, and his body cast toone side as though it had been that
of adog. He had not anticipated such summary treatment, and
his reckiessness had cost him bis life. _

His voice had not been ralsed sufficiently to reach those at the
cave, where another of his comrades was sleeping at liis post,
and so he also was secured with equal _promptness, his mouth
being adroitly covered so that’ he could not utterasound, At
the same tiine the whole force was quietly deploying upon the
plateau, without so much as awaking a single sleeper inside the
cave. The place was virtually at the mercy of the attacking

arty.

‘ The man who had been on guard at the entrance of the cave
struggled hurd at first, but when he got his eyes fairly opened,
and saw the nuinber of the attacking purty, he gave up quietly,
for he kuew that resistance was useless, and would only cost him
his life. The men beiug now all prepared and the light sufficient,
concealment was no Yonger of any consequence, and a dozen
men with ropes, handcuffs, and dark lanterns, rushed suddenly
into the cave, the whole party led by the detective. “He haa se-

scared a plan ot the iterior, caretully drawn by Walter Ham-
Moni, so that he knew just where to turn in his first dash to se-
cure the body of the roubers.

A few shots were mccouser ily pucAnged, but to no avail, or
with ne very serious result. The blaze of the dark lanterns
thrown inte the .yery eyes of the halfawakened banditti only
served to dazzle and ‘confuse them, and as their assailants had
been instructed just what to do, and how to doit, there was little
confusion. “Tnere was hardly one of the band after ten minutes
had teanspiged who was not securely ironed, and when one
proved at all troublesome his legs were also tied tightly together
until resistance entirely ceased. ; j

So complete a surprise and capture could hardly be realized
even by the captors themselves.

in the meantime the detective had entered the officers’ quar-
ters, where the lieutenant Was seized and iroued after a liltle re-
sistunoe, which cost Lim a bayonet wound in the side, aud his
second’ officer was tre: in the same manner, except, that

still more troublesome, lie was Knocked senseless with
the butt of a musket, Here also was found lying upon @ bed of
better construction than the rest, a man evidenily suffering from
serious illness, his room shut off by a temporary partition. In
another similar diyision, near by, was found 4
two women. A

These last were informed that so long as they remained quiet
they would not be interfered with, but any attempt to rise until
thee were ordered to doso, would result in their being hand-
cuffed and secured like the rest of the band.

The lieutenant was then prought to the entrance of the cave,
and there interrogated by the detective, at the same time being
told that there wus no possibility of escape for any of the gang.
He was informed also that be might mitigate his own situation,
as it regarded the ‘future, by giving whatever information was
required to expedite matters. He was not desired or exp to
criminate himself, or lis compenio but simply to facilitate
present movements for the convenience ofall. i

Tins man was of ‘farmore than ordinary intelligence, aud
taking a correct yiew of the situation he realized thas every man
of his command had been captured, and that uo soap or
stratagem could possibly avail anything, he accepted the posi-
tion, and wisely auswered the questions put to him,

“Who is the sick man within there?” asked the detective, to

containing

. *Mezzonit”
a 6,2?
“What is the matter with himt*
“He has fever.”
“What feyer?”
“arising from a gun-shot wound.”
)“Where are your treagurest”
“What treasures?” :
“The result of your robberics.’”
“Oh, they are taken charge of by the captain. We do not
know,” was the honest reply.
“Do you mean to say that your captain, Mezzoni, takes all the
to himself 7?
‘Yes,

s

“

“is that the truth?”
“T shall not take the trouble to tell you a falsehood,” replied

@ robber.
shea do the men like that sort of division of the booty?’ asked

e Officer, /

“It is according toagreement. They are regularly enlisted and
paid like these soldiers of the government, only they are paid
ten timesasmuch. How could they dispose ef the booty? They
would betray themselves upon the first operation. No, Mezzoni
arranges those matters.’ '

*-Ah, I see}; they are so well paid that they are satisfied at the
share they receive,”

his explains much to me which has been a mystery hereto-

fore,” sail the captain of the suldiers to the detective, ‘It is
important information,”
~©Do those women inside belong with the band?’

“One does; sie is stewardess. Her husband ig the man whois
tied and pane ute are
“Who is the other?”

“Ido not know.”?
“How came she here??? |

*By Mezzoni’s orders.”

“Held for ransom???

1 no,” ;

“We have secured twenty-three memin the cave—is that your
whole force?” '

“All at this point.”

“This is the headquarters?”

“It is.

At this moment the guard, who had been secured at the mouth
of the cave,succceded when unobserved in getting off his hand-
caffs, and leaving upon a rock beside the pigteau, drop| him.
self off its edge, a distance of nearly thirty fest, to a ledge below,
and thence climbed along, dropping again ang again from,.one
rock to another of the precipitous side, With creat dexterity he
avoided presenting \imself asa mark forthe soldiers’ builets
abovehim. In five mnutes the man was earn of sight
and tnless he should be eaptured by the patrol below, he liad
tiny made good his escape, The only one of the gang who

¢

The heutenant of the robbers had spoken truly as to there
being no treasures at the caye. With theexception of a great

’

 

variety of firearms and ammunition, and a fair supply of provis-
jons, there was nothing there. The arms were carefull secured,
and a guard left upon the spot to await further dis pn of af-
fairs, while preparations were made to march the captured brig-
ands at once to prison in Naples. There were twenty-two of them,
and besides being securely landcuffed, they were so tied togeth-
er in couples that escape was rendered nearly impossible. The
guard were ordered, however, to shoot down the first one who
should attempt it.

All the preparations were made with the utmost care, for the
officers knew very well that they had desperate men to deal with,
and it was even feared that the escaped robber might bring
some outlying friends of the gang to attempt a rescue, If this
were to ocgur, both the captain and the detective had resolved
te shoot down the prisoners without mercy.

Mr. Bush, the detective, had been orantniks the interior of the
cave with lanterns to satisty himself as to the property there,
and to look for any hidden or secret places of deposit. -He found
in a hanging closet, in the sick man’s room, @ series of disguises,
and among the rest a mask so constructed as to fit exactly to the
flesh, and, indeed, appearing to be the natural skin of (he wearer,
Beneatii the left eye of this mask he observed a sear, painted in
so ingenious a mauuer as to perfectly represent a healed saber
wound.

“Yes, yes,? said the detective, to himself, “I have heard of this
sear more than once.” :

He carefully secured this mask and took, it along with him
when he le{t the cave, as an important item of evidence against

 

“the leader of the oullaws.

“Who is there ?? sail a feeble voiee from the bed.

“One whom you have met before,” was the reply of the officer
as he approached the sick man.

“Hal shoot him!” he cried, as he fell back, exhausted.

“You are no longer dangerous,” said the detective, as he looked
upon the sick man, ; :

“Only see that he don’t get out of bed until ordered,”’ said ‘the
officer to the soldier left to guard him, 7

The invalid, weak to the Inst degree, had said nothing during
the time of the capture, and had, indeed, been lying in a sort of
comatose state all the while. His arousal was bul monientary
at the present time, and he said 10 more. E

It was quite a problem witli his captors how best to dispose of
him, for they could not make up their minds to leave him be-
hind.» He wasithe grand offender of the whole gang, and their
victory would be quite incomplete it they were'to retura withcut
him. “But while they were iu this quandary. the detective found
the Sedan chair which had been used to couvey Marion Bray up
the mountain side, and arrangements were then made to tuke
the sick man back to Naples by this means,

The stewardess was instructed to assist him In dressing, and as
Mezzoni had become partially aroused to consciousness, this was
&@ much easier task thau had at first been anticipated. The chair
was brought out fo the entrance of the cave, and four of the
stoutest of the soldiers were detailed to bear it, arrangments be-
i made to give them occasional relief.

he women were also bidden to prepare themselves to descend
the mountain with the rest of the party; none but afew guards
to be left behind, but in sufficient strength to bold the cave.

The detective, experienced 1a such matters, lad been yery busy
in satisfying himself that the prisoners were all carefully secured
beyond the possibility ofescape, when the lieutenant of the rob-
bers asked him? pale

“Who was that man who came among us disguised, and car-
ried off the captive girl ?”*

“Walter Hammond,” ; }

“Euglish or American t

“Anierican,’ ;
és 7 a have sworn that he was an American,” said the

rigand.

At that momen! the captain of the robbers was brought out of
the cave, almost too weak tostand. As he was being put into the
Sedan chair the detective came to his. side, and, after a noment,
exclaimed:

“T thought so! Mezzoni and Alberto Corrello are the same!
And this woman is. the Countess Amadeo!”

{To BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.}

“Will soon be commenced a new story by LisvTENANT MURRAY,
entitled “TRIED FOR His Lire; or, THE CHAIN OF GUILT.”’

———___>9~<—____——-

THE JOSH BILLINGS SPICE-BOZ.

GLASS BEADS.

The man who talks simply to pleaze himself will soon
be hiz own listener.

It would bea good trade for mankind toswopoff all
the wit in this world for the same amount ov humor,

A good joke iz like a perfekt pin; it should hay a hed on
it az well az a point.

Going tochurch every Sunday iz everything for sum
pholks—i hay known people Lo liv out a whole life with-
out enny ‘partikular karakter, only they went to church
regular every Suuday.

I] wish thare waz no law fof collekting a debt.

Thare iz probably nothing that men never forgit, nor
never forgiv, but. kontempt, and it iz seldum yu kun find
a sonny og being solow downon the ladder as to be be-
neath it.

‘Kontentment iz az often the result ov having no pash-
uns at all’az it iz the subdueing thoze we do hay.

The most kritikal round in the whole ladder iz the top
one.

Fools are allwuss anxiousto be heard; wize men are
anxious to listen.

The penalty oy being great iz that yu kant mix with
yure fello-kritters without loseiug sumthing ov yure
power. é

Misers are most allwuss free from all other bad habits.

People who hay the dispepshy ought to be under bonds
not to Lell ov it before foiks.

The best cosmetik i kno ov iz made ont ov equal parts
ov tempranse and exercise; it’s for sale everywhare, and
costs nothing.

Cunntug Men never fav but one councillor, and that iz
themselfs; this iz one reazon whi they allwuss git beat in
the end.

The man who iz good for nothing only when he izina
lite spot ought to keep there az mutch as he kan.

Tolivinihe kuntry yu want to kno a little ov every-
thing; to livin the city yu must kno a good deat oy one
thing. :

I like a good hater, provided he kan glye good reazons

or it.
2 rather undertake to locate the north pole than the dis-
pepshy. ; ‘
It iz just about az disgusting to hear a man brag oy the size ov
hiz pocket book az itiz the size ov hizstumm
Yhare iz one human being whomi admire with supreame ku-

 

riosity, aud that iz an old Beau, who haz outlived and wore out
every thing but a few fashionable phrazes and a haggard set ov
grins and grimaces that he begun life-and bizzness with.

One man,enjoys the profuse expenditure oy munny, and
another the proluse hoarding ov it, and i guess that each one ov
them iz just about az big a phool az the other.

The grate mistake that most oy us make iz to konsidder our
mere opinyuns az matters ov judgment.

We are too apt to forgit that deth holds a fust mortgage on all
our worldly truck, and iz ever fore closing and entering into
posseshun without giving enuy notiss ov, proceedings,

l lay the grate mountains and the mighty oshun, bekauze they
are about the only things upon this earth that men look at and
dont suggest sum improyement or alterashun, é a

Twins are @ dangerous experiment, thare seems tobe a leetle
too mutch ov them for one person and not quite enuff for two.

Mankind owe pretty mutch all their suckcess to their kuriosity
and energy combined, 7 h

Chastity is like glass ware. . If it iz once broken, it kan never
be put together agin without showing that it haz been mended.

I kno lots ov people who had rather brake almost enny one ov
the 10 commandments, than one ov the laws ov fashion.

Cunning is like @ trap, it never ketches enny one, but the most
arrant phool, the seckund time. : {

Iam satisfied that what a man must hav, and aktually noeds,
lie Kan alwuss git. If he wants more. than this, I have no ob-
jeckshuns to his getting it, if he honestly kan.

Tlie true plan oy life iz to mnosently gratify all our pashuns,
and not starve, or kut oph one of them.

In menny people religion is a mere habit, instead oy a princi-

ple.

fam glad that’ mankind won’t Rivet bi the experiences ov
others, bekause sucksesses, not failures, kant be reduced to 4
science.

Tbare is hardly enny one but what thinks they would like to
swop places with their nabor, and # they should trade, they
would probably beth get cheated.

Wine may hay made sum people witty, but it certainly haz
made more foolish.

thaz been sed that a man will tell the truth when he 1z drunk.
This may be so, but i notiss that sutch men will aliwuss lie more
than enuff to offgett it when they git sober. d
«Vines that are forced gro the less fruit; it iz just so with the
too early edukashun ov children,

Knolledge without virtew iz more dangerous than ignoranse.

But very few men hav ever jumpt' from the bottom to the top
round ov the ladder at one jump and staid thare very long.

About three enemys to one friend iz the right teen This
will keep. a man wide awake and full ov fleas all the time.

If lazyness would enly spend its time doing nothing, it would
be. at least endurable; but it iz dredphul bizzy all the time
hunting for nothing,

The eazyest literary labur i kno ov iz writing epitaffs; they
fetch a good price, and are out oy the reach ov kriticism.

A boy will learn to sware well'in just one haff the time he will

learn to pray.

It wiut so mutch what le dont kno, -az it iz what they do
kno that aint'so; that raizes the old Harry in this world.

Men aint wicked thru their judgements, but thru their wills.

Yu Kant make a man yure [riend bi lending him munny, not
if yuever stop doingit; butyu may make him yure bitterest

>

enemy. ;

I think it requires a good deal more skill to manage a friend
than it duz an enemy. : 4

‘Mankind generally are like sope bubbles floating along on the
top oy the stream—sum are bigger and more brittle than others,
bekauze they hay more mind in them,

Liars don’t seem to know that everyboddy had rather listen to

the truth than to a falshood. ‘

Bad men allwuss gro worse.

This eepnecorn, and waiting for font hins to turn up iza
ood way to ketch the fever ague, or git stung bi a hornet, or be
nokt hed over heels by a stray mule, but thare ain’t no mouny

init. + ‘

Thare i but very little truth traveling around loose; two-thirds

oy all the gossip that iz afloat iz either a lie or will be bi the time
it haz changed hands once more. |

rane that don’t pay a good fair per cent iz & poor artikle to

eal in.

I wrote 5 years on the start, just for glory, and met with good
suckess, but wheti i asked for pay everyboddy found out at once
that i waz a kussid phool.

Reading fickshun iz a good deal like eating whipt slllybub—the
more you eat the more yu want, and the less yu seem to hay.

Thar~ iz no better evidence that mman iz a knave and a phool
than that he will submit to be praized for qualities that he don’t

possess,

The soolty. wize folks are thoze who fully understand that thare
iz but very little im this world but fuss and shams, and whoackt
ackordingly.

Pitty iz too cheap andcommon to be worth mutch.

Every boddy iz pleazed with flattery; it iz only the kind and
quality that iz sumtimes offensive. ;

A haff-edukated man iz like a haf™broke mule, he iz az danger-
ous to himself az he iz to others.

J hold miself responsible to no one but my Maker.

Philosophers are az plenty az tud stools; what the world stands
in_need ov most just now iz sum good honest workers,

Jt iz no kredit to enny man to work for haff-price “and board
himself, and it iz no kredit to enny one to pay sutch wages. |

He who wont accept an apology ought to forever lose the debt.
Apologye are lawtul tender.

t he man who iz the fust to forgive, iz the fust to win the vik-
ory.

It iz generally safe to claim a good deal, for men seldum git
more than they ask for. >

Fortune’s wheel iz auiwuss on the move; heds wins to-day, and
tails to-morrow,

An ounce oy pluk is worth more than a pound oy muscle,

I hav seen very good-natured people entirely spilte for all prak-
tikal purposes bi coming suddenly into posseshun oy a pair oy
horses, and buggy. a

Familiaritys, even between friends, must be indulged in with
grate caushun.

G od breeding iz nothing more than good sense and politeness
properly combined,

I kant help but respekt prudence, butido lav to see aman
play hi daady once in a while, it iz so kind ov human.

The philosophers hay told us that if we are kontented we shall

 

be happy, they might Just az well that if win we
pall be laeky, ight J hay told us ah in

*

 

ee es eee a ~~

 

Home iz ene the fust ten years ov our lifes hay been spent, i
dont kure ff it waz in an alins hous.

The individual who kan coolly wear ® pair oy boots for two
eee and a haif without having them tapt, aint good for mutch
else. ;

bizzy bizzuess. } a

The cheapest learning i Kno ov iz to listen. ,

Hurry and dispatci are often konfounded, but they are no
more the same breed than the bizzy auntand the loafing pissmire,

I am fully satisfied that honesty hax no pedigree, thare iz just
az muteh ov it amung the lower az the higher orders,

“Know thyself” iz the hardest lesson that enny human being
haz ever undertook yet. t

Heathens, poor kritters, dont indulgein horse trots or law suits,

Learning iz helthy, but to kno how to use it 1z helthier,

: ere who kant find nothing to doiz generally mighty fraid
ne will.

Whiut little I kno, Lhave got, az thedog gits hiz brekfast, bi
picking up @ bone whareyer I kan fludit, and then setting down
in sum sly place and knay it.

To be kontinually reading, and never reflekting, haz the same
effekt on the mind, that kontinual eating and no exercise Nas on
the boddy, The more grades thare jz in society the better.

The dest way to konvert the heathen iz to load up with pattent
rights and fire into them. Mankind iz it for liberty just im pre-
porshun az they are virtuous,

Gearning haz filled the world with libraries, two-thirds ov
which are ov no more use to mankind than the cobwebs that are
ustially found thare.

WITH OUR CONTRIBUTORS.

We have received a large invoice of favors lately for our Spice
Collum, and we aceept Grace, Ben Hatciings, Gipsey and Black
Ball. We are obliged to decline, on account of space, Beauty,
Unit, Sam, Cloud, Lines to My Cigar, You Bet, A. A., Toad Stool,
Raspberry, Milk, Nonesuch, Doubtiul, Pain Killer, Spotty, Car,
Jews Harp, B. 8. K., Rigmiarole, Betsy and, I, Lamb, Beans,
Oypher, Jim O, K. B. S., Little Fraud, Wives of Windsor,
Crackers and Cheese, Not Any, Nimble Joe, Sweet Breads, D. D,
Sweetmeats, What’s the Matter, Town Pump, Mary, Bugle,
Pound Cake, Roory O’Moore, D.§, Hank Bliss, Statement,
Dave, Sandy Crane, Doat, Sturgeon,

- \

 

Marlin Marduke;

Sie: OTS Eine

GROWN GRAY IN GRIEF.
By Prof: Wm. Henry Peck,

CUAPTER XXIII.
IN THE ANTE-ROOM OF THE DUNGEON,

Zona and Elena, left in total garkness inau apartment
which was filled with the foul olors.and darkness of a
dungeon, experienced a sudden and overwhelmiug terror.

“Mistress Elena,’? said Zona, who had been separated
from her companion. by the violence of theienraged land-
lord, and who desired atleast to grasp her hand; ‘‘Mistress
Elena.?? ié

“] am here,” replied the maiden. ‘But call me Elena.”

“But ail say that you are in truth a lady born, Elena,
while I am said to be simply the daughter of @ man who
is respected by no one,’ said Zona, in a sad tone.

‘It matters very Jittle to us now, Zona, who our parents
may haye been or are,’’ replied Elena. “Atieast, and at
most, we are now sisters ju misery. Let us embrace, Zona,
though we cannot see each other’s faces.”

They groped about until their outstretched hands met,
and then clasped each other to their bosoms. :

“Ah, Elena,’ sighed Zona, “if I had only been drawn
thus to your heart long, loug ago! Then 1 would have
been, if not so gentle aud nobie as you, at least Not so un-
worthy as lam.”

“And how Lhave been wrong in thinking unjustly of
you, dear Zona,?’ replied Elena, cordially. ‘But it is
never too late to be friends, and henceforth let us be sis-
ters.’

“Thank you, dear Elena, for your generosity, for I know
that even should it chance tliat we are equal in birth, you
are infinitely my superior in heart and mind.”

“] know nothing of my-birth,” replied Eleva. ‘‘ButI cannot
think of that now, Zona, ~ soul is with poor Marlin, who lies
in the black-cross room, perhaps dying, and, oh mel certainly
| doomed to death even by his owntather. Oh, Heaven! why am
T helpless now to aid him?” ; :

“Do uot despair, Elena,” said Zona, encouragingly. ‘You be-
lieve in a God, and in good angels who aid the good; and, surely,
if there be any truth in your belief, there will be help for you.
Were you never in this room nntil now?” ;

“JT do not know yet, Zona. I think we are in the ante-room of
the dungeon.” :

“The ante-room of the dungeon!” exclaimed Zona. “Then it
is true that there is a dungeon in the Stuart Arms.”’

“Yes; in which Ihave heard that mutinous members of tie
smugglers’ association haye been confined, and sometimes even
put to death,” replied Elena. “Great Heaven, Zona! do not
move,” she added in tones of desperate alarm. ‘‘My Heaven,
what an escape we have already bad. Do not move an inch!”

They remained motionless and rigid; Elena, because she had
suddenly remembered something; Zona, use the tone of her
companion had filled her with fear of she knew not what.

“Tf we are in the ante-room of the dungeon,” continued Elena,
‘we have escaped a great danger.”*

She was about tosay more when the key was turned in the
loek, there was arattle and clash of bars, the door was opened
hastily, a flood of light streamed into the room, and then the
huge face and form ot the ee EREDARFO. ,

The flamo of the Jamphe bore in his left hand fell squarely upon
his vast visage, and though much of that vile countenance was
concealed by the bandages around it, both Zona and Elena de-
tected great alarm written upon every visible feature; and also
that this anxious sxpueesion changed to one of intense relief the
moment his eyes fei ae the ivrias ve his fair prisoners.

“Ah,” said he, entering briskly, and holding the lamp over his
head, “‘I was very near making a pretty mess of it,”

Zona, whose eyes were fixed upon the face of the speaker, did
not comprehend his meaning until Elena pressed her arm and
pointed at the floor not far from their feet.

Zona’s glance feli to the floor; she stared for an instant with
eyes expanding with terror, shuddered and made her embrace
upon Elena more closé than ever.

Immediately at their feet was a yawning chasm; a black and
gaping pit, whose depth seemed fathomless, and the area of whose
mouth compassed several square feet.

“Tt is a marvel how either of you escaped a leap in the dark,”

 

1 Kaspar.

The reflection of an instant told Zona that when the brutal
landlord pushed Elena and herself from him in his anger, Elena
was forced diagonally forward to the right, while she was urged
diagonally forward to the left of the pit and by but a few inches.

The floor of this room, whose level was many feet below that
of the public-room, was covered with a greenisli mold, damp and
slippery, and the tracksof the two girls were plainly visible,
proving that as they had moved toward the sound of each other’s
voiée in the darkness, they bad passed within an inch or two of
the edges of tle pit, and met upon its brink on the side opposite
that nearest to the door by which they had entered, 1

“By the bones!” said Kaspar, as his eye measured the distance
of their footsteps from the edge of the pit, “itis a miracle.”

“So you intended that if we escaped death in this horrible
place it should be only by.a miracle,” said Elena, sndieme nity,

“Notso,” replied Rieinhand. ‘You had so flustered my wits
with your fables of poisonetl daggers that I forgot that the trap
was open. I did notremember it until I was about to return to
the public room. AsI had no desire nor intention to harm
either of you, be sure that I made haste to return.” :

With these words Kaspar placedthe lamp upon the floor,
reached down into the pit and, slowly raised a heavy door which
was attached toone side of the ene with strong hinges:
Having raised this door toa level with the floor, he made it se-
cure by means of two bolts.

Even when thus secured it appeared bg unsafe, as indeed it

and meant to destroy and not to save life.

“T wouldn’t advise you tostep on it yet,”’ said the landlord,
ashe rolled his huge frame to one of the corners of tne room,
where he placed his hand upon what appeared tobe simply a
large iron ring fastened to the wall.

id ‘But you may. now,’? he added, as he pulled stoutly at the
ring.

There wasaclash and jar immediately under the trap-door,
as if a t iron bar had glided from somewhere beneath it, and
into sockets which made it a firm support for the door.. i

“You may now,” he repeated, as he advanced and boldly
trusted his enormous weight upon the door,
aur” weto be ipprisonedin this hateful place?” demanded

na.

“My queen of royal loveliness,” ae Kaspar, with a leer,
“you heard the commands of Sir Garvin Marduke. Iam respon-
sible for your appearance to-morrow, *I do not think that you
can escape from this room, my doves, Now Iam very sure that
you can escape from any apartment above ground. This is not
@ very pleasant place; I know—by thebones! I’d rather not sleep
here myself——’ : :

“How are we to sleep when we haye not so much asa chair to
sit down upon ?” interrupted Zona. p :

Kaspar-shrugged his huge shoulders until his ears were cover-
ed and replied:

“Had you accepted me, my beauty, I would have exhausted all
my comforts and luxuries mm making you comfortable. “But as I
do not-wish that’ any one of the household should know where
you are, 1 eannot have you waited upon, You must rough it
out, my dainties, I will leave the lamp,” :

“So if we sleep at all,” remarked Elena, ‘‘we must sleep stand-
ing, like horses, or iu the dirt like swine.’ ‘

“You are very fortunate.in® being allowed to live,” replied the
landlord, as a savage gleam flashed trom his eyes. “You are both
traitresses and deserve death.”

“Perhaps when I am the wife of Sir Garvin Marduke I may not
forget your kindness, Master Kaspur Rhoinhand,” said Zona.

“Come, that is a threat, isn’t it? Bul now Tthink of it, you
may be of use to me when you are Lady Marduke, or Lady Some-
war else,?? :

6 saylug he again left the room and almost immediately after
returned with a straw mattress and a load of bedding,

“T took these from the housekeeper’s room,” he said, as he tum-
bled his load upon the floor, ‘It isthe best thatIcando, Be-
sides, you will have to remain in here but a fewhours. To-mor-
row you will both be wedded to the Mardukes, and no doubt
they will see to your comfort.”

“And this is allthat you will do for one whe has from her
peaney been as a daughter to you, Master Rheinhand?”’ asked

ena,

“Bah! T was takiig care of you for another,” replied Kaspar,
“fam Mar ¢ sure no loye was ever lost between you and me,
You have filled my brain with a horrible dread that I am poi.
soned, and, girl, I hate.you for that, You have made mea
coward with a twist of your tongue—both of you, and T hate
you both. But for you,” he added, as he scowled at Elena, “I
would have no-hurts, It was you who had that woman brought
into my house.”

“And she has an antidote for the poison, if poisoned you are,”
interrupted Elena. .

“What if she has? She has no doubt made her escape from
the inn, for the guards are all drunk, Besides, I am not sure
that Iam _ poisoned, tuongh, curse you, you, it is very plain,
wish me to be tortured with the belief that I am.”

“The first plain proof that you have been wounded with a
dareer poisoned, as the lady described,” said Elena, truthfully,
will be the appearance of purple and livid .blotches upon your
lands and arms,” ‘

par ginseng instantly at his hands.. They were enormously
large and fat, and covered here and there with patches of coarse
red hair, but very white from little exposure to sun and wind, as
his occupatioa seldom carried liim into the open air.

“There are no sigus of blotches on my hands,” he said, as he
bared his immense arms. ‘Nor on my arms either. But should
the blotches appear, no doubt it would be too late then for the
antidote’?

“Their appearance would be certain proof of the presence of

ison in your blood, but even then the antidote could save your

ife.”?

The landlord stared at Elena for a moment, and scowllng very
darkly, said: ‘

“T believe you are working af me to torture me; but take care!
Tf it turns out that Iam really poisoned, I swear that all the
power of the Mardakes shall not save you.’

“T did not wound you, Master Rheinland.”

“No matter. It was vou who brought to my house the she-
devil that stabbed me,” growled the infuriated landlord as he
left the room,

He clashed the lock, the bolts and bars into their sockets on
the outslde, and Zona and Elena felt that escape without his aid
was impossible,

For a few moments neither said ‘a word, so overwhelmed
were their minds with despair; but at length Zona said:

“T do not fear the morrow for myself. I have little desire to
live, Elena, It is on your account tlint I grieve over this captivity.
Were I tree, or rather had I not released Obel Ling, I could have
effected the escape of the commandant—not immediately, per-

 

haps, but alter a time,”

A lazy man never ought to setup for a raskall, raskality iz

<4 THE NEW YORK WEEKLY. ==> 67

ats nae eect eat

 

She covered her face with her hands and wept
aud tried to Calin her agitation.

haughtiness.
for such a baseman, Ah, Elena, you do not know.”
replied Elena,
to fear to accept the last chance for life; that neither could you
be made the wife of Garvin, nor I the wife of Captain Herod.”

“f toid you truly, Elena. Herod Mardukeis) my husband,
though he himself does not Know it. You start with surprise, as
well you may, Listen, aud let me explain. For more tian five
years I have devotedly loved Herod Marduke—yes, frdm the first
day that I remember ever to have seen him, and that was years
and years ago, wnen Paul Vultree, who claims to be my father,
first brought me trom Holland to Langfleay.’?

“Were you born in Holland, Zona?” '

“I do not know. Heaven help me, Elena; if I ever had a
mother to caress me I do not know it, I only know that Paul
Vultree stys Tam his child, bornin Holland, and that my mother,
his wife, died a week ‘alter my birth. ButI am very sure that
Paul Vuliree lies in this as he lies in everything. Stil], my earli-
est recollections go back no furtuer than Amsterdam, But let
me return to Captain Herod. I loved him when he was a boy
and butachild. I tried to keep the fact from lis knosvledge,
for I was proud; and I succeeded in keeping my secret until'a
few months agu-———”

“Not from me, Zona,” interrupted Elena, with a smile! “For
more than ayexr I Lave more than suspeeted that you loved
Herod Marduke; but never have I hinted my belief to, any
one.’

“Yes, you suspected the truth, Elena, becatie you detected
that I was foolishly jealous of you, There was one other who
suspected the truth, and whom I now think told it to Captain
Marduke for the basest of purposes—for gold.”

“For gold, Zona???’

“Yes, to gaiir money. Elena, I believe now, though only this
night did I frst suspect it, that the miserable wretch, Paul
Vultree, who ¢cluims that Iam his daughter, sold me to Captain
Herod.” : '

“Great Heaven! What baseness!” exclaimed Elena.

“I believe it tirmly, Elena, forit was Le who first, or rather it
was only be who told me that Captain Herod loved me fondly
and desired to be my husband. He told me, too, that the mar-
riage would necessarily be « secretoue, as Garvin Marduke had
it-in mind to wed his son Herod you, and would be furiously
angry were his pet and long-laid plans thwarted. After that
Captuin Herod told me that he madly Joved me, and would
ratner die than call any one except Zoua Vultree his.wife, and
that his father’s anger would be terrible and al) that, Weul,

mMarriuge—a marriage which I now know they intended should
be a sham.,’’
“A shan, Zonat”?

which I, a frienuless, contiding gir], should be the unsuspecting
victim. Weil, the murriage tovk place, and very secretly, but,
thank Heaven, it was not a sham,

“AN, Lam indeed delighted to hear that,” exclaimed Elena,
kissing Zona’s pale, cold lips, for pale and cold and rigid as thuse
of a@ corpse Lucey were, as she spoke of her great wroug {

- A sigh, more like a sob than a sigh, escaped from the pale, cold
lips, and Elena continued:

“Tum glad that you were not deceived by a sham marriage,
and yet, oh how sad to knew that you were deceived at all.”

“I was deceived aud most cruelly,” said Zona, whose beautiful
face was now as pale as ashes, ‘ior I thought Herod Marduke
loved me. Inever dreamed—oh, why should I have dreamed

were making a victim of me—a victim to thelr base passions, the
one of lust, the other of avarice.”
“Ot avarice, Zona %” :

hhouse.”’ :

eat not then imagine why Captain Herod paid the

oney 5 4

“How could {? Isuspecged nothing.. J was mad with but one
great and blissful thou, tuatI was the loving bride of aJloy-
ing and noble man—the boldest, bravest, Dovjest and most hand-
ene man in Langfleay—in all the world, I then itondly be-
ieved.’ ‘

“You remained, then, stillin the house of Paul Vultree ?”

Yes, as they so willed it; and had I never begun to suspect that
Captaiu Herod had deceived me, I, would have been content, oh
most happy to remain his wile in secret forever, Yes, Elena, I
could have lived under a cloud of shame, knowing that he was
in truth iny husband, and loving me.” ,
7 a why did you suspect that you had been deceived,

ona

“*T will tell you, Elena, Fora few months, some three or less,

denly he became cold, reserved, avoided ny presence, was harsh
and sneering in tone, I know why now.
dislike him; to make me hate him, so that after a time I would

might agree topartas if we had never met, as is so common
among the peopie of Langfleay. He had found a new love some-
where, no doubt. I believed that you were that love, and so I
hated you, oh, most bitterly, Elena.”

Elena pressed her soft red lips to the cold brow of the unhap-
py Zona, and suid:

“You were wrong, for lhaye always disliked and feared Cap-
tain Herod, Zona.”

‘Phat I indeed believe now, but I did notbefore to-night. Well,
he becaime cold and harsh and. even insulting, and still I loved

 

"Zona? asked Elena.

 

 

him, Elena. L loved him too devotedly to have my love turned
aside by mere coldness and bad treatment. I imagined a thou-
sand excuses for his. conduct. I accused myself of hav-
ing placed myself before him as a perpetual dread lest his tainer
might discover the truth and upbraidhim. But about a month
ago I became acquainted with a man who had for several
months been occasionally associated with the smugglers. He
came, one night, to Paul Vultree’s bouse, upon soe business
connected with the association, and as Captain Vultree was at
the moment absent I met the man in the sitting-room, I had
seen him often beforeupon the beach or in the streets, but had
never conyersed with him, though [had heard his voice as I had
heard that of every smuggler in Langfleay. He seemed émbar-
rassed when I entered; in facthe grew pale and trembled. It
was very plain that he was much agitated as he stammered out:

“Oh, Mistress Zona—it was your father I wished to see—and
not you—that is—I really mean thatit was my business that de-
manded an interview with Captain Vultree, though, indeed, I
esteem it a very great pleasure aud honorto have the privilege
of oe with so fair a lady.’

“T was greatly slartied by this language, for I had until that
moment never heard this man speak except in a coarse, rough
yoice, inthe broad, sally dialet of the smugglers of Laugfleay,
and with every sentence strung with oatlis and sea phrases. No
wonder, theretore, that I marveled on hearing jiim use fluently
the soft and polished uccent and elegant style of a well-educated
gentieman.” :

“And where did you learn to use the same accent and style,

0 “Now our late housekeeper, who live
with us for several years, was an educated woman, and had bee

they say, a lady, and she taught metoread and write and to

speak as they converse in cities. She taught me many other
eee ee too, poor old lady. But who taught you,
Zona

“T cannot as much as. read, Elena, much less can 1 write, for 1
haye neyer had any tuition. But Paul Vuitree.can, when he
wishes, speak asa scholar and a gentleman—indeed, he was a
lawyer before be became a smuggler. He would never take the
pains, had I had the inclination to learn, to teach me to read and
write, but he taught me to use the accent and style of cities, and
thus by ear I have learned to speak quite correctly, English,
French, German and Spanish—fer Capiain Vultree delights to
converse in all these. You know too that Garvin Marduke and

Captain Herod are far, are infinitely better educated than any in

Langtieay, and. with them I have conversed much.”

“Ah, now I understand,” replied Elena,

Zona continued her recital: {

“I was greatly astonished on hearing the smuggler use the tone
and polish of a gentleman, but I was terrifjed us I recognized in
his voice the voice of the priest who had pronounced Herod Mar
duke and Zoua Vultree husband and wife. And yet this man
was known to me and to all Langfleay ouly as a common smug-
gler. by name Obel Ling.”

 

OHAPTER XXIV.
THE ALARM BENEATH THE FLOOR.
an the smuggler you recognized the priest !—oh, he musthave
been a pretended priest who. married youl” exclaimed Elena.
“Obel Ling that priest? Ah, then you were indeed deceived, for
Obel Ling, surely, is not a priest.” ;

“T have good and strong reasons to believe that ‘he is a’priest,
aclergyman of the Church of England, a Puritan minister, 4
Quaker, and any thing else it may suit him to be,.and with legal
Tbs to be as it may suithim. He isa spy—a spy.in the service
of the Jacobites and in the service of William of Orange. Both
parties employ the most unprincipled and vicious ‘instruments,
and empower them to play many talse characters. It was my
wish to be married according to the marriage rites of the eliurch
of Rome, and so Obel Ling—for I now know he performed the
ceremony—acted as 4 priest of that church, Had I desired tove
married according to the rites of the English church he would
as readily have acted ag lala ick of that church, and in
ere the marriage would legal ‘in these days of dis-
order,

“But are you certain, Zona, that Obel Ling was the man who
wedded you to Captain Hered? Perhaps similarity of voice ue-
ceived you”?

“I was not so deceived, Elena, though untila short time since
I hoped I was deceived. Assoon asI lieard Obel Ling speak, as
I have qua@ged, I recognized his voice, as I have said, as unmis-
takably th@ of the priest, or pretended, priest who had married
me to Captain Herod Marduke. I am very sure that I changed
color, for I felt very sick and.faint, and it flashed upon my
heart with keen anguish that I had been deceived.”

“Did he continue to use the same accent and style, Zona ?””

“No, He saw his error itistLantly—saw it in my wild stare, pale
face,'and trembling limbs, no doubt, for he at Once assumed a
smuggier’s tone, accent, and style, saying, in 4 rough, boorish

way:

‘So they say in play-books, Mustriss Zoiney, the like of which
I ha’ a-been a-overhaulin’, though devil belay my red rag if Obel
Ding can coil it in that shape more nor a flip of a gull’s wing, for
aye he ha? a-been tryin’ it on sin’ sunrise.’

“I hurried away, toofull of new-born and agonizing suspicion
to stay any longer, and yet as I left I_had presence of mind to

say: ‘

i am quite ill, Mr. Ling—been ill all day; Iwill send in my
father.’

“Then perhaps he did not attribute your emotion to its true
cause, Zona ??

“[ do not think he did; for thongs I saw him frequently after-
ward, and watched him intently never observed any conduct
upon his part from which I could conciude that he suspected that
LT suspected him.” .

“Ah, Zona, perhaps, after all, it was not he——”

“Elena, Obel Ling has confessed to me that he was the priest—
not a pretended priest, but by law empowe
rites of marriage,
he was bound he made known to me the baseness of Captain

Herod. He did not tell me that Paul Vultree was the accomplice |

of Herod in that great villainy, for I neglected to ask him; but I
do not now need the assertions of Obel Ling to convince me that
Paul Vultree sold meto Captain Herod. i know it as firmly as
it Vultree himself had confessed it to me. When 1 promised 9
that I would free the commandant, I thought L could do it, Ele-
na, and I may_be able to do it yet.”

“Let us not despair, Zona. But tellme why you consented to
accept Garvin Marduke as your husband when you knew that
you were already the wiferof his son ?”

“PD did 1t to save my life, Elena, Had 1 refused I would have
been torn in pieces by the mob, I did it to try Captain Herod,
aud to gain time,; But, especially,” she. added, Reis her eyes

ashed with anger, “I did itto obtain revenge, Captain Herod
does not know that the marriage was a. true and legal marriage.
He no doubt imagines that-I am convinced that it was ashain,
ahd that through simple spite I will marry his father. He is
sure that my’pride and shame will force me to keep forever se-
-eret the whole affair from his father. He no doubt expects to
hold me always.in his power by threatening, to reveal the truth
at any time toGarvin Marduke. He thinks that I fear Garvin

Marduke. Elena, I pm so reckless now that I fear nothing, not
even death—death! "1 wish I were dead! I wish that I had never
been bortil’”

“Do not say that, Zona, you may yet be happy.”

juepey only in being avenged upon Herod Marduke!” ex-
claimed Zona. ‘But Jet us examine our prison.”?

“We need not hope to escape from it,” said Elena, sadly, as
they arose. “We are in the ante-room of the dungeon; nor haye
I ever been within it until now.’?

“At least we may look about us,” replied Zona, as she took up
the lamp. “Ah! thers is the narrow door which opens into the
dungeon, no doubt.”’ ‘

‘As she spoke they approached one of the walls of the room, and
halted before a tall and narrow deor.
waa door was of iron, anu in its lock was a key, long and mas-

Ve.

ae why have you no desire to live, Zona? Lite is sweet to
au. Be

“Not to me, not to me, Elena,” replied Zona, in-a bitter tone,
as she sat down upou the bei Kaspar had thrown une the floor.
tte.

( : rly Agr a
few minutes, during which Elena entwined her arms around her

“Enough,” ‘cried Zona, suddenly regaining her customary
“Ido myself adishonor in shedding a single tear

“Tt is because of some baseness committed by Captain Herod,”
“You told me that he was your husband, and not

“Yes, a.miserable, iniquitous, most villainous sham, Elena; of

that he supposed he and the man I believed to be my own father

“Of avarice, Blena, for I remember now that just before the
ceremony was perfotmed Captuin Merod gave Pau! Vultree a
small bag of golaen coin, and that when theceremony wis com-
pleted ie gave him another, I Know it was in golden coin, for I
saw Paul Vultree count it over eagerly after We returned to his

I think, Captain Herod appeared to live but in my smile. Sud-
e desired to make me

be gladto bidhim never enter my presence again—so that we

to celebrate the |
Before I ldosed him from the stake to which |

 

ee =

 

 

“Of course,” said Zona, asshe placed the lamp in Bienn’s hand
and grasped this key,,“we need not hope te find any escape from
the dungeon, yet we will try to look.into it,” }

The lock yielded to lier strength, and with great ease and no
noise the iron door swang back upon its hinges. }

‘It is very, sirange,”?...r ked Four pawsing to examine the
hinges of this noiseless door, “that the door of a dungeon should
work so nviselessly and'with such ease. Why the hand of achild
might turn. this. great key and move that massive bel: “Hold the
late Denker iene a8 | live Ape wards of .the lock and the
ninges of the door have been oiled r ly. i
and er, ca Tecently. See, this oil isclear

‘hey entered the dungeon, which was asquare apartment
small in area, but witha ceiling fully thirty feet som thé floor.
Its walls were stone tothe bight of about ten feet, and above
that were ot pluin, rough boards,

_ The apartment was empty, and Zona gazed about and upward
in great bewalderment.
Suddenly she began to shudiler, and pointed at seyeral @ark
stains upon the stone walls, saying :
“There! do you see it? Blood, Elena—human blood#*
‘Do you mean those marks upon the walls, Zona?™*
Yes—you see them? Oh, Elena, you have lived so many years

his guests to disappear and never to be heard of after they sleep
there,” added Zona, pomting upward.

uw here, Zona? Ido not understand you.”

There. That which you think is the eciling of this dungeon
is really the floor of a room above. Now what room of the inn
is immediately over this dungeon»?

Elena retlected fora moment, and then said:

“One of the guest chambers—No. 8 which adjoins No. 7—In
which Master Rbeinhand bas always siept.. He never permits
any onetoenter his room, nor No. 8, when he is not -present.
And now Tremember that he bade me sce that the two travelers
were lodged im No, 8?

“Fes, and because he desired to murder and rod them,” said
Zona, “The floor above is false, and on it rest the two_ narrow
beds upon. which the travelers would have slept. . And while they
slept the floor would have been slowly and uoiselessly lowered
until it rested upon the floor upon which we stand. Then through
this door would hayeentered Kaspar Rhineliand to do assassin’s
work. Oh, no doubt many.a poor wretch has received his death
biow in this spot. See, and some bave uied struggling tor dear
life, for the walls are Eplashed with blood. Théstainsare dry
anu dark now, but I know, that they are the stains of blood.”

“But, Zona,” asked Elena, in great amazement, *howy is it that
you recognize this place—or, rather, how is it that you know any
such horrible deeds have eyer been done, and if they have been
done, that Master Rheinband did them?”

“Paul Vultree, once when he was drunk and angry with Kas-
par Rheinhand toid me of. these things,and andeed: described
everything, and how the victims were dragged into that ante-
room) and cast into the pit. The bottom of tie pit is conneeted
in some way with the sea, and the bodies are aliiost immehate-

Paul Vultree and Captain Herod won my consent to a secret j"ly seized upon and, devoured by rayenons. fisu and, erubs and

other inhabitants of the water and slime.”?

“But a few days since. j

“Have you never spoken to any one of it, Zona’?

Never, For when Paul Vultee became soberhe remembered
that he had been babbling, and bade ne. not a Word of aught
that he had said, as he had hed, and were Kaspar Rheinhand to
hear of it there wound be an éndiess feud between him and the
landiord., But Jet us return to the ante-room, Elena, for there is,
indeed, no eseape {rom this place.”

They left the dungeon and closing the door were gain in the
apartinent which contained the pit.

“Did Paul Vultree tell you, Zona, why this trap-deor was pro-
vided with false fastenings???

“Yes; that if it suited Kaspar not to strike his victims, the
door of the dungeon being Jett open, and alamp burning pear
the deor of this room, the vietith on awakiug and desiring to
escane, would tread upan the trap and be precipitated jato the

pit, ;

“Would the fall be certain death?” asked Elena,

“So Paul Vultree said. It is strange, Eiena, that you have never
suspected the existence.of this horrible place.??

“Ah,” replied Elena, “I have suspeeted that Master Rheinhand
dealtfoully with some of his guests. I knew that many a travel-
er has been placed in No.8, and that of them Rhembhand would
say: ‘He left before daylight.’ Oh, Zoua, it is horrible! Por years
I have suspected that 1 wasthe adopted daughter of a murderer,
and longed to escape,’,

“Theo why did you not try to escape, Elena?” ;

“Try! I lave tried hundreds of times to escape from Lang-
fleay—that is before Marhn returned. But 1 - constantly
| watched. Among the crews of the sinugglers, a among tile
people of Langfleay, Master’ Rheinhand and Garvin Marduke
haye many-spies WHO are eyer Watching me. And if I were te
escape, whiiher could I got I am friendless—no, Ihave one
friend, the hermit of the beach——”

“The hermit of the beach! Ob, you mean the inhabitant of the
wrecked ship?”
Yes, Zona.’? :

 

him Peter, the Bearded, and say he is a wizard.”’

, “What do the people say of. him?” asked Elena, with keen cu-
riosity. “Do they wink that he is a spy or an enemy of the
smugglers?”

“A spy! an enemy! oh, no. You know thar‘it is scarcely a
year since he made his appearance }in Langficay and reecived
permission to live in the wrecked ship,’’ replied Zona. ‘He is
feared by ali, and said to be. a prophet and a wizard... That is
the reason no one goes near hig home, But you say he is your
triend, Elena??? i :

“My best and only friend, now that Marlinis helplessand you
2 prisoner, Zona.”

“Butis he powerful—is he, indeed, a wizard ?”?

“A wizard! Do you believe in witches and wizards?” asked
Elena, looking her companion ful) in the face,

No, Ido not,” replied Zona, “though allin Langfieay do, Still,
the hermit must be as powerful asa wisard, if he can oppose
Garvin Marduke.”?

“He is a very strange man,” saki Elena, “and Iwish he knew
what is going on bere. _I am sure he could rescue us,’?

“But if so sure of that, why have you never asked him to aid
you to escape from Langfleay 2”? task

“T haye and he bade me wait a little while longer, and trust to
him for aid when in need.’? g

“Phen, indeed, he is no wizard,” said Zona, ‘or he would know
that you sorely need his aid now.”

“He will know it very soon, if he does not already, Zona,”
bie hearing these words Zona gazed at her companion in sur-
r

se.

“You are dreaming with your eyes open, Elena, The hermit
has never been seen near this house, we may be very sure
that he has pot ventured abroad during al) this | riot and disturb-
ance, Listen! You may hear the yells and shouts of the
drunken mob even bere, Elena.”

Elena made noreply. She knew, however, that the courier
Fry had understood and obeyed her secret signal.

after a pause,

ever tell me, He has always been a tyrant to me, and
until within a few years I have not dared to oppose hit comrades.
But Iam a woman grown now, and since Marlin nas honored

me with his Jove I have not feared to disobey Kaspar Rheinland,
{or Kaspar feared the commandant. Next week Mariim and i
were to. have been married.” ‘ :
Zona was about to speak, when a noise was heard immediately
beneath the trap-door, | ay
“Great Heaven!” exclaimed Zona, starting aside. “Do you
ar that noise, Elena ? n
| “Oh, mercy!” cried Elena, as he and Zona recoiled to a ‘cor-
ner, “Some one or something is trying to etlect an entrance by
the trap-door!? _ : ;
It was very plain that some ene or something was at work
under the trap-door, and both Zona and Elena for a moment
were petrified with terror and amazement. Either that some-
thing was a human being or some lurge animal.
If it was a man he must have been within the pit when Rhein-
hand fastened: the trap, or there existed some means com-
munication between the pit and the outer workd by which he
had entered. Elena knew nothing whatever of the bottom of
the pit, for until her entrance into that room ‘she had not so
much as known that the pit existed. t
Zona knew nothing of the bottom and formation of the pi
except as she had Jearned from the drunken. revelations of Pau
Vultree; and governed in her imagination by thoge revelations
alone, she believed that the waves of the sea swept into the bot-
tom of the pit, many feet below the surface of the floor.
Filled with iuexpressible horror, the two girls gazed in speech-
less dread first at the trap-door and then into each otlier’s pale

ace,

“Oh, great Heaven!” whispered Elena, “something is below
there trying to remove the support that holds up the trap-~doort
It Popes iro aie oF the Ted ai

na was brage and liardy, yet her nerves had been terribi
shaken by the eXciting events of the night, and especially by the
conyiction forced upon her mind of the baseness of the man to
whom her whole heart had a given. Her mind, therefore,
readily yielded tothe impressions which affrighted her compan-

on,
“Yes,” she whispered, as they clung tightly together, “It is no
doubt some dreadtul nionster of the s€a that f: ents the bot-
tomof the pit! Certainlyat cannot be a human being, for no
‘| human being could liye an such a place, Nodonbt this monster
has often ied upon the bodiesof Rueinhand’s victims, and having
heard na sound of our voices, is eagerly trying to reach us to de-
your us

“Oli, good Heaven deliver us!” gasped Elena, for at that’ in-
stant the ring which Rheinhand Imad grasped when he secured
the trap-door became violemtly agkated.

“Ah,” said Zona, “the monster has seized the support of the

trap and is trying to thrust or pull it away? 0
“Butif he does,” said Elena, “wili not the weight: of the door
as it falls dash him back into the pit 9”?
“Let us hope for anything,” replied Zona, whose courage began
to return, ‘though if it be a monster, as we think, no doubt its
strength and agility will protect it from harm, But let us pre-
pare to defend ourselves,” :

“It will be useless to scream,” said Elena, “for no’ one can
hear us,'and if'our voices were to be heard no doubt Master
Rheinband basso ordered it that no attention would be given.
But how can we defend ourselves against this horrible monster,
whatever It may be???

“As tor me,’
bladed dagger with which she had liberated Obel'Ling, “I have
never seen any ot those moudsters of the sea of which the eld
women of Langfleay prate such wonderful tales, Neither mer-
maids nor mermen haye I seen——” (

“Nor I,’ interrupted Elena, “Buf once I saw, cast ashore on
the beach, a dreadful thing of enormous size and horrible shape
—they called it a sea-devil! Oh, Zona, it was dead, and yet even
then a terrible thing to look upont {ts mouth was dreadful to
see, and upon each corner of that yawning chasm of a mouth,
growing outward, was a huge arm, ever curved to grapple its
prey! Great staring eyes, aud a horny tail many feet in kngth
and huge fleshy fins that looked like wings! AndI bave hear
of sea-wolyes, aud sea-dragons, and sea-serpents——”?
“yhere—cease, Eleva! for your speechi makes me tremble,” in-
terrupted Zona, “I, too, saw that dead sea-devil, but Iam sure
such a monster could never climb up the sides of the pit. I have
my dagger and can use it,”

“Ah, you are brave, and more than brave, Zona, for you are
desperate and life is nothing but bitterness to you. Butl have
so much to live for——”? ‘ x

“Then prepare to preserve that life you love so well,” cried
Zona, firmly. ‘Rouse yourself, Elena, aud shake off your trem-
bling. Here, see! here isa heavy iron bar! Take it, and be
ready to strike a good, telling blow upon the monster’s head as it
appears.

erved by the heroie courage of her companion, Elena gras
the iron bar and stood ready to deliver a stroke upon the bead of
the imagined monster of the pit when itshould be within reach.
The etforts beneath the trap to remove the support which up-
held it had continued while Zona and Elena exchanged the
above words, butall in vain. Tie support could, not be removed
from below, and the noise made beneath suddenly ceased as if
the would-be intruder was either wearied or baffled.

“Ah? sighed Elena, joyfully, “it seems that the monster can-
not remove the fastening, Thank Heaven for that!”

“T know not which we shouki dread the most,” replied Zona,
ashe turned her pale and resolute fuce upon her, companion,
“the monsters who imprison us or thisunknown enemy below.
We are—or at least I am decreed to destruction, for Garvin Mar-
duke’s wrath will devour we when he learns that lam the wile
of his son——

“Ob, great Heaven!” cried Elena, “the monster was only
resting! He is urying again!” Mth
Elena spoke truly, tor the nolse below the trap began again,
but not as hitherto. a

Now the noise was of a ¢utting, rasping, thumping nature, and
Zona knelt upon the floor so as to place her ear upon the trap-

  
 

doer, x

This brave and heroic girl, as brave as a warrior and ne reso-
Jute as @ leroy was endeavorimy to discover by what means this
supposed enemy was attempting to force an entrance,

Elena began to speak again, but Zona made a gesture com-
manding perfect silence. Elena, pale and agitated, yet with far
more courage than could be found in the hearts of the majority
of her sex, remained silent, with ner eyes fixed upon the face of
Zona, and awaited her commands.

At length Zona arose and whispered, as she grasped her dagger
more firmly: :

“It is some one armed with a knife, or it is a monster with
great talons cutting and tearing an entrance. Patience and courte
age, Elena! Weshallsoon see what munner of being we are to
fight,” BE QONTINUED.)

 

in this house and not discovered how Kaspar Rbinehand causes -

“And how longiis it, Zoni, since Paul Vultree fold you this?? ;

*And has he no name? You know the people of Langfkeay call

al.
“You do not know who your parents are, Elena?” asked Zona,
t ;
“No, lL know nothing of them, nor would Master Rheinhand

replied Zona, as she calmly drew that broad- |

 

”

 

 

 

a ore eneren nena

 

 

 

 

 

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