My ridiculous heart gave a great leap. "This very afternoon," I said, managing my voice very well. She arose. "Now I must scurry away. It would not do for Mr. Bangs to find me here with you. He would be shocked." I walked beside her to the chair that stood below the portrait of Ludwig the Red, and took her hand to assist her in stepping upon it. "I sincerely hope this chap you're going to marry, Countess, may be the best fellow in the world," said I, still clasping her hand. She had one foot on the chair as she half-turned to face me. "He is the best fellow in the world," she said. I gulped. "I can't tell you how happy I shall be if you--if you find real happiness. You deserve happiness--and love." She gripped my hand fiercely. "I want to be happy! I want to be loved! Oh, I want to be loved!" she cried, so passionately that I turned away, unwilling to be a witness to this outburst of feeling on her part. She slipped her hand out of mine and a second later was through the frame. I had a fleeting glimpse of a slim, adorable ankle. "Good-bye," she called back in a voice that seemed strangely choked. The spring in the gold mirror clicked. A draft of air struck me in the face. She was gone. "What an infernal fool you've been," I said to myself as I stood there staring at the black hole in the wall. Then, I gently, even caressingly swung old Ludwig the Red into place. There was another click. The incident was closed. A very few words are sufficient to cover the expedition in quest of the legendary treasures of the long dead Barons. Mr. Bangs accompanied us. Britton carried a lantern and the three Schmicks went along as guides. We found nothing but cobwebs. "Conrad," said I, as we emerged from the last of the underground chambers, "tell me the truth: was there ever such a thing as buried treasure in this abominable hole?" "Yes, mein herr," he replied, with an apologetic grin; "but I think it was discovered three years ago by Count Hohendahl and Count Tarnowsy." We stared at him. "The deuce you say!" cried I, with a quick glance at the Countess. She appeared to be as much surprised as I. "They searched for a month," explained the old man, guiltily. "They found something in the walls of the second tier. I cannot say what it was, but they were very, very happy, my lady." He now addressed her. "It was at the time they went away and did not return for three weeks, if you remember the time." "Remember it!" she cried bitterly. "Too well, Conrad." She turned to me. "We had been married less than two months, Mr. Smart." I smiled rather grimly. "Count Tarnowsy appears to have had a great run of luck in those days." It was a mean remark and I regretted it instantly. To my surprise she smiled--perhaps patiently--and immediately afterward invited Mr. Bangs and me to dine with her that evening. She also asked Mr. Poopendyke later on. * * * * * * *