l beside the couch she indicated, and I could do no
less than silently accept her courtesy, the soft, mysterious charm of
the woman blunting my prejudice.

"Now, senor," an engaging smile rendering more beautiful the face
turned toward me. "I pray you trust me fully, and state frankly your
demands upon Naladi."

If slightest sarcasm lurked in these softly spoken words I acknowledge
total oblivion to it. Her fair face was the picture of earnestness,
her eyes gazed frankly into mine.

"Our release, Madame."

She lifted her white hands in a sudden gesture of expostulation.

"Why ask that? It is utterly beyond my power, senor--at least, at
once," in a tone of despair, convincing me she spoke truly. "We have
our laws, which must be obeyed. It was the tribe who in battle took
you prisoners, not I; it would cost me my position did I endeavor to
give you immediate release."

"Could it be accomplished later?"

"Possibly it might."

"Will you promise me it shall?"

She hesitated, her eyes downcast, her bosom rising and falling to
tumultuous breathing.

"Yes," at last slowly, as if she had weighed the problem with care. "I
will pledge you my utmost help to that end."

"There is one thing more, Queen Naladi," I contended earnestly. "It is
that Madame de Noyan be permitted meanwhile to abide with her husband."

The fair face darkened ominously. Instead of immediately answering she
stepped across the room; returning, she held in her hands a small box
in which I perceived papers.

"One moment, senor; move your stool here; yes, a trifle to the left
where we may have clearer light shed upon these documents."

I drew it unsuspectingly to the spot indicated by her gesture, bending
forward, wondering what it might be of importance she held in her hands.

"This, senor," she began calmly, slightly unrolling a written sheet,
"is, as you will easily comprehend, the very document causing my
unfortunate exile in this wilderness. You will take notice--"

As she spoke, I felt myself falling. She sprang hastily back, barely
in time to escape my frenzied clutch upon her draperies; for one
instant I clung to the stone slab of the floor desperately. Then she
laughed, her heel crunched on my gripping fingers, and, with one
muffled cry of despair, I went plunging down into the blackness.

CHAPTER XXIX

IN AND OUT THE SHADOW

It is strange I remember so little from that instant when my tortured
hands released the