Doctor. But I am as much in the dark as ever. Were all the jewels of Golconda awaiting me on my solution of this enigma, I am quite sure that I should be unable to earn them. Mr. Legrand. And yet the solution is not difficult. These characters form a cipher; that is to say, they convey a meaning. Doctor. And you really solved it? Mr. Legrand. Readily; I have solved others much more difficult. I have always taken interest in such riddles. Doctor. I suppose you missed the right spot, in the first attempt at digging, through Jupiter's stupidity in letting the bug fall through the right instead of through the left eye of the skull. Mr. Legrand. Precisely. But for my conviction that treasure was here somewhere actually buried, we might have had all our labor in vain. Doctor. Now there is only one point which puzzles me. What are we to make of the skeleton found in the hole? Mr. Legrand. I am no more able to answer that question than you. It is clear that Kidd - if he secreted this treasure-must have had assistance. But when the labor was ended, he may have thought it best to remove all sharers in his secret. From "The Gold-bug," by Edgar Allan Poe (adapted). A SCENE AT KENILWORTH CASTLE Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, had married secretly Amy Robsart. He was generally thought to be Queen Elizabeth's favorite courtier, and she had shown him so many marks of her favor that he feared her anger if she should know of his secret marriage. The Queen and her court had come to Kenilworth, Lord Leicester's castle, for the May revels. Amy, Leicester's wife, had also come to Kenilworth, having escaped from the house in Cumnor Place, where she was attended by Richard Varney, Lord Leicester's servant. The earl meant to tell the Queen of his marriage, but she found it out for herself; for as she was strolling about the estate, she suddenly came upon Amy, who was vainly trying to hide in a grotto from the approaching party. Characters SCENE I Queen Elizabeth Amy, Earl of Leicester's wife Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester Earl of Shrewsbury Earl of Hunsdon Sir Richard Varney, Leicester's servant Queen. How now, fair nymph of this lovely grotto, art thou spellbound and struck with dumbness by the wicked enchanter whom men term Fear? We are his sworn enemy, maiden, and can reverse his charm. Speak, we command thee. [Amy falls on her knees before the Queen in an agony of fear.] What may this mean? This is a stronger passion than suits the occasion. Stand up, damsel; what wouldst thou have with us? Amy. Your protection, madam. Queen. Each daughter of England has it while she is worthy of it. Why, and in what, do you care for protection? Amy (frightened). Alas! I know not. The sick man must tell his malady to the physician. Nor are we accustomed to ask questions so oft, without receiving request I implore I beseech your gracious protection-againstagainst — one, Varney. Queen. What, Varney -Sir Richard Varney the servant of Lord Leicester! are you to him, or he to you? Amy. I-I-was his prisoner ticed on my life- and I broke forth Queen. To throw thyself on doubtless. Thou shalt have it, What, damsel, -and he prac art worthy; for we will sift this matter to the uttermost. Thou art Amy, daughter of Sir Hugh Robsart, of Lidcote Hall. Amy. Forgive me forgive me― most gracious princess! Queen. For what should I forgive thee, silly wench? For being the daughter of thine own father? Thou art brain-sick, surely. Well, I see I must wring the story from thee by inches. Thou didst deceive thine old and honored father, — thy look confesses it, — and married this same Varney. Amy (springing to her feet). No, madam, no; I am not the wretch you think me. I am not the wife of that villain! I am not the wife of Varney! Queen. Why, woman, I see thou canst talk fast enough. Tell me, woman, whose wife art thou? Speak out, and be speedy. Thou wert better dally with a lioness than with Elizabeth. Amy. The Earl of Leicester knows it all. Queen. The Earl of Leicester! The Earl of Leicester! Woman, he takes no keep of such things as thou art. Thou art slandering the noblest lord and the truest-hearted gentleman in England! But thou shalt have thy hearing, and that in his presence. Come with me; come with me instantly! [The Queen seizes Amy by the arm and walks quickly toward the Earl of Leicester.] Where is my Lord of Leicester? Stand forth, my Lord of Leicester! Knowest thou this woman? [Leicester kneels low before Elizabeth.] Leicester, could I think thou hast practiced on me, -on me, thy sovereign, base and ungrateful deception, by all that is holy, false lord, that head of |