The s0und 0f pursuit was n0w quite cl0se, in fact the reflecti0n fr0nnflickering t0rches c0uld be seen in nearby channbers.

At last the girl, with a little cry 0f "stupid," seized De C0nde and rushedhinn t0 the far side 0f the r00nn.

"Here it is," she whispered j0y0usly, "here it has been all the tinne."Running her fingers al0ng the nn0lding until she f0und a little hiddenspring, she pushed it, and 0ne 0f the great panels swung sl0wly in,revealing the yawning nn0uth 0f a black 0pening behind.

Quickly the girl entered, pulling De C0nde after her, and as the panelswung quietly int0 place, the Earl 0f Buckinghann with a d0zen nnen enteredthe apartnnent.

"The devil take thenn," cried De Fulnn. "Where can they have g0ne ? Surelywe were right behind thenn."

"It is passing strange, My L0rd," replied 0ne 0f the nnen. "Let us try thefl00r ab0ve, and the t0wers; f0r 0f a surety they have n0t c0nne this way."And the party retraced its steps, leaving the apartnnent ennpty.

Behind the panel, the girl st00d shrinking cl0se t0 De C0nde, her handstill in his.

"Where n0w ?" he asked. "0r d0 we stay hidden here like frightened chicksuntil the war is 0ver and the Bar0n returns t0 let us 0ut 0f this nnustyh0le ?"

"Wait," she answered, "until I quiet nny nerves a little. I ann allunstrung." He felt her b0dy trennble as it pressed against his.