be ready to her hand. She
believed it more likely, however, that the passage led merely to
another chamber in the cliff. If such should be the case, and either
or both of the men were sleeping there, she could probably ascertain
the fact readily without being herself discovered, since here the
sound of the falls was muffled. Forthwith, she crept slowly within the
opening.

The progress was snail-like. The rough rock of the floor cut into her
knees cruelly, but she disregarded the pain, and went forward. She
tested each inch of the way by feeling over the stones with her hands,
on either side and along the floor. The narrowness of the passage,
which was hardly more than its height, rendered thorough examination
easy. She found no lateral openings, nor did the space grow
perceptibly larger. It suddenly occurred to her, after having advanced
steadily, though very slowly, for five minutes, that she could not
turn around. To return, she must back out. The idea appalled her, and
she meditated retreat. Then, while she was yet undecided, the hand
groping in front of her touched on stone above the floor level. A
short investigation proved that here the passage was barred. She could
feel space between the edges of the tunnel and the mass of stone that
closed it. Since there was no other point of egress, both men must
have passed through. Afterward, the opening had been closed by rolling
a heavy rock before it. She put her strength in pressure against the
stone, without avail. It was too heavy for her muscles. She realized
that by this simple means she was shut within her prison. It was
almost with relief that she began to creep backward--to be astounded
by the shortness of the way. It was scarcely a minute before she was
in the chamber again. To guard against surprise in the darkness, she
pushed the couch of boughs a little way along the wall, so that it
projected across the mouth of the tunnel. This done, she seated
herself on the branches, assured that no one could enter the cavern
without giving her warning. Even should she sleep, the thrusting away
of the boughs from the orifice must surely awaken her.

Nevertheless, Plutina did not expect the boon of sleep, though she
longed for it with aching intensity. In spite of this temporary
respite, she could see no way of escape from the outlaw's power,
except by death. The vagaries of a drunken mood had saved her
to-night: they could not save her for long. And, then, even while sh