Ernest looked about him with curiosity and surprise. It was something new to him and recalled a story he had once read in which a cave dwelling was described.

“Well, what do you think of it?” asked the outlaw, smiling.

“It is wonderful,” said Ernest.

“You did not know where I was bringing you?”

“No. It is a cave, is it not?”

“Well, it looks like it.”

“There are other rooms, are there not?”

“Yes, but this is my private apartment; my parlor, you may call it. This is my sleeping room.”

He drew aside the hangings on the farther side and revealed an inner chamber of less size.

On a bed Ernest’s attention was drawn to the figure of a sleeping boy—evidently the original of the picture which the outlaw had shown him.