Page:Interesting stories.pdf/16

16 that thou art an excellent woman. I Thou shall lead the life of a duchess."

" You will be still better pleased with me, interrupted she, laughing," when I shew you the last but principal hoard of my tyrant. I can easily perceive that your spies have informed you of his absence; but tell me, have they also told you that he received the day before yesterday, four thousand dollars?"

“ Not a syllable ! where are they?" " Under lock and key. You would never have found the iron chest in which they are, were I leagued with you -Follow me comrades! we have made clear, work, above ground; let us see not what we can do under ground. Follow me to the cellar."

The robbers followed her; but took the precaution to guard against any sudden surprise, posting a sentinel at the entrance of the cellar, which we secured by a strong iron trap door. The Baroness pretended to take no notice of it, leading the hand onwards to one of the most remote recesses of spacious cellar. Having unlocked the door, large iron chest was discovered in a corner " Here !" said she, giving a bunch of keys to the captain, “try whether you can open it, and take its contents in lieu of a dowry, if you can obtain the consent of your companions."

The robber tried one key after another; but none fitted the key hole. He grew impatient, am the Baroness affected to be still more so."

"Let me try, sad she. I hope. I shall by more successful. I am fearful lest the dawn of morning--Hah! hah! I now conceive who neither you nor myself can open it. Excuse my