The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-10-21


words with startling emphasis, and you
must do it ~ ...
sWell sir, work would be very accep,a
bic to me-l need. the money bad en-.
ough, but midnight is rather a singular
time to call upon The services Of brick.
layer" - i-. ;.,. -.....
"Granted-but l ask il, nevertheless
aud still farther yon must bo blind
folded, ard conveyed to the place where
you are to libor 10 close carriage. and
return TO your lodgings in the same way
Moreover. you mustswear never toreyeal
single thing which may occur to you
this night, to anj living creature p;
The unknown had risen TO bis feet. and
stood silently aud haughtily awaiting
Horace's reply .'.r 0..''t
The Joung brieklayer seemed much
struck by the mysterious proposition of
his strange visitor. I'D.
''Cculd I but know that there was
nothing criminal, uo,hing-"
a at is enough that you have nothing
to do but follow my directions All will
be we'll with you and the pay shall DO
yours in advance, il you require it," He
flung down arutse we'll filed with gold
upon the table fHorace's eyes glistened
but hs was silent .... .lt,-.
"There ale one hundred dollars they
are yours, it you consent .....,
"One HUNDRED dollars impossible
| canuot accept--it looks to much like
bribe for committing soHs horrid crime
-some-"
Hush my friend, | know your cir
cumstances. and your services tonight
will fully ccmpensa'e me for the trifling
sum Do ycu consent 2"' 7t
Horace threw Cd bis well wora overeoat
and taking with him some small imple.
ments Of his trade, be followed the 10.
known to the waiting carriage Once
within the vehicle handker chief was
bound tightly over his eyes, and The
night Of blindness settled over every oh.
ject.
On, and on rolled the pheton, over
Boynton's Bridge and past the canal toll
gate, over the brick pavements, oot up
on the plank road, until a, last the wheels
revolved upon the hard gravel Of turn.
pike. Bye-and bye, the way became
rough aud stoney, and Horace knew sha,
they had left the city aud its eovirons
far behind them. Not word had been
exchanged between the young mechanic
and the unknown; and the man who held
the reins aud guided the horses, was ST
lent as the grave.
AT length the carriage stopped, and
Horace was assisted to aIight. He was
conducted up a grassy path, atd into
some sort Of q bu,lding-he knew it by
the confined air and the heavy clahg of
doors behind him. With the unknown
holding fast to his arm, he ascerded two
fights Of stairs-then passed through
several mouldy damp rooms then down
q fight Of steps through .oug, empty
corridor and then successfully desceh
ded four winding stairoases the last Of
unhewn stone. The air grew, moist and
dense, the odor oppressive.
Where are you lie ding met" Flint.
wood ventured to ask Of his mysterious
guide. +A u .iH4t ".,
1T matters not 'waA the brief, stern
reply. l ~
They stopped before a massive, iron
door strongly secured by bolts, fastening 10
grooves cut far into the solid rock OF the
easing. Down into their inches fell the
ponderous bars as the twain passed
through the entrance, and the door clos.
ed to With a dull, heavy bang,
The unknown paused, and drew of the
bandage from Horscsis eyes
They stood in u loog, Apar rtment, the
sides Of which were of black brick, aud
the arched roof Of dingy gIey stone.
The dim ligh, which the unknown Car.
ried in bis hand ouly served TO nake
more hidsous the dismal gloom of the
place, ......0 ..,-e ...
10 the centre of the room there was an
oblong box, Of uupolisbel oak. screwed
together by heavy iron screws, aud 10
general appearance not nuke coffin.
A thrill Of superstition horror passed
through Horace's frame he started back
few PAGES still regarding with distsn-
ded eyes the objsep before him .u-. .-
'Well2" he spoke, inquiriDgiy t.
Tia. box, !" returned the unknown.
'coutains a treasure--of what form il,
matters not TO you suffice it that | wish
1t placed hsrsp-he pointed to a recess
in an angle of the wall--'aad thea you
are to build across the spariure solid
line of masonry-solij, mind you two
tiers of brick, breastwiss, and a coat Of
strong plaster over the wholsi You will
find all the materisls, necessary to yoar
work here aud at recisely four o'clock !
shall expect to bave the job complete
Until ttat hour sou will be aions-thsn
will come for sou ~ 49, 'i.s
Horace drew back. 81 cannot, unless
know the contents of that casket II
may be that sm employed-mads the
instrument of some dreadful vlllainy 10
deed, indeed, eaunot 20 to work in this
blind uucer tsinty'i ,,oe.'',b .ii ~
"Ctoose between it aud death p came
tLroug the clenched teeth Of the uu
known. and drawing a revolver from bis
breast, be held il ia frightful proximity
to the young mans forehead 1'"f
Your decision ~ His Voice was low
but aufully clear and distinct,
Il c,useut p Horace spoke The word