Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-05-07

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The unknown had risen to his feet and
stood silently and haughtily awaiting
Horace's reply. The young bricklayer
seemed much struck by the mysterious
proposal of his strange visitor.
"Could but know there was nothing
criminal, nothing"
at is enough that you have nothing to
do but follow my directions" said the
stranger. "All will be well with you, and
the pay shall be yours in advance, if you
require it," He flung down purse, well
filed with gold, upon the table. Horace's
eyes glistened, but he was silent
"There are one hundred sovereigns--
they are yours, if you consent" said the
stranger.
Gone hundred ~ exclaimed Horace =
'Impossiblei cannot accept-it looks
too much like bribe for committing some
horid crime--some--
"Hush my friend. I know your cir
cumstance," said the stranger, .'and your
services tonight will fully compensate me
for the trifing sum, Do you consentP"
Horace threw on his well-worn overcoat,
and taking with him some small impli-
ments Of his trade, he followed the un-
known to the waiting carriage. Once
within the vehicle, a handkerchief was
bound tightly over his eyes, and the night
of blindness settled over every object.
On and on rolled the ph@ton through
the town, until at last the wheels revolved
upon the hard turnpike road. By-and-by
the road became rough and stony, and
Horace knew they had left the town and
its envirous far behind them. Not word
had been exchanged between the young
mechanic and the unknown; and the man
who held the reins and guided the horses
was silent as the grave.
At length the carriage stopped, and
Horace was assisted to alight. He was
conducted up grassy path, and into some
sort OF building-he knew it by the con-
fined air and the heavy clang of doors be
hind him With the unknown holding
fast to his arm he ascended two fight of
stairs then passed through several mouldy,
damp rooms, then down fight of steps,
through long, empty corridor, and then
successfully descended four winding stair
cases--the last of unhewn stone. The air
grew moist and dense, the odor oppressive.
"Where are you leading meP" Horace
venturcd to ask of his mysterious guide.
at matters not, was the, stern reply,
They stopped before massive iron door,
strongly secured by bolts, fastening in
grooves, out far into the solid rock of the
easing. Down into their inches fell the
ponderous bars as the two passed through
the entrance, and the door closed with a
dull, heavy bang.
The unknown paused, and drew off the
bandage from Horace's eyes.
They stood in a long low apartment, the
sides of which we're brick, and the
arched roof of dingy grey stone. The
dim light which the unknown carried in his
hand only served to make more hideous
the distant gloom of the place.
In the centre of the room there was an
oblong box, of unpublished oak, screwed
together by heavy iron screws, and in
general appearance not unlike coffin
A thrill of superstitious horror passed
through Horace's frame he started back
a few PAGES, still regarding with distended
eyes the object before him. "Well?" he
said and he spoke inquiringly.
"That box" returned the unknown,
"contains a treasure--of what form it mat
ters not to you; suffice it that / wish il
placed there" and he pointed to recess
in an angle of the wall "and then you
are to build across the aperture, solid
line of masonry-solid, mind you 2--two
tires of bricks, breastwise, and coat Of
strong plaster over the whole. You will
find here all the materials necessary to
your work and at precisely four o'clock
shall expect to have the job completed
Uuntil that hour you will be alone--then
| will come for you"
Horace drew back. 81 cannot unless
know the contents of chest" he said, al
may be that I am omployed--madc the
instrument of.some dreadful yillainy, in
deed cannot so to work in this blind un
certainty
"Chose between it and death !" eamt
through the clenched tooth Of the unknown
and drawing a revolver from his breast, h
held it in a frightful proximity to th'
young mans forehead.
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