"
"If not you, whom can I trust?"
"I am acting for your good."
To Oscar the woman explained after they had entered the house that she
had her brother deceived on a false "steer," but she added: "You know it
is to save him."
"Oh, certainly."
Oscar was led down the stairs, led to the basement and then to the
cellar. A lantern was produced and a door was disclosed, showing that an
excavation had been made and a room built under the yard of the house.
All the arrangements were very cunningly made. When the door was opened
our hero hesitated and the woman asked:
"What is the matter?"
In a tone of fearfulness Oscar said:
"I have been betrayed."
"Betrayed?" repeated the woman.
"Yes."
"By whom?"
"_You_."
The woman laughed and said:
"But I thought you were a man of courage. Go on; I will go with you."
Oscar delayed a moment, making some remark, until he heard a signal--a
very tiny signal, but it was big and loud in its suggestions to him. He
stepped into the passage and a moment later a second door opened. The
secret room was disclosed and at least a dozen masked men who had been
seated at a long table arose. At the instant, as our hero recoiled, the
cold muzzles of two revolvers were placed on either cheek and a voice
said:
"Go ahead; you can't back out now.
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