, and then conducted him
slowly through the mazes of the grove.

In this manner they proceeded for nearly a quarter of an hour, when they
stopped, and Stephano, quitting Manuel's hand, said in a low tone,
"Stand still just where you are for a moment, while I give the signal,
and do not move a single step--for it is a dangerous neighborhood."

About half a minute elapsed, during which it struck Manuel that he heard
a bell ring far--far under ground. The sound was very faint: but still
he felt convinced that he did hear it, and that it appeared to come from
the bowels of the earth.

But he had not much time for reflection; for Stephano once more took his
hand, saying, "You are now about to descend a flight of steps."

They proceeded downward together for some distance, when the steps
ceased, and they pursued their way on a flat surface of pavement; but
the echoes of their footsteps convinced the marquis that he was treading
a subterranean cavern or passage.

Presently a huge door, sounding as if it were made of iron, was closed
behind them, and Stephano exchanged a few words in a whisper with some
one who spoke to him at that point. Then they descended a few more
steps, and at the bottom another door was banged heavily, when they had
passed its threshold,--the echoes resounding like pistol-shots
throughout the place.

For a few minutes more did they proceed on another level-paved floor:
and then the gurgling rush of a rapid stream met the ears of the
marquis.

"Be careful in following me," said Stephano; "for you are about to cross
a narrow bridge, my lord--and one false step is destruction."

Slowly they passed over the bridge, which seemed to be a single plank of
about thirty feet in length and excessively narrow, he had no doubt,
both from the caution which he had received and the elasticity of that
dangerous pathway.

On the opposite side, the level-paved surface was continued; and at the
expiration of another minute, heavy folding-doors closed behind them.

"Take off the bandage, my lord," said Stephano, as he untied the knot
which fastened the scarf at the back of the young nobleman's head.

The Marquis of Orsini gladly availed himself of this permission; and
when the bandage fell from his eyes, he found himself in a spacious
cavern, paved with marble, hung with rich tapestry, and lighted by four
chandeliers of massive silver.

Six pillars of crystal supported the roof, and rendered the luster of
the