Upon turning back, however, he found not Minnie, but another small maiden near him. He darted again into the Star Chamber just as the fleet steps of Minnie Dare ran toward him. Not, however, in time to prevent his discerning among the shadows Eldon Brand hurrying to her side.
Catching the girl's tender arm in a vise-like grip, the man hissed in her ear,—
"By Heaven, my girl, if you don't stop philandering in the dark with that young scoundrel, I'll pitch him into the first pit I see! You belong to me, and I'll kill you before another shall have you!"
With a cry of mingled pain and terror the girl broke from him. Eldon Brand, who had seen the gesture without hearing the words, sprung with uplifted arm toward the man. Ere he could strike he was seized from behind by strong arms, and a voice urged,—
"Don't, Brand! For Heaven's sake, let that ruffian alone till we get out of this. You will frighten the ladies, get yourself into the newspapers, and play the deuce generally. Come on—they are calling in front."
Hammond had seen this little by-play, and would not soon forget it; but at present he strode on after the girl.
"Why don't you fellows keep up?" grumbled a voice as the delinquents entered the Chapel.
"Did anybody fall? I thought I heard a cry back there," said the tall young lady peering suspiciously into the group; but all seemed serene in the fitful torchlight.
In the Chapel huge stalactites and stalagmites meet each other to form arm-chairs, thrones, alcoves, pulpits, and a double niche conspicuous among its surroundings. Standing within this niche a restless pair exclaimed: