A ROVANCE 17RO

was heavy, languor that was altogether unusual.

I ventured from my place of conceal- ment to =4l further explore the apartment.

R

ey . ”

LI

I found that the lounges were all of the most dehightful and seductive =oftness, and the tapestries, the cushions,and the curtains were of the richest possible desceription. [t cortainly was a place to hie and dream in, shut off from the noise and fret of the busy waorld. At one end ol the room was o large chest of some sort of carved Indian wood. It was bound round with iron bands and fastened with a huge brass padlock. While I wias wondering to mvself what this chest contained, the door opened and the Indian woman glided in. Scizing me by the arm, she

" while there is vet a chance. My husband has gone upstairs, but he will return in a fow minutes.”

“When do the members meet 27 T asked.

At seven o'clock.

of the club

'y

“Then I shall remain in that place of

concealment until they meet ! 1T answered firmly,

She wrung her turned her dark ey

v

hands distress, and es on me imploringly.

A DT CTN S

and I L\pcnuuul 4 sense of

L L Y ET

CAASE-3O0RN. -

/

But T gave her to understand that nothing would turn me from my resolve ; and 1f she

chose to aid me in carrving out my purposc, she might Took for ample reward.

Recog-

A cnance!

no avail, dread of her hus-

vising that arcument would be of andoevidentlv i great band, she muttered :

“The peril then be on vour own head I and without another word she left the OO,

The peril she hinted at did not concern me.In ety T did not even trouble myself to think what the peril might be. T was too much interested for that, feeling as [ did that T was about to witness a revela- Lromn,

The hours passed slowly by, and asscven drew on | concealed myscelt once more in the recessy and by \11“11t1\ moving the cur- tain back at the cdeoe, T wus umblul {o) command a full view ot the room. Pre- sently the door opened, and the husband of the woman came in. - Ie wasa tall, power- tul, frerce-looking man, wearing a large turban, and dressed in Indian costume. He

placed three or four small Tamps, already hahted, and enclosed in ruby glass, on the

table ; and alzo a number of quaint Indian drimking cups made ot silver, which I