SHALTS 7RO AN

entry. ITassan was barcly outside bhelore the gates once more descended with a dull thud, and we were shut within the palace.

“We are in for it, [ expect,” said Frank : “therc was no time to ask Hassan how these gates unfasten. Look at the old crone, she has discovered the trick !

It was an evil-looking face that peered imto ours, and for a moment my hand wandered to where my dageer was placed. I'rank pushed her aside, and strode on in the dircction of the main apartment, according to the information which Hassan had given us of its whercabouts, 1 followed closcly, the crone raising wild howls of rage s we went along, even throwing herself several times before usy and trying to bar our way with her distorted body. The palace scemed perfect ;

ST OWAS AN FVIALOOKING 1 ACE.

not a stonce nor a carving showed marks of age. There was an immense curtain ol a material resembling purple velvet before us, We dragged it back upon the golden rods which supported it, and then stood still for 4 minute, completely astonished at what WE SaW,

EASTERN OUITTER.

OH “/

Sumptuous {urniture of the Rast filled the apurtment, There were magnificent burnished mirrors hanging upon the walls, which themsclves were o mass of minute carvings representing battle scenes and other events of those bygone years. The skins of many animals lay about the apart- ment, and in the centre of it stond the throne of the one who is known in the Arabic Tegends as Shomar's queen.

A ray of light scemed to enter from above, and fell upon the throne. There, scated upon 1ty was a form whose loveliness scemed more than human. Her face, and bust, and snowy arms scemed as it carved out of the material of which the palace was constructed. Her robes were fitting for the rank which she had occupied in life, while at her feet lay the murdered form ot her lover! My heart beat vio- lently and I turned to my companion, as I said excitedly—

• Hassan has told

us the truth! Do you see them? ' and I pointed to the dramonds that flashed like stars around the neck of the princess.

Frank was silent for a moment, then he answered—

“Who could have expected such a story to be true? It scems like rob- bery to remove the diamonds, but they are uscless to the dead, and to us Mean an immense fortunc.”

We passed up to the centre ficures in the palace cham- ber. The crone quessed our intention, and, flinging her- eIl upon Ifrank, vented her fury upon

him. He scized her, and, despite her struggles, held her fast as he called to me —

“ OQuick ! get the diamonds, while T keep this hag awav from vou,” |