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led in a direction exactly opposite that by which he had previously

effected an entrance They were in the vault, he knew, by the darkness,

though they had descended no stair-case, and he was just wondering

if their guide was notsome treachery by such a circuitous

route, when suddenly a tumult of voices, and uproar, and confusion, uide opened a door, revealing a

dark passage, illuht, and which Sir Nor to the Black Chaain

the duke paused, and turned round to the face

"Gentlemen, I do conjure you to let me enter before you do! I tell you

they will murder me the very instant they discover I have led you here!"

"That would be a great pity!" said the count; "and the galloill be

cheated of one of its brightest ornaments! That is your den of thieves,

I suppose, frouided you safely to it, surely I deserve this

trifling boon"

"Trifling, do you call it," interposed Sir Norman, "to let you make

your escape, as you ht! No, no; we are too old birds to be caught with such chaff; and

though the inforets off scot-free, your services deserve no

such boon; for we could have found our ithout your help! On with

you, Sir Robber; and if your coht that they have only anticipated the executioner by a

few days!"