"As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "this
is a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot may
come on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter." "Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker. "Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman;
"so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard." "If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find me
ungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant. "I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker--"that's my lowest." "And mine, too," said the Sandman. "I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger. "I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friends
must make their own bargins." "Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set out
the better." "Are you armed?" asked Ginger. "I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft. "All right, then--ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "So
let's be off." As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the rough
greatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turned
round. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face of
this individual was covered with a piece of black crape. "Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving. "A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His name
is Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise." "He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft. "I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks,
in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemn
pledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it." "I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always----"

"No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear to
keep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you;
and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained." "Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger. "Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr.
Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious." "The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consent
to have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach." "Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant. "You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arrive
at our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance of
success." "Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree." "All then is clearly understood," said Reeks, "and we can now set out." Upon this, Ginger conducted Mr. Thorneycroft to the coach, and as soon
as the latter got into it, tied a handkerchief tightly over his eyes. In
this state Mr. Thorneycroft heard the Tinker and the Sandman take their
places near him, but not remarking the voice of Reeks, concluded that he
must have got outside. The next moment, the coach was put in motion, and rattled over the
stones at a rapid pace. It made many turns; but at length proceeded
steadily onwards, while from the profound silence around, and the
greater freshness of the air, Mr. Thorneycroft began to fancy they had
gained the country. Not a word was spoken by any one during the ride. After a while, the coach stopped, the door was opened, and Mr.
Thorneycroft was helped out. The iron-merchant expected his bandage
would now be removed, but he was mistaken, for Reeks, taking his arm,
drew him along at a quick pace. As they advanced, the iron-merchant's
conductor whispered him to be cautious, and, at the same time, made him
keep close to a wall. A door was presently opened, and as soon as the
party had passed through, it closed. The bandage was then removed from Thorneycroft's eyes, and he found
himself in a large and apparently neglected garden. Though the sky was
cloudy, there was light enough to enable him to distinguish that they
were near an old dilapidated mansion. "We are now arrived," said Reeks to the iron-merchant, "and you will
have need of all your resolution." "I will deliver her, or perish in the attempt," said Thorneycroft,
taking out his pistols. The others drew their cutlasses. "Now then, follow me," said Reeks, "and act as I direct." With this he struck into an alley formed by thick hedges of privet,
which brought them to the back part of the house. Passing through a
door, he entered the yard, and creeping cautiously along the wall,
reached a low window, which he contrived to open without noise. He then
passed through it, and was followed by the others. CHAPTER XII

THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY


We shall now return to the night of Ebba's seizure by the mysterious
stranger. Though almost deprived of consciousness by terror, the poor
girl could distinguish, from the movements of her captor, that she was
borne down a flight of steps, or some steep descent, and then for a
considerable distance along level ground. She was next placed in a
carriage, which was driven with great swiftness, and though it was
impossible to conjecture in what direction she was conveyed, it seemed
to her terrified imagination as if she were hurried down a precipice,
and she expected every moment to be dashed in pieces. At length the
vehicle stopped, and she was lifted out of it, and carried along a
winding passage; after which, the creaking of hinges announced that a
door was opened. Having passed through it, she was deposited on a bench,
when, fright overmastering her, her senses completely forsook her. On recovering, she found herself seated on a fauteuil covered with black
velvet, in the midst of a gloomy chamber of vast extent, while beside
her, and supporting her from falling, stood the mysterious and terrible
stranger. He held a large goblet filled with some potent liquid to her
lips, and compelled her to swallow a portion of it. The powerful
stimulant revived her, but, at the same time, produced a strange
excitement, against which she struggled with all her power. Her
persecutor again held the goblet towards her, while a sardonic smile
played upon his features. "Drink!" he cried; "it will restore you, and you have much to go
through." Ebba mechanically took the cup, and raised it to her lips, but noticing
the stranger's glance of exultation, dashed it to the ground. "You have acted foolishly," he said sternly; "the potion would have done
you good." Withdrawing her eyes from his gaze, which she felt exercised an
irresistible influence over her, Ebba gazed fearfully round the chamber. It was vast and gloomy, and seemed like the interior of a sepulchre--the
walls and ceiling being formed of black marble, while the floor was
paved with the same material. Not far from where she sat, on an estrade,
approached by a couple of steps, stood a table covered with black
velvet, on which was placed an immense lamp, fashioned like an imp
supporting a caldron on his outstretched wings.