“You have chosen wisely,” said Gray. “Hear me. My own life hangs upon a single thread. If you had persevered in obstinately refusing to side with me, I should have killed you for my own preservation, and cast your lifeless body into the same place of secrecy where we will soon repair to.” “Where mean you?” “That dark cell in which you have passed some gloomy hours. The entrance to it is by a panel in the wainscotting of the room below, which fits so truly that none, not previously aware of it, would suspect its existence. When I came first here I found it by an accident. If we are found there, we shall be found together and by any crying to me, you would benefit nothing. All I require of you now is silence.” Gray now again walked to the window, and this time he started back with a loud cry. “They are coming,” he said; “look, Ada, be satisfied that neither of these men in any degree resemble him you so much wish to see.” Ada sprang to the window, and at some considerable distance off, crossing the fields, towards the house, she saw three men who were strangers to her. “You see they are armed,” said Gray. “They are—I know them not. How can they be enemies of mine?” “Follow me!” shrieked Gray. “There is not time for another word.” As he spoke he took a pistol from his breast, and turned to Ada. “You know the use and powers of this weapon. So much as stir, unless I bid you, when we are hiding, or speak even in the lowest whisper, except in answer to me, and I will assuredly take your life.” Ada did not answer, and after regarding her fixedly for one moment to see what impression he had made upon her mind, Gray hastily left the room, saying,— “Follow quickly. We have time enough, but none to spare.” He led her to the crevice in the wall of which the aperture opened, leading to the damp vault, in which she had been before. “The ladder is on the inner side,” he said, as he placed a chair to assist her in reaching the opening. “Descend, while I make some other arrangements in the room.” He hastily left the room, locking the door behind him. Ada stood upon the chair and looked into the dismal vault, from whence a damp earthy smell arose, and sighed deeply. “Alas!” she said, “must I obey this man? Is he so desperate that he would really take my life, or does he only threaten that which he dare not perform. No—he is a villain, and he would kill me, I am sure that my life is of value to him, but with such a man the feeling of self overcomes all other considerations, he will kill me if I obey him not now. My heart tells me he will. Albert, for thy sake I will do what I can to preserve my life. Just Heaven, direct and aid me!” She passed through the opening in the wall, and slowly descended the ladder into the dismal darkness of the vault. CHAPTER XLIV. The Search.—The Confession.—The Strange Report.—An Awful Dilemma.