The Castle Of The Shadows

he Commandant. "He is a number. But

again. "And the on

arks? He was called, in

elief she felt. But she dared show no emotion. "I suppose

ighest to t

g cases-quite romances. Do tell us

y cases which might interest you;

any young men of good family who, per

. He is at Ducos. But perhaps the most notable example of the type you desire is a young scion of French and English aristocracy whom we have here, on the Ile N

d of him"! But her presence of mind had not left her, as a few mo

Roger and George were watching her from behind half-closed lids. If the

nswered, "and one forgets things of thi

beautiful young actress, with whom he was in love-jealousy alleged as the cause. However, powerfu

gitimately take in the hero of such a tale. "This story ought to make a

ween twenty-eight and nine. You can see his portrait if you like, mademoiselle, at the Bureau of Anthropometry, where e

ther and me have an interview with him; think how it would help our book! Ah, monsieur

ured visitors was very explicit. They were to have privileges scarcely ever granted be

persuasively a

ict, displaced for Dalahaide because of carelessness and inaccuracy, was jealous of the favour shown the aristocrat (ah, I assure you they know all about each other's affairs and circumstances here!), contrived to make a rough knife out of

us?" Roger hastened to inquire, see

though not what he would choose, has not been unhealthful. But the doctor, with whom I have discussed his case, says that the wish to r

Sir Roger, his eye

in him, believing that he was not at bottom such a desperate character as the surveillants had grown to consider him. I did what I could to soften his lot, having him introduced to more congenial work in the bureau; but this was not until he had known three months in the Black Cell. Some men lose their minds in the Cachot Noir, though its horrors have been mitigated of late years. But Dalahaide's brain did not fail; and he has pr

the Bertillon system. At last, however, they were once more in the carriage which had been kept waiting for them; but even then they must still exercise patience, for a Disciplinary Camp was on the road along which they must pass, and to betray too much eagerness to reach their journey's end (when avowedly they had come to New C

he sun, and saw beyond a green and shaded garden, jewelled w

said the Commandant. "He must have read at least half a dozen times an old copy of

ger which Virginia and her brother had apparently lost sight of, although long ago it had been discussed by them all. It had also been provided against; but the suggestion

when this day was still in the future, that if they should succeed in their first step, and gain access to Maxime Dalahaide, Roger must keep in the background until his mind had been prepared by Virginia and George Trent for what was to come. The other two, as strangers to him, could approach the prisoner without risk. B

t would seem strange and even ungracious to the Commandant, who was taking so much trouble to entertain them, and to "seem strange"

verandahs. There were gray figures sitting or lounging there also, but the Commandant said that Number 12

, his face upturned-a man in the sordid prison gray. Virginia Beverly grew giddy, and, brave as she had been so far, for an instant she feared that sh

n," he said in a low voice, for the convict, whose fa

stepped on a stone and twisted my foot. Is

inguished it for Virginia. The strong, clear features of the man looked, as he lay there asleep, as if they had been carved from old ivory; the lines were sharpened, there were hollows in the cheeks and under the black lines of the lashes. Even in sleep

spoken words of the two in front that Maxime Dalahaide was found. He drew back s

hing ones of the portrait, opened and looked straight into Virginia's. For a few seconds their gaze remained fixed, as if the

g way to see New Caledonia," said the Comm

is face quivered. She guessed how he must suffer at having to gratify-as he supposed-the morbid c

e. She felt that she should be less embarrassed in her questions, she said, if no one listened. With a smile the old Frenc

to take a few photographs, wherever they are permitted"; and he touched the camera, slung over his shoulder, of which he had already made ostentatious use on several occasions. "May I have a snapshot of the hospital, with all tho

dozen yards without falling down, and most of them are well contented as they are. But, if any one should be mad enough to attempt a dash for

ht much; but he said nothing. Quietly he prepared to take the suggested photograph, and the hand that held the camera did no

elming bitterness. He was a Thing, of whom this exquisite, fresh young girl wished to ask a few questions, so that she might go back to her world, thousands of miles away, and say,

and self-respect, she could ask what she pleased,

eginning which he had scornfully expected, that a flash of

may feel. Perhaps we are watched. You are Maxime Dalahaide. We haven't come here for

thout volition. The man did not believe his own ears.

ds of your sister's," Virginia answered. "A man you

azedly. "It is like an echo from

t you see him, until you had been warned. Now, we must arrange everything in a few minut

e been ill. I don't understand things as quickly as I used. Escape! You have come

aise her voice above a low monotone. "Free, on our yac

me Dalahaide's dark eyes. "Home?" he echo

ia. "George, tell him our plan

Trent. "After that, you're all right. We can show

by calling to memory all of Shakespeare that I had ever learned. I don't say 'impossible' because I am afraid of that again. I have passed beyond fear of anything. What have I left to dread? I know the worst; I have lived through the worst that can befall a man. But in that dreadful blackness, where my

d your blood runs slow," said George Trent.

the oil in my lamp of life burns low, and so much the better for me. What I want now is to get it all over as soon as may be. You are kind-you are so good to me th

e, you mean!"

ve a chance to be a free man-even if not a happy man-to stay here, and let your enemy

of an enemy, and a plot against me?" he asked. "That poor girl was murdered; but I have never thought th

acht now, in the harbour of Noumea. When you come,

a thousand times that sigh

the whole mystery, and learn how to prove your own

veins. "If it were possible to prove it-at this late day!" he exclaimed. "But even if it were-you forget the tremendous difficulties in th

ght," said

t only should I be brought back, but I should have the misery of knowing that I had been the cause of bringing my brave friends into trouble. They would fire

said Trent. "Roger Broom and I will take jolly good care of

one door of escape for me opening-death; and instead of turning my back I walked toward it. I've let my strength down. I haven't eaten or slept much, and I began

t would kill her." Trent glanced at Virginia, as if expecting her to add encouraging arguments to his; but she was silent, her eyes alone appealing to Dalahaide. George Trent was her ha

," the prisoner exclaimed. "If I had only my

omebody is coming," he whispered. "For all our sakes, don't fail us, Dalahaide. We shall look for you to-night-there," and he nodded toward the water. "Make your way to t

come, if we wait a

, with Roger Broom by his side, appeared r

finish your interview, and has it been satisf

you," the girl answered. "I hope," she added, "to make the very best use of it