The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-11-26

1873
fights of stairs.--then passed through
several mouldy, damp rooms then down
a fight Of steps through long, empty
corridor; and then, successively descend
ing four winding staircases last oi
unhewn stone. The air grew moist and
dense, the odor oppressive.
"Where are you leading mo :" Flint
wood youtured to ask Of his mysterious
guido
"It matters not ~ was the brief, stern
reply. s. .t ..-.. :
They stopped before massive, iron
Idoor, strongly secured by bolts, fasten-
lug in grooves cut into the solid rock Of
the easing. Down into their inches fell
the rond"rous bars as the twain passed
Ifough the entrance, and the door clos
ed with dull, heavy bang.
The unknown pou>ed, and drew off the
bandagc from Horace's eyes
They stood in long, low apartment,
the sides Of which were of black brick
and the arched roof of dingy grey stone.
The dim light with the unknown car
ricd in his hand only served to make
morG hideous the dismal gloom of the
ploce
In the centre Of the room there was
an oblong box, of. uupolished oak, screw
ed together by heavy iron screws, and in
Igcneral'appearaDee not unlike coffin
y thrill Of superstitious horror passed
through Horaco's frame; he started
back few PAGES, still regarding with
distcndco eyes the Object before him.
Well :" he spoke iuquiringly
" That box, returned the unknows,
= contains treasure-of what form il
matters not to you suffice it that wish
1t placed here "-he pointed to a recess
in the angle Of the wall" and then you
are to build across the aperture a solid
line OF masonry-solid, mind you ! two.
tiers Of brick, breastwise, and coat of
strong plaster over the whole You
will find all the materials, necessary to
your work, here and at precisely four
o clock shall expect to have the job
Until that hour you will be
alone-theu | will come for you -
Horace drew back. 4" cannot un
less | know the contents Of that casket
l. may be that ! am employed-madc
the instrument Of some dreadful villainy.
indeed, cannot 90 to work in this blind
~ .- t' t
" Choose between it and death r'I
came through TIC clcnchcd teeth of the
unknown, aud drawing a revolver from
his breast, be held it in frigbtful prox
unity to the young mans forehead
" Y our decision !" His voice was low, !
but awiully clear and distinct.
" | consent ~ Horace spoke the words
shadow of quivering.
Enough and now l leave you to
yourself If your work is done to my
an additional hundred shall
reward you FOR the fright have given
you - He lifted an iron lamp which
hung suspended from the roof of the Gel
lar, and with a courteous " goodnight, :"
the unknowp withdrew, boiling the door
behind him ... r.0 1o
Horace was left alone in his silent and
chamber, lu I..
A strange awe stole over him, and
with the overmastering curiosi'y
be. felt 10 examine the sealed box
Come what would, he Determined TO have
a glimpse of -" the treasure " concealed
there, and Horace Flintwood, when once
resolves upon anything, however peril
Gus, was as immoveable as the eternaI
|, ok Of Gibraltar
: l.iog the great door upon the in
I'd wrth couple of rusty b'rs which
.ad probably been unused from time i'm
he drew from his pocket a
shall chisel, and applied il to
the screws upon the box. They yielded
one after another, and in short space 4
of time Flntwood drew off the oaken
cover. A sight met his eyes which well
nigh paralyzed him.
The body of girl, young and surpas-
ngly fair, robed in white linen, lay be-
lore him There was death upon her
brow, aud eter,al slumbor on ber lips !
Her long, chestnut hair swept bright and
slistening down her wax-whitc neck, and