The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-10
From the Chapel Roof.
IBelgravia.1

arms stretched out on the table, and were
ruthlessly reused by their companions.
Number One was bustling about the
room, blaming everybody but himself
for letting the fire out Number Five
was on his hands and knees putting away
at the deadened coke. No fire, no coffee;
and the necessity for stimulant of some
sort in view Of the days work was keen
ly felt.
Number One, roofing among the crock
cry and wreck Of last nights supper.
came upon parcel of sugar. Taking
two or three Jumps, he deftly inserted
them where the coke still smouldered,
and presently the fire was burning, the
kettle was simmering, and breakfast be-
came more than a possibility. They
made hasty but abundant meal and be-
gan to remove all trace of their occupan-
cy Of the room. Everything was slowed
away in the tool-chests about the room,
the plank was taken off the trestles and
laid along the wall.
Then Number One produced from one
of his pockets small case, about eight
Inches long and three broad. 1t looked
in the half light of the shaded room
something like the case of an opera-glass.
His example was followed by his COM
rades, and presently there sounded in
succession five clicks, not loud enough
for the snap of pistol, but uncommonly
loud and distinct.
"All right~ said Number One care
fully placing the instrument in his breast
pocket.
"All right" said the rest in chorus,
land without another word they filed out
after Number One.
Leading the way, he reached the stair
case and began to ascend till he stepped
outon the upper roof of the chapel. 1t was
now II o'clock, and, though they were
above any height at which they might
be overlooked, it was necessary to OBJ
serve precaution lest they might be seen
from below or from the town. They
crept cautiously along, walking in the gut
ter Of the roof and protected on the right
by the battlements. Thus they advanced
till they came to the gable end. Here
was another door that seemed to open
into darkness. Number One, who had
never hesitated in his movements, en-
tered, and was followed by his four con-
federates. They stood for moment till
their eyes grew accustomed to the semi
darkness. The room in which they now
found themselves was composed OF bare
beams. The floor seemed to be series
of pitfalls. Pathways composed of great
beams ran across it, and on these a man
might walk, though on either side were
cavities, how deep could not be told in
the shimmering light that came through
the open door. After awhile the stran'
gers discerned through the gloom other
lights, apparently coming through the
floor.
Number One going down on his hands
and knees carefully traversed the beam
followed by his companions. A few feet
on, this beam was crossed by another
beam, this again by others. The party
breaking up as it were at crossroads
each took his own path, crawling slowly
over dust that lay fully an inch thick
and so fine as to be almost impalpabl'
to the touch. Each man seemed to mak'
his way for one of the rays of light tina
pierced the floor, and bending his heat
till it touched the floor, looked down.
"I'm bit Mixed" said Number One
after intently gazing for a momen
through the aperture. "Here's the Her
aid right under me with the toes of hi
boots turned up to his knees. l thinl
the altar must be further up. Bear ava.
with your backs to the light of th
door,"
Suddenly the blare Of trumpets fillec
the darkened chamber. The burst o
music seemed to spring up from beneath
the adventures, and Number Three
starting at the sudden sound, fell off tn
beam, and with a shrek rolled away int
black space.
"He's only fallen into one of the crey
4ces," said Number One; "give him
hand up."
And Number Three, sneezing violent
". was drawn up out Of the dust-hole.
"Ah, here we are. Here's right owe
the altar. A hole apiece; and, Numbe
Three, mind you do not drop any dus
down. Give yourself good shakin
before you stoop."
/ Hurriedly gathering in the directio
whence the voice came, the five figure
stooped and bent their heads down unit
they again touched the floor.
"SplendidP
Then rising on their knees each ma
put his hand into his breast pocket, ant
amid the thick gloom through which tn
bright March morning outside vainl
strove to thrust shafts Of light, thes
five figures could be plainly seen each t
take out an instrument similar to ths
which the leader Of the band had exam
ined when in the room below. The tr
umphant blare Of the trumpets had die
away, and the air was tremulous wit
the solemn tones of the organ breakir
into the stirring strains from the marc
from "Athalie." But, though the mus
seemed to shake the rafters with mel
dious thunder, it could not deaden I'll
sound of the five distinct "clicks
which followed upon gesture by whie
each of the five figures seemed to fix
pleamine barrel in the aperture in Il