mitated his action, when, to his surprise, he saw that it was not
Katrine D'Enghien, but Lydia.

A low sigh fell upon their ears as they were leaving the bed's head, and
Paul raised his eyes to see that the old Indian was watching, and in the
semi-darkness he saw him quickly raise a portion of Lydia's dress and
hold it to his lips.

Drawing back, they gave place to Katrine and Gerard Artis, who walked to
the bed's head, stood for a moment or two, and then, as if moved by the
same impulse, both drew away. The old Indian stepped back with his
candlestick, the polished silver of which seemed to glimmer and flash in
the gloom, the heavy curtain fell in its funereal folds, and the group
turned to Mr Girtle.

The old man said a few words to Ramo, who crossed the room to the
dressing-table, taking one by one the candlesticks, and placing them in
Paul and Lydia's hands, after which he took those from the chimney-piece
to give to Katrine and Gerard Artis, the old lawyer taking the one the
Indian had carried.

This done, Ramo walked softly to the curtain that covered what seemed to
be the second door, and again there was the thrilling sound as the rings
swept with a low rattle over the rod, laying bare a strong iron door
deep down in a narrow arched portal.

Opening his silken robe, he drew out three keys of curious shape,
attached to a stout steel chain which seemed to be round his waist, and
softly placing one of them in the lock he turned it easily, when a
series of bolts shot back with a loud clang. Then taking out the key,
he pressed the door with his shoulder, and it swung slowly and heavily
open, apparently requiring all the old man's strength to throw it back.

"Iron, and of great thickness," said Mr Girtle, in a low voice. "Mr
Capel, shall I lead the way?"

The Colonel's heir bowed, and, candle in hand, the old lawyer passed
through the doorway, Ramo holding back the curtain, and standing like
the guardian of the place.

They saw Mr Girtle take a couple of steps forward, turn sharply, and
descend, and as Paul Capel followed, he found that to his left were half
a dozen broad stone stairs, flanked by a heavy balustrade, and that the
old lawyer was standing below, holding up his light.

The next minute, as they reached the floor of what seemed to be a
good-sized chamber, there was the sound of the curtain being drawn as if
to shut them in, and Ramo came softly down the little flight of steps,
to stand at a dis