Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-29
Gates aud Sketthes.
THE MYSTERIOUS OLD CABINET.
Continued from yesterday,


living or dead. who could tell--we left
the door, and proceeded to break into the
middle compartment from the wings. The
grand old workmanship resisted: there
seemed no weak point, no crevice. no pos
sibility of breaking into the huge thing
without fear of harm to that which it held
locked and fast, within a few inches OF
our light and air and living life. done to
! death by bit Of clever machinery. the
work of dead hand. would not think
of beautiful Mary Lester as she might be,
must be. if another hour went by. All
/ this time, no questions were asked. |
never knew till afterwards how it had all
/ happened; how her father. only an hour
or so earlier exhibiting his wonderful
cabinet to a connolsseur in such matters.
/ had gone upstairs with his friend to show
! the kew he priced so much, leaving the
cabinet door open, intending to return
| how Mary and the children, a younger
brother and sister, had come inland how
the unusual sight of the open door had
attracted them-how she looked in, and
| told the little ones she had not stood in
side it 500 since she was as little as they
were: and laughing, tried to stand in the
| old place II am not too big even now,
am p. she said and the children ran to
see, and pushing the doors against her.
the spring caught, and shut her in with
death and suffocation; while they went
shouting to the others that sister Mary
was''in there shut up and ''they couldn't
let her out"
No. they could not let her out. Mr..
Lester and his friend had gone off with
the key, to show it to some one who had
doubted its date-so it appeared from one
of the boys who now came in: he had
heard them talking on the stairs as they
went out.
He said: Jarvis knows nothing about
| it he has never seen it., " said the boy.
sobbing
II heard him. know he said Jarvis
That will be Col. Jarvis, in Charles
Street, ma'am." said Davis. Maybe, if
we sent there
There were voices outside, and Barker
looked in, with white face of horror.
| Its master coming in" she said in a
sort of whisper.
We all stood back. Who would tell
him ? Who was to say, your girl is be-
hind that immovable door
But the boy. frightened enough at his
father at other times, went up to him
trying to speak quietly: 1.-The key, sir.
Quick, for Gods sakel -
Key What-what's all this? Good
God, sir, "-seizing servant by the col
lar, and flinging him to one side like a
cat-'do you know what you're doing,
meddling with that cabinet? Why. it's
worth thousands! God bless me, what
does all this mean ?'' He was purple
with anger Don't stand there staring.
Sarah Heriot," he Numbered, you're
nota fool; be good enough to explain
this-this-"
went up to him sick with horror.
The key is wanted,' managed to say.
There is some one inside-dying,
"Some one-dying-in there? Who
What? Who is it. girl? ?" He shook me
by the shoulder till WINGED with pain.
80, the key, the key! Never mind
ANYTHING else, sir Only open it quick,
and lose no more time"
He looked sharply round. Mrs. Lester
and Kate were standing at the door, with
their terrified miserable faces. He took
in the rest of us with glance.
where's Mary ?" he said suddenly.
No one spoke. "Why the devil don't
YOU answer me? Who is shut in there /?
How could any one be there? Trash ~
But his face was growing ashy gray, and
his lips whiteued as he spoke. ''Ah, my
God, never shut the doors 1t is not
Mary. not my girl that's'-and he point
ed with shaking hand to the heavy door.
"And--i haven't the-key.'
He made one rush into the street; the
servants standing about were swept right
1oft bo Thorn down 1r-
chard into Oxford street. They could see
the hatless, fleeing figure disappearing in
the distance.
Mrs. Lester came into the hall. The
doct r and others were busy about poor
Jack March, who lay on the dining room
sofa, with closed eyes, happily uncon-
scious. The timId mistress of the house
stood by the staircase, her face, her voice
her whole appearance changed and aged
in the last hour.
"He has gone for the KEY, he can't be
back" she said. speaking like a woman
in dream, mot for hall an hour" She
looked round stupidity and smiled. He
will kill me you know; but the cabinet
shall be broken open-broken to pieces
Never mind Fancy waiting for the key!'
She laughed. Break it down, | tell you
| give the order. Do you hear meP''
Two workmen came from side room
where fresh and useless attempt had
been made to remove the panel without
injury to the front or to the imprisoned
girl.
1--WE might loosen the wood work, and
strike it out, mum; and 60 on taking ou
screws same time"
do it."
Sharp blows upon chisels now. and sew
eral screws removed from lock and hinges
Strike at the hinges with the Ratchet,
came Mrs. Testers altered voice, hard anC
wiry, usually so low and hesitating. "Cu
them through; it can be done-it SHALL
They struck with will; the Ratchet
edge was pressed to the weakest part, ant
heavy blows from mallet upon that
The hatchet-edge was turned. and din
made some of the work injured aDC
broken-but no more.
"Cut through the panel" suggested
Kate "Surely wood can be broken"
.'It't all lined with iron. num-" sale
Davis: lit is as good as safe. But W,
might try"
Three telling blows. The moon sud
denly darker, chill sough of wind from
the window, and the door swung to with
bang. Every one looked round A grow
of distant thunder; and faint flash O.