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"What is it?" she asks kindly, going up to Florence

Miss Dellance at Dora's terrified countenance, deter the new-comer into their confidence

In a feords she explains all that has taken place, and their suspicions Ethel, though paling beneath the horror and surprise occasioned by the recital, does not lose her self-possession

"I will go with you," she volunteers "But, letthis search without a man If--if indeed we are still in ti he really is secreted in that terrible rooh to help hi all this time, think hoeak he will be!"

"Oh, what a wretched picture you conjure up!" exclaiht, and now tell me who you think can best be depended upon in this crisis"

"I a with intense earnestness, "that, if you would not wood, he would be both safe and useful"

As this suggestion e to the captain, and in a very few minutes he is with them, and is made acquainted with their hopes and fears

Silently, cautiously, without any light, but carrying two so down to the corridor where is the door that leads to the secret staircase

Turning the handle of this door, Captain Ringwood discovers that it is locked, but, nothing daunted, he pulls it so violently backward and forward that the lock, rusty with age, gives way, and leaves the passage beyond open to the at the foot of the staircase, they close the door carefully behind theht the two la hearts, up the stairs

The second door is reached, and now nothing reht of steps and open the fatal door

Their hearts at this trying moment almost fail them They look into one another's blanched faces, and look there in vain for hope At last Ringwood, touching Ethel's are--all may yet be well!"

He moves toward the stone steps, and they follow hi theive them any more time for reflection or dread of what may yet be in store for them, throws it open