s in this respect will be followed by
severe punishment. I shall be at the cave ere long; but, meanwhile, I
have other business to transact."

And quitting the hut, he plunged into the wood.

Meanwhile, Sir Thomas Wyat, having crossed the lake, landed, and
fastened the skiff to a tree, struck into the wood, and presently
reached the open space in which lay the secret entrance to the cave. He
was not long in finding the stone, though it was so artfully concealed
by the brushwood that it would have escaped any uninstructed eye, and
removing it, the narrow entrance to the cave was revealed.

Committing himself to the protection of Heaven, Wyat entered, and having
taken the precaution of drawing the stone after him, which was easily
accomplished by a handle fixed to the inner side of it, he commenced the
descent. At first, he had to creep along, but the passage gradually got
higher, until at length, on reaching the level ground, he was able to
stand upright. There was no light to guide him, but by feeling against
the sides of the passage, he found that he was in the long gallery he
had formerly threaded. Uncertain which way to turn, he determined to
trust to chance for taking the right direction, and drawing his sword,
proceeded slowly to the right.

For some time he encountered no obstacle, neither could he detect the
slightest sound, but he perceived that the atmosphere grew damp, and
that the sides of the passage were covered with moisture. Thus warned,
he proceeded with great caution, and presently found, after emerging
into a more open space, and striking off on the left, that he had
arrived at the edge of the pool of water which he knew lay at the end of
the large cavern.

While considering how he should next proceed, a faint gleam of light
became visible at the upper end of the vault. Changing his position,
for the pillars prevented him from seeing the source of the glimmer, he
discovered that it issued from a lamp borne by a female hand, who he had
no doubt was Mabel. On making this discovery, he sprang forwards, and
called to her, but instantly repented his rashness, for as he uttered
the cry the light was extinguished.

Wyat was now completely at a loss how to proceed. He was satisfied that
Mabel was in the vault; but in what way to guide himself to her retreat
he could not tell, and it was evident she herself would not assist him.
Persuaded, however, if he could but make himself known, he should no
longer