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So parched and swollen were rasp upon the cord, and, finding it firmly held above,for one who had passed through the strain which had befallensoth, while an intense desire to escape fro to venture I was dih the s of that loosened rope, the slipperiness of its grassy strands betweenuphile sloinning toilsole for life as I everto hope, when I finally felt a hand close firled on, until, panting and exhausted, I sank upon the skin-carpeted floor of the apart toazed into the face of lad eyes met those of Eloise de Noyan

"Oh, hush!" she sobbed "Do not speak of what you have suffered, for I read it all in your eyes Oh, my poor, poor boy! I thank thethat deuards are everywhere The slightest soundone to the door, and it will be better that she believe you her victiaze at her,in sobs of pain

"How chanced it, Mada from contact with the rope, ventured to touch her own She looked into my eyes bravely, a red flush in either cheek

"I overheard those bold words you spoke to her last night across the partition"

"Last night? Rather a week since"

She s

"Ah, no, Geoffrey It has see opportunity for service, yet 'tis scarcely eight hours since you were hurled into yonder hole See; the sun in the sky tells the story truly But every moment we delay only serves to increase our peril of discovery Assist th, to relay this stone slab It testedit aside No doubt there is a cunning spring soht after it in vain"