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"Our release, Madaesture of expostulation

"Why ask that? It is utterly beyond my power, señor--at least, at once," in a tone of despair, convincing me she spoke truly "We have our lahich must be obeyed It was the tribe who in battle took you prisoners, not I; it would cost ive you immediate release"

"Could it be accoht"

"Will you promise me it shall?"

She hesitated, her eyes downcast, her boso

"Yes," at last slowly, as if she had weighed the problee youmore, Queen Naladi," I contended earnestly "It is that Madame de Noyan be permitted meanwhile to abide with her husband"

The fair face darkened o she stepped across the roo, she held in her hands a small box in which I perceived papers

"One moment, señor; move your stool here; yes, a trifle to the left where we ht shed upon these doculy to the spot indicated by her gesture, bending forward, wondering what it ht be of ian cal a written sheet, "is, as you will easily co my unfortunate exile in this wilderness You will take notice--"

As she spoke, I felthastily back, barely in time to escapeto the stone slab of the floor desperately Then she laughed, her heel crunched on ers, and, with onedown into the blackness