"But you have written to tell him we are rescued."
"Yes, I have written, but I have not been able to bribe any one to post my letter yet. Oh, my poor little darling, don't you understand? We are prisoners!"
"Prisoners!" gasped the girl, horrified.
"Yes, Miss Nita, or perhaps I ought to say Mrs. Mountcastle. Would you like it better?"
"Yes, for it seems to bring me nearer to my darling husband," cried Nita, blushing warmly. Then her lip quivered. "Oh, why does Donald Kayne hold us prisoners?" she cried.
"That is very easy to answer, Mrs. Mountcastle. It is all about that emerald ring you are wearing. He says he will never let us go free from this house until you confess how you come to be wearing that serpent ring."
Nita groaned, and looked down with loathing eyes at the baleful jewel that hung loosely on her wasted hand.
"Lizette, how thin I have grown! I must have been ill some time."
"It is two weeks since your wedding-night, and we landed here nine or ten days ago."