Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-16

prloe Tor committing some horrid crime;
some 4n e
Hush, my friend, Isknow your circum
stances, and your services to night will
fully compensate me for the triaing sum.
Do you consent.
Horace threw on his well worn over
coat, and taking with him some small i'm.
PIGMENTS OF his trade, he followed the
unknown 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 over
Boynton Bridge, past the canal toll gate
over the brick pavements out npon the
plank road until at last the wheels revolv
ed upon the hard gravel of a turnpike.
Bye n bye, the way become rough and
stoney. and Horace knew that they had
lett the city and its enyirons far behind
them. Not a word had been exchanged
between the young mechanic and the un
known: and the ma who held the rains
and guided the horses, was silent as the
grave.
At length the carriage stopped, and
Horace was assisted to light. He was
conducted up a grassy path, and into some
sort of a building-he knew it by the
confined air and the heavy clang of doors
behind him. With the unknown holding
fast of his arm assembled two fights Of
stairs-then passed through several moul.
dy rooms; then down a fight of steps;
then . long, empty corridor and then,
successfully descending four winding
staircases-the last OF unhewn stone. The
air grew most dense. the odor oppressive.
Where are you leading me 2" Flint.
wood ventured to ask of his mysterious
guide.
~itsmatters note vas the brief, stern
They stopped before a massive iron
door, strongly secured by bolts, fastening
in grooves cut into the solid rock of the
casing. Down into their inches fell the
ponderous bars as the twain passed
through the entrance, and the door closed
with q dull, heavy bang.
The unknown paused, and drew off the
bandage from Horace's eyes.
They stood in long. low apartment,
the sides Of which we're of black brick, and
the larched roof ofdingy grey stone. The
dim light which the unknown carried in
his hand only served to make more hide.
Gus the dismal gloom Of the place.
In the center of the room there was an
Eobiong box, Of unpolished oak, screwed
together by heavy iron screws, and ir
general appearance mot unlike a coffin. 4
thrill OF superstitious horror passed
through Horace's frame; he started back a
few paces, still regarding with distended
eyes the object before him.
9" Welt he spoke enqpiringly.
THAT box returned the unknown,
Contains . Ltreasure-of what form il
matters not you; suffice it that / want ii
placed here he painted TO a recess in the
angle ofathe wall, "and then you are to
build across the aperture aosolid wall OF
masonry-solid, mind you'll two tiers Of
brick crosswise, aud acoat of strong plas,
ter over the whole I! You will find ali the
materials necessary for your work here
q at precisely four o'clock I shall ex.
pect to have the job complete. Until thai
hour you will be alone-then | will CONF
for you. s~As tf ~ aa ea
sHHorAc6drew back. /" / cannot, unless
l Know the contents OF the casketl II may
DC that | am employed-made the instru-
ment Of some dreadful yillainy! indeed
lnaeeds ] canaot go to work in this blind
uncertainty Toe (.
choose between it and death!" COM
thro' the clenched teeth Of the unknown
and adkAwing q revolver from his breast
he heidIt in sfrightfal proximity to the
young mans forehead.
our decision ~ His voice was low
but awfully clear and distinct.
consent |" Horace spoke the words
without q shawow of quivering.
Enough and now / leave you to your
sell. 1fSy0ur work is done to my salts
factiolf additional hundred shall re
ward you for the rights I have givel
youT" He lifted an iron lamp that hun.
suspended from the roof Of the cellar, ant
with 2 courteous good night the un
known withdrew, baglttingg the door behiInt
Horace was left alone in his silent ar,
mysterioasfch chamber.
Aslraage awe stole over him, and ming
LED with the over mastering curiosity b
felt to axamine the sealed box. Com
what would, he determined to have
glimpse Of" the treasure" concealed thore
and Horace Fintwood, when once resols
ed npon anything howeyergperiions wa
as i~mmoveable as the eternal Rock q
Gibralter.
Securing the great door upon the il
side, with a couple Of rusty bars whic
had probably been unused from time in
memorial, he drew from his pocket a ms
sons small chisel, and applied it to th
screws on the box. They yielded on
after another, and in a short space Of tim
Flintw0eds drew off the oaken cover.
sight met his eyes which we'll might pa
lalize him.