rsh voice was heard speaking
fiercely. Then all was still.

"Hah!" whispered Sir Edward, "at last. Keep all lights covered, Rugg,
and go and bring up the rest of the men."

Dan grunted, and they heard his steps as they stood listening. Twice
over there came the hoarse sound of laughter, but Sir Morton did not
return, and Sir Edward in his impatience was about to order a movement
forward, now that all his men were at hand, when from out of the black
darkness, close by where Mark stood listening with every nerve upon the
strain, the lad heard a slight rustling, then a faint panting sound as
of hasty breathing, and a low voice whispered: "Is any one there?
Please speak."

"Yes, yes," whispered Mark, and he stepped forward quickly with
outstretching hands, which came in contact with one as cold as ice.

"Oh!" gasped its owner, as another hand felt for him and clung to him.
"I know your voice, Mark Eden. I am Minnie Darley: pray, pray come and
help my father; he is too weak to come back to you."

The voice trailed off into a wail.

"Hush! Don't, pray don't cry," whispered Mark. "Can you guide us to
where your father is?"

"Yes; oh yes."

"In the darkness?"

"Yes, I can find my way."

"Can you lead us, my child, to where these ruffians are?" said Sir
Edward, who had approached. "We must surprise and make them prisoners
first."

"Yes--no, you will kill them," whispered the girl. "It is too
treacherous and dreadful."

"My child," said Sir Edward gently, and he stretched his hand forward
till he could touch the girl's head, upon which he softly laid his hand;
"I have a girl as young and fair as you, and Heaven forbid that she
should ever be called upon to perform such an act. But think: it is to
save your father's life; to save you from the hands of these treacherous
ruffians. You must be our guide."

There was a dead silence for a few moments, and Sir Edward felt his hand
taken and held to two soft lips.

"Yes," came gently; "it is to save my poor father. He will die in this
terrible place; and I must die too. You do not know, and they would
easily kill you if you went without. Yes, I will guide you to where
they are. I feel that I must."

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

THE WASPS' NEST.

There was a sound in the darkness as if several men had drawn a deep
breath together, and then for a few moments all was very still, so still
that Mark started when he heard his father's voice, and felt strange a