manner changed. Grasping the Judge by
the arm, he said: "Come with me!" then half dragged him towards, and
through the door that led into the laboratory.

CHAPTER X.

THE BETROTHAL.

The Judge offered very slight resistance as Doctor Medjora urged him
forward, and even in the pitchy darkness of the laboratory he made no
effort to free himself. He was no coward, and in defying this man whom
so many feared, he showed that he feared no man.

The Doctor went straight to the trap-door, and began to descend the
stairway. His reason for having no light in the laboratory was, that
he did not wish the Judge to know by what way they went down. As the
trap-door was open, he would not suspect its existence; all that he
would be able to recall would be that they had descended a flight of
stairs. Should he enter the laboratory, at some future time, he would
be unable to discover the way to the crypt below.

But it was not to the temple of AEsculapius that the Doctor now led his
companion. He had decided not to divulge that secret to any other
person, besides Leon. Mr. Barnes, it is true, had been taken into the
crypt, but by hypnotic suggestion the Doctor had eradicated all
recollection of that visit. You will remember that on the night when
the Doctor had controlled Mr. Barnes by making him sleep, he had
subsequently taken him through an old wine cellar. This vault still
existed, though it had been remodelled at the time when the new house
was built.

It was into this secret chamber that the Doctor now took the Judge.
Closing the door behind him, he touched a button, and an electric lamp
illumined the apartment.

The chamber was comfortably carpeted and furnished, and in all ways
presented the appearance of a luxurious living room, except that there
were no windows. On this night, a silk curtain, stretched across from
wall to wall, seemed to indicate that there was something beyond. What
that was, at once arrested the attention of the Judge, but he
exhibited no curiosity by asking questions, preferring to await the
unfolding of events as they might occur.

"Now, Judge," said the Doctor, "I must ask you to pardon my having
brought you here. I may also have seemed rude or brusque in manner,
which you must set down to excitement, rather than to malicious
intent. You understand that I would not harm my friend?"

"I have no fear!" replied the Judge, coldly.

"Be seated, please," said the Doctor, and then both took ch