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As the page spoke, he started behind a column, and was lost in the obscurity of the dungeon.

"Claudio, Claudio! they will kill thee."

"Nay, dearest," said Claudio, "think not so. These kind of men are much more likely to leave me to a fate which, were it accomplished, would be much worse than the death their sword would inflict upon me."

"Hush!" said Maurice, "they come. I see the glare of their lights."

"Let us retire into the shadow of the columns," whispered Claudio. "Methinks this place should have some terrors even for the Count Durlack."

The party who were approaching, now paused on the staircase, which led to the trap-door through which Claudio and Maurice had escaped from the vaults on the occasion of their first visit.

"They must be here," said the count. "This door yields to the touch."

"That leads into the dungeon," said the baron, "of�of�"

"Of Montoni!" cried Durlack. "I remember it, baron; we came in at this door, and departed at the other. I threw the key of this on the floor of the vaulted passage and I am surprised to see it now open."

"The key has been found," growled Roland. "Here it is in the lock."

"True," cried Durlack; "I recollect, baron, you advised me to throw it into the black pool, but I thought all was safe."

"These vaults," said the baron, in a troubled tone, "have been visited by parties that I know not. This open door,�the noises I have so fre-

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quently heard, all tend to confirm me in the opinion that strangers by some means have had frequent access to the castle."

"Let us enter," said the count.

The little door creaked on its hinges.

"They come! they come!" whispered Caroline.

"Be of good cheer," said Claudio; "they will but conduct you to your chamber, from whence, I hope, in a few hours will see you rescued."

"You will trust the page, Claudio?"

"With my life, Caroline! The poor boy carries sincerity in every look."

"Oh, count!" cried the baron; "think�think what a sight may meet our gaze in this place! Can you enter?"

"I can, and will," replied Durlack. "I am not scared by shadows!"

A broad glare of light from the torches now illumined the dungeon with the exception of that part which was thrown into shadow by the intervening columns.

"How long, aye, baron," said the count, "is it since we were here?"

"Three years," said the baron.

"Humph!" said Durlack; "time enough for Signor Montoni to have crumbled into dust."

"I see no one here," cried Roland, holding his torch-light in the air.

"Come on," shouted Durlack; "I hear a voice."

He rushed forward as he spoke, followed by the baron and Roland.

"Hold! Count Durlack," cried Claudio. "You seek me;�I am here."

"Snugly trapped," sneered the count.

The baron presented his arquebuse full upon the little group of fugitives.

"Surrender quietly, or I fire."

"Baron Zindorf," said Claudio, "I am a soldier, and more accustomed to fight against odds than surrender to them; but there is one here whose personal safety is so dear to me, that I dare not compromise it."

"You surrender then?" cried Durlack.

"What are your intentions?" asked Claudio.

"How came you here?" cried the baron. "Answer me, sir, why do I find you in my castle clandestinely?"

"I have an object," said Claudio. "I am not blind to beauty."

"Your sword, sir," cried the count.

"On what conditions?" asked Claudio.

"Confinement in this dungeon for daring to intrude upon the Count Durlack," said the voice of Euphoric, and at the same moment Claudio felt himself clasped round the waist by some one from behind.

"Well done, Euphoric," cried Durlack, springing within Claudio�s guard before the latter could disentangle himself from the clutch of his youthful assailant.

"Treachery!" cried Claudio;�"treachery! Base as�" He caught an imploring glance from Euphoric�s eye, and paused.

"Hold! Roland," cried the baron; "our prisoners are secured."

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Claudio turned, and saw that Roland with a gleaming poniard in his hand, had been during his brief conference with the baron and the count, stealing behind him, no doubt to assassinate him.

"I owe my life to Euphoric," thought Claudio.

Maurice surrendered his sword. Caroline stood with clasped hands looking the picture of despair.

"How came you here, Euphoric?" said Durlack.

"I descended from the chapel," answered the page. "The trap-door was open. Curiosity led me hither."

"You have done good service," replied the count.

"Guard the prisoners," cried the baron. "The least attempt at escape shall bring instant destruction on you all."

The count now beckoned the baron to some distance, and said, in a low tone:�

"What is to be done with this gallant and his companion?"

"Leave them here," answered the baron, "as Euphoric suggested."

"They cannot escape?"

"Impossible!�We can lock this door, which is covered with iron plates. Then we can leave the dungeon by the door with the spring, which cannot by any possibility be forced by men without weapons."

"And sinking hourly," said Durlack, "without food!"

"Yes�true," said the baron, turning ghastly pale.

"And the fair Caroline?" asked the count.

"Can be conveyed to her chamber," answered the baron. "She will then be wholly in your power."

"We have still time before we need leave Zindorf," said Durlack, "to pursue our original scheme of enforcing Caroline Mecklenburgh�s signature to papers conveying away her right to her estates in order to avoid the marriage."

"We have, count."

"Then so be it," cried Durlack. "The vaults of Zindorf are handy. We will leave this Claudio to feed upon his love."

"The air of this place oppresses me," said the baron. "Let us finish this business as quickly as may be."

"Stay yet a moment," said Durlack.

"Wherefore?"

"I have a curiosity, baron, to look on the other side of yon column."

"No�no," cried the baron;�"do not, count;�do not. There lies Montoni!"

"I know it, baron. I tell you I have a curiosity, which must be satisfied. I would see what figure the proud haughty Montoni presents now!"

"I cannot accompany you," said the baron.

"Pho�pho," cried Durlack. "Come, Euphoric, bring here a light."

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CHAPTER XXXIX.

EUPHORIC took the torch from Francisco, and with a calm steady step, advanced to the count.

"Come, baron," said Durlack, "shake off this nervousness. Follow Euphoric."

The baron reluctantly walked after the count.

"Euphoric," said Durlack, "throw a light here."

The page advanced to the side of the skeleton of the unfortunate Montoni, and holding the torch close to it, he threw a strong glare upon ghastly spectacle.

The count contemplated the remains for some few moments in silence, then turning to the baron, he said:�

"Well, baron, here at least lies an inoxious enemy. By the rood he will have some company soon."

"Horrible!" cried the baron.

"You are tender-hearted," sneered Durlack. "See, even Euphoric shrinks not from these harmless remains!"

The torch slightly trembled in the page�s hand.

"Come away," said the baron.

"What think you of this, Euphoric?" said the count.

"The skeleton?" said Euphoric, calmly.

"Aye, boy, the skeleton."

"Has he been murdered?"

"Oh, no," answered the count, "he died a natural death from the want of food."

"Indeed!" said the page.

"He was a tall, stout man, Euphoric, whose remains you see here."

"Was he?" said Euphoric.

"By Heavens!" cried the count, "you have good nerves, Euphoric, for your age. There are many such as you who would have shrunk appalled from such a spectacle as this. I honour your courage, Euphoric."

"I am not frightened at this skeleton," said the page.

"I would not lose you, Euphoric," cried Durlack, "for the best soldier that ever wore a sword."

"While you live, count," said Euphoric, "I solemnly swear that I will never leave you."

"I believe you most faithful," said Durlack.

"What I have sworn before high Heaven," cried the page, "I will perform, or perish."

"Enough, Euphoric," answered Durlack; "henceforward I have no secrets from thee."

"Why linger over these remains?" said the baron, impatiently; "let us depart, Durlack�out time is most precious."

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Roland and Francisco, in the meantime, kept close guard over Claudio, Maurice, and Caroline.

"All will be well dearest," said Claudio, in a whisper.

"Oh, Claudio," replied Caroline, "my heart bleeds for thee."

"Hush, dear Caroline, hush," answered Claudio, "each word we say is heard. Trust to the page, Euphoric."

"We have no other hope, Claudio."

"How can they gaze upon that skeleton form?" said Maurice�"they, who have destroyed what the art of man can never restore!"

"And how can Euphoric," said Caroline, "preserve a composure so foreign to his nature? What can be the boy�s purpose?"

"I fear he meditates some dire revenge against the count," remarked Claudio. "But hush!�their conference is ended�they approach."

"Heaven grant me strength," said Caroline.

The baron now advanced to Caroline, and said�

"Girl, I might be warranted in using harsher measures towards thee than I now meditate, but at the intercession of the noble Count Durlack, you will only be conveyed to your former chamber."

"When I know," answered Caroline, "what crime I have committed, I shall be better able to appreciate the clemency of the Baron of Zindorf. As it is, I cannot but feel myself the victim of the cruellest�the bitterest persecution."

"Your account, baron," said Claudio, "for all these things, shall be most bitter."

"It is a prisoner�s license," said the Count Durlack, with a sneer, "to his rail at his captors."

"You will remain here," continued the baron, "in confinement."

"And my faithful servant?" asked Claudio, looking wistfully towards Maurice.

"He has followed you so well hitherto," said the count, with a mocking laugh, "that it were a thousand pities to separate you now."

"Caroline Mecklenburgh," cried the baron, " follow us. Compel us not to use force."

This was the most trying moment for Caroline. All her resolution was forgotten; she only remembered that she was about to be separated from Claudio, and that he was consigned to a dungeon from whence there was but one hope of his release�namely, in the disposition and ability of a comparative stranger�the page Euphoric.

"Claudio! Claudio!" she cried; "this is no moment for forms�no time for ceremonious reserve. Oh, Claudio, I may never see thee more!"

"Grieve not, Caroline," answered Claudio, in a tone of assumed cheerfulness. "Heaven, in its own good time, will right the innocent."

"Did Heaven," sobbed Caroline, "release the poor Montoni?"

"Oh, talk not thus," said Claudio; "there is a bright hope within my breast!�a voice whispers to my heart that all will yet be well."

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"Humph!" cried Count Durlack; "a most pleasant and seasonable voice!"

The baron locked the small door that led from the dungeon to the staircase, and then approached Claudio.

"Tell me," he said, "how you became acquainted with these vaults, and it may soften the rigour of your confinement."

"I do not believe," answered Claudio, "that anything I could tell thee, baron, would rouse one spark of generosity or justice in thy heart."

"As you please," cried the baron; "a little castigation will enable me soon to discover everything."

"This door," cried Count-Durlack, who had advanced towards the vaulted passage, "is open, and it appears to have been tampered with from the inside."

"Ha!" exclaimed the baron; "from the inside, say you?"

"Even so," answered Durlack.

"Then this Claudio must have entered the vaults from the chapel;�and yet the spring seems uninjured. The door must have been opened from the outside."

"It matters not," replied the count, "so that we close it well and securely."

"Farewell," whispered Claudio to Caroline; "farewell, Caroline�for but a brief space, farewell! Be of good cheer, dearest."

"Oh, Claudio, Claudio, I cannot. There is a feeling of despair at my heart."

"Nay, dearest Caroline, despair not. My captivity here will be brief."

"Should Euphoric fail!" said Caroline, in an agitated whisper.

"Come," said the baron. "Caroline Mecklenburgh, we wait."

"Should the page die, or be discovered, Claudio! Oh, Heavens! the thought is madness."

"No more delays!" cried the baron. "To your chamber, girl!"

"You shall be saved, Claudio," continued Caroline; "I will tear up the very floorings of the castle but I will find my way to your dungeon."

"Roland," cried the baron, "part them! Convey Caroline Mecklenburgh to her chamber."

"Off, villains!" cried Claudio, seizing Roland as he approached Caroline, and hurling him to the further end of the dungeon.

"Revenge!" shrieked Roland, drawing a dagger, and making a rush at Claudio.

"Hold!" cried Count Durlack, interposing his sword; "Roland, you know not what you do. You seek revenge�look at that skeleton!"

Roland sheathed his dagger, with a scowl at Claudio.

"Villain!" cried Claudio, "dare in my presence but to pollute the merest edge of the garment of this lady by thy touch, and, unarmed as I am, I will prove thy destruction."

279

"Away!" cried the baron.

"For all our sakes, dearest," said Claudio to Caroline, "go."

"I will," she said; "I�I am going, Claudio."

She moved as it were mechanically towards the door.

"Farewell�farewell!" cried Claudio.

"Farewell, lady�God bless thee!" said Maurice.

"Forward!" cried the baron.

Caroline seemed stupefied: she did not speak, but walked slowly through the doorway.

All passed from the dungeon but the hapless prisoners.

The baron stood for a moment upon the threshold of the gloomy abode. A demoniac smile curled his lips.

"Farewell, Claudio," he said; "rash fool, farewell�for ever!"

"Caroline�one word�but one word!" cried Claudio, alarmed all the unnatural calmness of her manner.

The door was immediately closed by the baron.

A cry from Caroline echoed through the vaulted passage. Claudio heard her shriek his name. He dashed against the door.

"Oh God!" he cried, "they are murdering her!"

"No, no," said Maurice, "think not so, Claudio."

Claudio heard him not, he had struck himself against the dungeon door with such force, that he now lay bleeding and insensible on the cold damp floor.

Shriek after shriek resounded through the vaulted passage, and Maurice felt for a moment a deep thankfulness that Claudio�s insensibility had saved him from the agony of those wild cries.

Suddenly, however, a new thought seemed to strike Maurice. Were those cries, he asked himself, the cries of Caroline? No, they could not be. They were the fearful shrieks and howls which he and Claudio had heard in that dread vaulted passage.

"Let the guilty tremble," he said. "If these awful sounds appal the innocent, what must be the feelings of such men as the Baron Zindorf and the Count Durlack, as they hear them?"

The Count Durlack had hardly replied by a mocking laugh to the cry of Caroline, after the dungeon door was closed, when her shriek was answered by one so loud, so awful, and so supernatural in its sound, that the count involuntarily laid his hand upon the baron�s arm, and turned ghastly pale.

The baron trembled violently, and endeavoured to stop his ears against

The awful sounds, which continued without intermission for full five minutes.

Even the stern and unimaginative ruffian Roland, whom nothing could ordinarily betray into an expression of feeling, looked dismayed, and the torch trembled in his grasp.

When the sounds ceased, a dead silence ensued for some time, a silence which each of the party seemed afraid to break.

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Caroline had for a moment doubted the evidence of her own ears, when first the sound broke upon her, but an instant�s attention convinced her that she was suffering from no delusion, and she pressed her hands to her head with the hope of shutting out cries of so awful a character.

The Count Durlack first summoned courage to break the dead silence which now reigned in the vaulted chamber, and in a low voice, he said to the baron:�

"What on earth can be the meaning of this? By the fiend, baron, you have most special, reason for leaving Zindorf Castle."

"Hush�hush!" said the baron, trembling so excessively that his teeth chattered, and he could scarcely articulate.

"Let us go," said Roland.

"Yes, let us go," whispered the baron, "I�I have before heard such sounds but never�never so�so awful as those were. Let us hasten, count.

"This is the most mysterious occurrence," remarked Count Durlack, "that ever I myself was a witness to. Upon any one else�s narration, I should unhesitatingly have disbelieved it altogether, or ascribed it to a diseased fancy."

"No, no," said the baron, "it is real,�too real, count. We cannot all be deceived. This castle has become a place of horror. The name of Zindorf will be a fear."

"Let us leave this passage," cried the count. "The daylight will dispel these gloomy and uncomfortable reflections."

The party now hastily left the place, and, preceded by Roland bearing the torch, they threaded the various passages till they came to the little staircase which led up to the trap-door in the turret.

"There hangs," said the baron, who, as his distance from the vaulted passage increased, seemed to regain his courage, "a heavy weight by this trap-door, count."

"I recollect it," answered Durlack. "I will assist you in its removal."

They slowly ascended the stairs.

"Ha!" cried the baron, "the weight is no longer here."

"Then, by this turret," said the count, "must he who is now your prisoner, have descended to the vaults."

"I see it all, now," cried the baron. "Fool that I was, when my suspicions were aroused that there was some one in the turret-chamber, to allow myself to be overcome by my superstitious terrors."

They pushed up the trap-door, and ascended to the chamber so lately occupied by Claudio and Maurice.

It was broad daylight. The sun shone brightly through the narrow windows on to the floor of the small apartment.

Had Caroline�s mind been at ease, she would have felt the greatest pleasure in the sudden transition from the darkness of the gloomy vaults of Zindorf Castle to the bright and joyous sunshine. As it was, she only