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In the afternoon we coements for the visit to thetreasure cave We both felt the necessity for pressing on thiswas known to Don BernardinoHe had not hesitated to speak openly, though he did not know of coursethe extent of our own knowledge of the subject, of a grave duty which hehad undertaken froht ensue It hilst ere speaking of the possibility ofhis being able to decipher the cryptogram, that Marjory suddenly said:

"Did you understand exactly why I asked you to give him the paper atonce?"

"Far be it from me" I answered "to profess to understand _exactly_ the woman"

"Not even when she tells you herself?"

"Ah! then the realShe smiled asshe replied:

"You and I are both fond of mysteries So I had better tell you at onceThat man doesn't know the secret I am sure of it He knows there is asecret; and he knows a part, but only a part That eager look wouldn'thave been in his eye if he had known already I daresay there is,soinal Don Bernardino put downin his story And of course there must be some allusion to the treasurein the secret records at Sis of Spain nor the Popes would let such a treasure passout of mind Indeed it is possible that there is some key or clue to itwhich he holds Did you notice how he referred at once to the secret of the law book? If we hadnot given it up at once, he would have forced on the question and wishedto take the paper away; and we could not have refused without lettinghi by our very refusal Do you understand any ive me any more for my ill-manneredoutbreak? That is what I am most sorry for, of all that has been in theinterview to-day Is that also any ht to you on the mystery of awoman's mind?"

"It is, you dear! it is!" I said as I took her for a ly toeven momentarily to tenderness helped to ease the strainwhich had been bearing upon her for so long Forand brave one, was but a woman after all

At six o'clock I took my way back to Whinnyfold; for I wanted to haveall ready for our enterprise, and take full advantage of the ebb tideWe arranged that on this occasion Marjory should come alone to join meat the house--our house

CHAPTER XXXIV

THE ACCOLADE

When Marjory arrived, I had all ready for our exploration There wereseveral packages waiting for her, and when she ee, their purpose was h to show that she had put on hersand shoes on her bare feet She saw that I noticed and said with alittle blush:

"You see I am dressed for the part; you caht I had better prepare for it too"

"Quite right, my dear," I said "That pretty head of yours is level" Wewent to the cellar at once where I had laht I showed Marjory how to get up and down by herself,in case anything should happen to ravity of ourenterprise apparent Her face grew a trifle anxious, though she did notchange colour; I could see that all her anxiety was fora plentiful supply of matches andcandles, as well as an extra lahts All these were in a tin box to insure their beingkept dry I had a meal of bread and meat packed ready; also a bottle ofwater and a flask of brandy, for the explorationtimeThe tide was not quite out, and there was still in places a couple offeet of water; but we decided to go on at once as it would give ustide

I took Marjory first up the passage inland, so that sheof the lines of the cave system There was, however, too ht be so, perhaps permanently under water, into soained the pile of debris of theexplosion at the cave's mouth I could not but notice how much Marjorywas impressed by the stillness of the place Here, the tide, filteringin by innumerable crevices and rifts between the vast pile of stones,showed no sign of the force of waves without There was not time for therise and fall of waves to be apparent; but the water le which co in of water anywhere, and is so constant that it does not strikeone as a sound It was borne in upon us that the wildest storm without,would make no impress upon us here in this cavern deep; and with it, asan inevitable corollary, cao wrong in the fastnesses of this natural prison

Marjory bounded over the slippery stones like a young deer, and epassed through the natural archway into the cave beyond, her delight was on so quickly that I found it necessary totell her she o slow so as to be able to take stock of all aroundher as she went It was needful to look back as well as forward, so thatshethe other way I rereat ball of stout cord which I carried,the end of which was attached to the rope of the windlass in thecellar "Remember, dear," I said, "that you have to be prepared for alleventualities; if necessary to go back alone and in the dark" Sheshuddered a little and drew closer to me; I felt that the movement wasone of protection rather than of fear