opening through the
wall, dimly glimpsed beyond the berths. My eyes were not deceived;
here was a second wood-supported passage, unblocked so far as I could
perceive, but black as pitch. I held the flaming splinter aloft,
anxiously scanning the few feet thus revealed, but as it sputtered out,
the red ash dropping to the floor, I felt renewed confidence that I was
alone, unobserved. Whoever those assassins might be, they had
departed, leaving only the helpless dead behind. No doubt they would
come again to remove the bodies, to seek refuge in this hidden hole.
But for the moment I was there undiscovered, and must utilize each
precious instant for discoveries and escape. Wild recklessness, a
desire to break away from those grewsome surroundings, overcame all
caution. Swiftly as I dared in the dense blackness I crept forward,
feeling the smooth wall with eager fingers, my right hand still
nervously gripping the revolver butt. Then I came to the door, similar
to the other, although no groping about would reveal the catch, or
enable me to force it open.

Again I struck a match, guarding the infant flame with both hands
against a slight draught which threatened its extinction. There was no
sound, no warning of imminent danger. All my coolness had returned,
and my every thought centered on quickly discovering the lock of the
door. Yet, even in that instant, I caught glimpse of a shadow on the
wall, and made one swift, automatic effort to leap aside, dropping the
fatal match. The movement was too late! Something descended crashing
upon my head, and I pitched forward into unconsciousness.

CHAPTER XX

TAKEN PRISONER

It must be I lay there practically dead for some time. I had no
knowledge of being approached, or handled, and yet every pocket was
rifled, the revolver jerked from my hand, and my coat ripped from my
body. Like so much carrion the fellows had flung me back against the
wall, so as to make room for the swinging open of the door. I lay
there huddled up in shapeless disfigurement, blood staining the stones,
one arm twisted above my head. Consciousness returned so slowly, the
benumbed brain began to flicker into activity before a stiffened muscle
relaxed. I was awake, able to perceive dimly, and to realize my
situation, before my body responded to action. Returning life seemed
to sweep downward as the mind grasped the realities, bringing
consciousness of pain, throbbing head and aching musc