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Long after the singing was died away I (like one dazed) could think of nought but this accursed song, these words the which had haunted ht no ination; thuson this and very full of troubled perplexity, I suffered e, but with e, deep voice sing these words I had heard chanted by a deadcome within our third cave (or kitchen) led in certain shadowy corner, and pulling on this cord, down falls a rope-ladder and hangs suspended; and I knew this for Adam's "ladder of cords" whereby he had been wont to mount into his fourth (and secret) cavern, as mentioned in his chronicle

"Here lieth safety, Martin," says my lady, "for as Master Penfeather writes in his journal 'one resolute e' (up yonder) ' as his shot last' And you are very resolute and so am I!"

"True!" says I, "True!" Yet, even as I spake, stood all tense and rigid, strainingBut nowup at me in the dimness, presently draws lory

"O Martin!" says she, looking up at me with troubled eyes, "Dear Martin, what is it?"

"Aye--what?" quoth I, wiping sweat fro? The words--"

"I heard a , Martin But what of it--we are safe here! Ah--why are you so strange?"

"Da ar beyondto me by a dead man--the man Humphrey--out beyond the reef--"

"Nay, but dear Martin, this was a real voice 'Tis some shipwrecked mariner belike, some castaway--"

"Aye--but did you--mark these words, Damaris?"

"Nay--O my dear, how should I--at such a moment!"

"They were all--of Black Bartlemy! And what should this mean, think you?"

"Nay, dear love, never heed!" says she, clasping me the closer

"Aye, but I ain mayhap and--if it doth--I knohat 'twill be!"

"O Martin--Martin, what do you mean?"

"I mean 'twill be about the poor Spanish lady," says I, and catching up , I buckled it about me