"You are mistaken," rejoined Reeks. "I have come with Mr. Thorneycroft to deliver you." "Mr. Thorneycroft has come too late. He has lost his daughter," replied Auriol. "What has happened to her?" demanded Reeks. "She is in the power of the Fiend," replied Auriol. "I know she is detained by Cyprian Rougemont," said Reeks. "But what has befallen her?" "She has become like his other victims--like _my_ victims!" cried Auriol distractedly. "Do not despair," rejoined Reeks. "She may yet be saved." "Saved! how?" cried Auriol. "All is over." "So it may seem to you," rejoined Reeks; "but you are the victim of delusion." "Oh that I could think so!" exclaimed Auriol. "But no--I saw her fall into the pit. I beheld her veiled figure rise from it. I witnessed her signature to the fatal scroll. There could be no illusion in what I then beheld." "Despite all this, you will see her again," said Reeks. "Who are you who give me this promise?" asked Auriol. "As I have already declared, a friend," replied Reeks. "Are you human?" "As yourself." "Then you seek in vain to struggle with the powers of darkness," said Auriol. "I have no fear of Cyprian Rougemont," rejoined Reeks, with a laugh. "Your voice seems familiar to me," said Auriol. "Tell me who you are?" "You shall know anon," replied Reeks. "But, hist!--we are interrupted. Some one approaches." CHAPTER II THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS More than ten minutes had elapsed since Reeks' departure, and Mr. Thorneycroft, who had hitherto had some difficulty in repressing his anger, now began to give vent to it in muttered threats and complaints. His impatience was shared by the Tinker, who, stepping up to Ginger, said-- "Wot the devil can Mr. Reeks be about? I hope nuffin' has happened to him." "Don't mention a certain gent's name here," remarked Ginger; "or if you do, treat it vith proper respect." "Pshaw!" exclaimed the Tinker impatiently; "I don't like a man stayin' avay in this manner. It looks suspicious. I wotes ve goes and sees arter him. Ve can leave the old gent to take a keviet nap by himself. Don't disturb yourself, sir. Ve'll only jist giv' a look about us, and then come back." "Stay where you are, rascal!" cried Thorneycroft angrily. "I won't be left. Stay where you are, I command you!" "Vell, ve've got a noo captain, I'm a-thinkin'," said the Tinker, winking at the others. "Ve've no vish to disobleege you, sir. I'll only jist peep out into the hall, and see if Mr. Reeks is anyvhere thereabouts. Vy, zounds!" he added, as he tried the door, "it's locked!" "What's locked?" cried Thorneycroft in dismay. "The door, to be sure," replied the Tinker. "Ve're prisoners." "O Lord, you don't say so!" cried the iron-merchant in an agony of fright. "What will become of us?" A roar of laughter from the others converted his terror into fury.