White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-06-30

be hard, but let the thought that you ar
earning life. keep you up. Here, Michael
you take the lantern, and now follow me
all of you.
AS the stout man thus spoke, he Lex
the way to the further end of the cellar
where there was a sort of vault, fixed NJ
with shelves and small lockers, and with
in were some articles Of mouldy provis
ions. One Of these shelves he removed
and behind it there was crevice in thu
rock. Into this he ran the point of hi
sword, and directly the whole back par
of the vault swung back, revealing deer
chasm beyond, from which came cold
damp current of foul air.
81 found this accidentally" said the
butcher, while he was re-adjusting the
shelf which he had removed. 81 came
down here one day for a piece of cheese
and saw mouse run down behind this
shelf l drew away the shelf, and punch
ed my knife into the crevice, for l was
sure the mouse had jammed himself in
there. l had driven the knife in several
times, when something snapped at its
point, and Immediately after, this secret
door opened. OF course l explored the
place, and then l stuck it up again, de-
termined to keep it to myself, until
might have occasion to use it. 1t con-
meets with a number of cellars beyond
the river, and was probably built by some
secret league many years ago. You see
it comes in play. now. Pass, in Count
and you, too, Michael"
AS soon as they were all in, the butcher
drew the door to, after him, and then ia
king the lantern, he went ahead. The
way was an arched passage, not over a
yard wide in the part where they entered,
but ere long, they struck into a wide way,
in the part where the vault was deeper,
and more heavily built. The brick was
damp and Shiny, and the tagging was in
some places covered with water.
We are under the river, now" said
Simon, as they came to place where the
way took a downward curve, and where
they had to wade ankle deep in water
"But fear not, for we shall soon strike
higher footing"
This is wonderful" CALCULATED the
Count, gazing around upon the massive
masonry that surrounded him, and upon
which the struggling rays of the lamp fell
but dimly.
$50 it is" returned Simon. at must
have been built long before the city reach
ell its present limits. One of the passages
| have followed clear a way to the vaults
beneath the Louvre, and it was probably
built when that palace was only fortified
prison, without the walls Of the CITY,"
"And do you think many know of its
existence ?" asked Philip.
"Not many beside myself, if any"
answered the butcher. 81 have traversed
the passages several times, and l have
never yet been able to discover the marks
of human feet. 1t is strange affair, and
the days are coming when many a life
might be saved by its knowledge, for ]
am confident that it connects with hun
dred different houses, at least. But l
know not whom to tell, for l know not
who could use it."
1t was damp. disagreeable way COM
pared with ordinary means of transit. but
our friends thought not of that. They
were saving themselves, and this was a
very paradise compared with the prison
of the Louvre or the Inquisition.
After an hours travel, the party reach
cd place where the passage branched of
at an angle of about forty-fve degrees.
They had passed several smaller branches
which ran off at right angles. and had
naturally kept the straight way, but here
Simon hesitated moment.
This left-hand passage, said he, "leads
outside of the walls Of the city, and
thither think we had better go. You
will be safer there"
eyes," quickly responded Adele, "let
us leave the city, if possible"
Then, so be it." returned Simon
and so saying. he turned into the passage
to the left, and strobe on with long, qnick
strides.
At length the small passages which
had led off on either hand, disappeared,
and the rest of the way was only one
continuous, unbroken vault. AT the end
of another hour they came to a point
where the way branched off into seven
small avenues, and the butcher stopped
again.
awe are far out of the city, now" he
said. but | know not where we shall
strike-though there is not much danger
of hitting upon enemies out here"
"Have you never been here before =
asked the Count.
"Yes-once. / then took the centre
passage, and opened the door at the end
of it, but finding myself in a cellar vel
stored with provisions, I Immediately re-
closed the door, and came back"
Then why not take that passage now
It is as likely to be the right one as any"
every true. Well try it."
The middle passage was accordingly
taken, and at the end of ten minutes, they
came to a solid face Of granite. Near thu
wall to the right, appeared small knot
of rusty iron, which worked in groove
some six inches long. and upon this 81
mon placed his hand. He gave it smar
pull-it seeming to work with a spring
and as soon as it was fully back. the who'll
face of rock which formed the end of tn
passage, swung slowly inward, and in I
moment more, our travellers found them
selves in a deep. wide cellar. the wall
and shelves Of which were garnished witt
bread, meat and milk. and various othe
kinds of provisions. As soon as the.