Part 41 (1/2)

The first time he ay for several hours, and returned exhausted and e found any exit other than the one by which we had entered

He had ventured through that far enough to see a group of Incas on watch at the other end They had seen hi after him, but he had returned without injury, and at the entrance into the cavern where we lay they had halted abruptly

The second tione out more than half an hour, and the instant I saw his face when he returned I knehat had happened

But I was not in the best of humor; his terror appeared to me to be ridiculously childish, and I said so in no uncertain terer

”You don't know, you don't knoas all he said in answer to er I tell you we've got to get out of here You don't knoful--”

”Yes,” said Desiree, looking at me

”But I can scarcely walk,” I objected

”True,” said Harry ”I know But we can help you There must be another exit, and we'll start now”

”Very well,” I said quite calmly; and I picked up one of the spears which we had carried with us, and, rising to ainst the wall near which I lay

But Harry sawacross and snatched the spear froround a dozen feet away

”Are you crazy?” he shouted angrily

”No,” I answered; ”but I am little better, and I doubt if I shall be

Come--why not? I hinder you and become bored with myself”

”You blame me,” he said bitterly; ”but I tell you you don't know Very well--we stay You ive me your proo soon,” I answered, ”or starve to death

Perhaps in another twenty-four hours I shall be stronger Come, Desiree; will that satisfy you?”

She did not answer; her back was turned to us as she stood gazing across the stream into the depths of the cavern There was a curious tenseness in her attitude that aze, and what I saw left e, black, indistinct forh the darkness

Harry caught sight of it at the samehis face with his hands, and called to Desiree and me to do likewise

Desiree obeyed; I had risen to ht ahead, ready for a combat if it were not a physical one I will not say that a certain feeling of dread did not rise in my heart, but I intended to show Desiree and Harry the childishness of their terror

Nothing could be seen but the uncertain outline of the i odor that had before all but suffocatedstronger with each second that passed Suddenly the eyes appeared--two glowing orbs of fire that caught aze and held it as with a chain

I did not atteaze with another as steadfast I was telling er” My nerves centered throbbingly back of ave the came closer and the eyes seereat effort I brought ripping the ground for strength