"Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before low door, which he unlocked Within was small, square room, three of us could hardly get at Ferguson remained outside, colonel ushered me in

"' now,' said he, 'actually hydraulic press, and it particularly unpleasant thing if anyone were it on The ceiling small chamber is really the end descending piston, and it comes down force of many tons metal floor small lateral columns of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and multiply it manner familiar The machine goes readily enough, but some stiffness working of it, and it has lost little force Perhaps the goodness to look it over and to show us how set it right '

" the lamp , and I examined the machine very thoroughly indeed gigantic one, and capable of exercising enormous pressure When I passed outside, however, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, at once whishing sound that slight leakage, which allowed regurgitation of water through side cylinders An examination showed that india-rubber bands round the head of driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite the socket along which it worked clearly the cause loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical questions how they should proceed to set it right When I had made it clear , I returned main chamber machine and took good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity obvious at glance story fuller's-earth merest fabrication, absurd to suppose that so powerful an engine designed for so inadequate purpose The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of large iron trough, and when to examine it I crust of metallic deposit all over it I had stooped and was scraping exactly what when I heard muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face colonel looking down at me

"' you doing there ? ' he asked

" angry at having been tricked by so elaborate story which he had told me ' admiring your fuller's-earth,' said I; ' that better able to advise you your machine if what the exact purpose was used '

"The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness speech His face set hard, and baleful light sprang up grey eyes

"' ,' said he, 'you shall know all machine ' step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key lock I rushed towards it and pulled handle, but quite secure, and give least to my kicks and shoves 'Hello ! ' I yelled 'Hello ! Colonel ! Let me out ! '

"And then suddenly silence I heard sound which sent my heart into my mouth It clank levers swish leaking cylinder He had set the engine at work The lamp still stood floor where I had placed it when examining the trough By its light black ceiling was coming down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than myself, with force within minute grind me to shapeless pulp I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dragged with my nails lock I implored the colonel to let me out, but the remorseless clanking levers drowned my cries The ceiling was only foot or two above my head, and with my hand upraised feel its hard, rough surface Then it flashed through my mind pain death would depend position I met it If I lay on my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered dreadful snap Easier the other way, perhaps; and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up deadly black shadow wavering down upon me ? Already unable to stand erect, when my eye caught something which brought gush of hope back to my heart

" said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the walls were of wood As last hurried glance around, thin line of yellow light between two boards, which broadened and broadened as small panel was pushed backward For an instant hardly believe that here was indeed door which led away from death The next instant I threw myself through, and lay half-fainting other side The panel had closed again behind me, but the crash lamp, and afterwards the clang two slabs of metal, told me how narrow my escape

" recalled to myself by frantic plucking at my wrist, and myself lying stone floor of narrow corridor, while woman bent over me and tugged at me with her , while she held candle in her right It same good friend whose warning I had so foolishly rejected

"'Come ! come ! ' she cried breathlessly ' here in moment see that there Oh, waste the so-precious time, but come ! '

" , , scorn her advice I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down winding stair The latter led to another broad passage, and just reached it we heard the sound of running feet shouting of two voices, one answering the other floor we were and one beneath My guide stopped and looked about her like one at her wit's end Then she threw open door which led into bedroom, window the moon was shining brightly

"' your only chance,' said she ' high, but it that jump it '

"As she spoke light sprang into view further end passage, and the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rushing forward with lantern in one hand and weapon like butcher's cleaver other I rushed across the bedroom, flung open the window, and looked out How quiet and sweet and wholesome the garden looked moonlight, and it more than thirty feet down I clambered out sill, but I hesitated to jump until heard what passed between my saviour ruffian who pursued me If she were ill-used, then at any risks determined back to her assistance The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round him and tried to hold him back

"'Fritz ! Fritz ! ' she cried in English, 'remember your promise last time You said it again silent ! Oh, silent ! '

"' mad, Elise ! ' he shouted, struggling to break away from her ' the ruin of us He has seen Let me pass, ! ' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing window, cut at me heavy weapon I had let myself go, and was hanging hands sill, when his blow fell conscious of dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell garden below

" shaken but not hurt fall; so I picked myself up and rushed off bushes as hard as run, for I understood that far from being out of danger yet Suddenly, however, as I ran, deadly dizziness and sickness came over me I glanced down at my hand, throbbing painfully, and then, first time, saw that my thumb cut off and blood was pouring from my wound I endeavoured to tie my handkerchief round it, but there came sudden buzzing in my ears, and next moment I fell in dead faint rose-bushes

"How long I remained unconscious tell It must very , moon had sunk, and bright morning was breaking when to myself My clothes were all sodden with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thumb The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the particulars night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet feeling that hardly yet be safe from my pursuers But to my astonishment, when to look round me, neither house nor garden were seen I lying in an angle hedge close highroad, and just little lower down was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, the very station at which I had arrived previous night Were it not ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed during those dreadful hours an evil dream