front, on each side, and above. But
from nowhere could I see an indication of its existence. It was a
veritable secret chamber wrought by the hand of Nature itself. I did not
return home till I was familiar with every detail near and around it.
This new knowledge added distinctly to my sense of security.

Later in the day I tried to find the Vladika or any mountaineer of
importance, for I thought that such a hiding-place which had been used so
recently might be dangerous, and especially at a time when, as I had
learned at the meeting where they did _not_ fire their guns that there
may have been spies about or a traitor in the land.

Even before I came to my own room to-night I had fully made up my mind to
go out early in the morning and find some proper person to whom to impart
the information, so that a watch might be kept on the place. It is now
getting on for midnight, and when I have had my usual last look at the
garden I shall turn in. Aunt Janet was uneasy all day, and especially so
this evening. I think it must have been my absence at the usual
breakfast-hour which got on her nerves; and that unsatisfied mental or
psychical irritation increased as the day wore on.

RUPERT'S JOURNAL--_Continued_.

_May_ 20, 1907.

The clock on the mantelpiece in my room, which chimes on the notes of the
clock at St. James's Palace, was striking midnight when I opened the
glass door on the terrace. I had put out my lights before I drew the
curtain, as I wished to see the full effect of the moonlight. Now that
the rainy season is over, the moon is quite as beautiful as it was in the
wet, and a great deal more comfortable. I was in evening dress, with a
smoking-jacket in lieu of a coat, and I felt the air mild and mellow on
the warm side, as I stood on the terrace.

But even in that bright moonlight the further corners of the great garden
were full of mysterious shadows. I peered into them as well as I
could--and my eyes are pretty good naturally, and are well trained.
There was not the least movement. The air was as still as death, the
foliage as still as though wrought in stone.

I looked for quite a long time in the hope of seeing something of my
Lady. The quarters chimed several times, but I stood on unheeding. At
last I thought I saw far off in the very corner of the old defending wall
a flicker of white. It was but momentary, and could hardly h