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I was sitting in one of our arh with her two pretty fists To this end she had rolled up the sleeves of her splendid gown; and thus I, hearkening to her story, htily to kiss their velvety s aze fro arments with her rich attire and proud and radiant beauty; she was again the great lady and far removed above such poor wretch as I, for all her pitiful tenderness

" and so when I plunged froht to see this dear place again or the blessed sun! And I sankO deep--deep! Then, Martin, I seeht in some current, far down there in the darkness, that whirled and tossed reat cavern sloping to the water, and there this current threw h dead, Martin"

"God be thanked!" says I fervently

"And there I lay all night, Martin, very sick and fearful When day careat cave opened into a se in the rock, and because there was none other way for me, I followed this--and then--O Martin!"

"What?" quoth I, leaning forward

"Have you ever been to the palace at Versailles, Martin!"

"Once, as a boy with my father"

"Well, Martin, the cave--the hall I came to at last was more splendid than any Versailles can show And then I knew that I had found--Black Bartlemy's Treasure!"

"Ha!" quoth I "And is it indeed so great?"

"Beyond description!" says she, clasping her floury hands and turning oneyes "I have held in my hands, jewels--O by the handful! Great pearls and diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires--beyond price!"

"Aye!" I nodded, "But was this all?"

"All, Martin?" says she, staring

"Why, according to Adam there should be all manner of stores," says I, "powder and shot, tools--a carpenter's chest--"

"They are all there, with provisions of every kind; as witness this flour, Martin, but I heeded only these wondrous jewels!" Hereupon she turns to her work again, describing to me the splendour of these precious stones and the wonder of Bartleiven such foolish treasure a thousand ti the play of her round ar, whereupon she turns, all anxious questioning