Thereupon he returned. His manly heart was throbbing fast--violently, even painfully. The sense of loneliness was oppressive. Had his purpose been less important, he would certainly have turned and fled. But too much was at stake. Before him there arose the vision of that vast treasure--thirty thousand pounds--and its attraction was irresistible. He must go forward; and now was the time to win, or never. He stood for a moment gathering up his courage. What if Rita should be concealed somewhere up there! Such was the awful thought that suddenly occurred to him and made him quail. The idea suggested itself of going back to Harry and getting his aid. But no, that would never do. He would let it be supposed that these bonds had been taken from him. If he were to tell his secret to Harry, all would be lost. No; he must go, and alone. Once more he went to the door and listened. All was still. He now nerved himself up for a supreme effort. If he were to delay any longer, some of them would be sure to return. Now or never. He struck a match against the stone floor. It kindled. In another moment the torch was blazing brightly; and, holding this in one hand, Russell used his other hand to clamber up the projecting stones. Up he went, higher and higher. And now he reached the opening, and his knee was resting upon it, and he was just about to raise the torch so as to peer in. At that instant there was a sudden rush, and a spring, that sent a thrill of sharp agony to his heart. A pair of strong arms were flung about him. The torch fell, and the smoke blinded his eyes. He felt himself dragged forward helplessly into the gloomy hole, while a fierce whisper hissed into his despairing ears words that made him almost die out of sheer fright-- "Hah! base traidor, I haffa you! I haffa you! You salla not scappar from Rita again!" At this Russell gave a wild, long, piercing yell, and fainted. CHAPTER LVII. IN WHICH BROOKE AND TALBOT PREPARE TO BID EACH OTHER AN ETERNAL FAREWELL. On turning away from that eventful meeting with old friends, both Brooke and Talbot felt very greatly depressed, and neither could say a word. This feeling was experienced by both to an equal degree; and neither of them could see any possible way out of this new difficulty that could commend itself to an honorable mind. The conversation with Harry had quite overwhelmed Talbot. He had been so eager to explain, and the explanations had shown such fidelity on his part, he had seemed so true, and his vindication had been so complete, that she had not one word to say. For the fact remained plain before her mind that the cause of his failing to receive her at Barcelona was his very eagerness to meet her which had sent him flying in all haste to England. If he had ever been in fault, the fault was one which had arisen from excess of love. To a generous mind like Talbot's this was a most distressing thought.