them walnuts with their wine!" said
Gentiliska, as they reentered the labyrinth that led them from the
mountain top to the caverns underneath.

Sybil's heart shrunk within her. To the delicate and conscientious,
there is always an exquisite torture in the immediate contact of the
coarse and reckless.

They reached the large cavern to find its walls brilliantly lighted up,
and the supper table laid and well laden, as on the preceding evening.

"We will go to the sleeping cavern, and lay off our bonnets and shawls.
Then we will be ready for supper. Fortunately we don't have to dress for
the evening at our house!" laughed the girl, leading the way to the
little cave.

When they had thrown off their wraps, they returned to the larger cavern
to find it half full of the men. Supper was already on the table; and
Satan, who was now in full evening dress, came forward and bowed to
Sybil, and with much empressment led her to the place of honor at the
board, and seated himself beside her.

Moloch took a stool immediately opposite the pair, where he could gaze
at will upon the new beauty.

When all were seated the feast began. Satan gave his whole attention to
Sybil, whom he treated with tender deference.

As the supper progressed and the wine passed around, the men, under the
exhilarating influence, grew merry and talkative.

"Hope the beaks'll have a good time up at the old Haunted Chapel to-day!
This is the second day they've been there looking for us! And oh! didn't
they think they'd struck a rich lead when they found that swell Berners
up there! They thought they had got his wife too, for certain! That's
what's brought them back to-day! they know they can't find us there; but
they hope to find her," said one of the robbers.

But his speech was not received with general favor. And when he stupidly
pursued the theme, not understanding the menacing look of Satan, one of
his companions dug an elbow in his side, and called out:

"Stow all that, you stupid donkey! Don't you see the lady you are
talking about is at the table?"

The rebuke was almost as bad as the offense had been; but it had its
effect in silencing the talkative offender.

But good-humor was soon restored. The walnuts were placed upon the
table with the dessert, and many compliments were passed upon the pretty
hands that had gathered them for the feast.

But just in the midst of their merry-making the whole party were
startled by a tremendous explosi