He gave his consent to the wedding, which took place two months later, at Nice. But in the following year a series of sensational events transpired. Keeping his word and cherishing his hatred, M. d'Hergemont in his turn kidnapped the child born of the Vorski marriage and set sail in a small yacht which he had bought not long before.
The sea was rough. The yacht foundered within sight of the Italian coast. The four sailors who formed the crew were picked up by a fishing-boat. According to their evidence M. d'Hergemont and the child had disappeared amid the waves.
When Véronique received the proof of their death, she entered a Carmelite convent.
These are the facts which, fourteen years later, were to lead to the most frightful and extraordinary adventure, a perfectly authentic adventure, though certain details, at first sight, assume a more or less fabulous aspect. But the war has complicated existence to such an extent that events which happen outside it, such as those related in the following narrative, borrow something abnormal, illogical and at times miraculous from the greater tragedy. It needs all the dazzling light of truth to restore to those events the character of a reality which, when all is said, is simple enough.
CONTENTS
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I | The Deserted Cabin | [11] |
| II | On the Edge of the Atlantic | [25] |
| III | Vorski's Son | [43] |
| IV | The Poor People of Sarek | [67] |
| V | "Four Women Crucified" | [87] |
| VI | All's Well | [113] |
| VII | François and Stéphane | [133] |
| VIII | Anguish | [149] |
| IX | The Death-Chamber | [167] |
| X | The Escape | [181] |
| XI | The Scourge of God | [200] |
| XII | The Ascent of Golgotha | [221] |
| XIII | "Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani!" | [243] |
| XIV | The Ancient Druid | [262] |
| XV | The Hall of the Underground Sacrifices | [283] |
| XVI | The Hall of the Kings of Bohemia | [309] |
| XVII | "Cruel Prince, Obeying Destiny" | [328] |
| XVIII | The God-Stone | [349] |