The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-11-18

the door and saw again the room into
which | had previously penetrated. |
entered and looked round. There was
really nothing visible to suggest any
reason for MIR. Beaufoy's emotion at
my appearance. But the little room
beyond! Where wasi it? had certain
" seen him at the entrance of an inner
room. Where was that inner room?
Had the whole Of that vividly-re-
membered scene been nothing but an
effort Of excited and disordcred mag
inaiion? Had my newly-opened eyes
PLAYED me false? 1t was highly prob
able. and. in a sudden revulsion Of
feeling. realized how greatly all my
mental attitude had been affected by
the imagined scene. l felt supremacy
foolish and considerably ashamed.
Crestfallen and guilty, was about to
retrace my steps, hoping l might
escape unobserved. when my attention
was caught by something odd in the
appearance of bookcase in the wall
opposite to me. Part Of the shelves
seemed to slope out little from the
line. | went close up to examine it.
This at least was no trick of eyesight.
There was q projection OF couple OF
inches in the midst of the large book
case. l touched it. There was no
trace of leather binding nor Of oaken
shelf in the metallic cold that struck
my hand. The bookcase was of iron.
/ pulled at it. 1t swung heavily but
easily open, like the door Of a big safe,
and there was the very inner room.
In moment was inside. There was
the furnace, not glowing new as on
former occasions, but cold. Various
MISUNDERSTANDING instruments and
apparatus were ranged round. and on
a table were piles Of yellow metal, and
in a half-open safe more and yet more.
Ere l could formulate a thought. I
heard step and the outer door closed.
| stepped ont just in time. closing the
iron door gingerly, and met Hardy.
Where have | got tor Is that
Hardy?' / asked.
was not at all sure that he might
not also produce revolver, and there
was no cool-headed Basilsk to save me
now. But no. Hardy burst out laugh
ing.
you've got yourself into
mess he said in his
laughter. what. you have lost your
self now. have you?"
| affected anger.
Perhaps you II tell me where l amp"
said.
You've got into masters study.
Here, this way" he said. Master
don't care about having people in his
room
well, the door was OPEN" said.
Il don't profess to find my way where
/ have never been learned it.
All right. sir said Hardy rather
humbls; Il left the door open min
ute. You needn't mention it to mss
ter.
Certainly not, said; s.it's moth
ing to me. : And when he left me on the
garden-chair | breathed freely, for
saw that this second adventure would
not come to Mr.. Beaufov's ears from
| the trusty Hardy, at any rate.
| Resting after the excitement of this
adventure, tried but in vain to draw
some clear conclusion from what l
had witnessed. Those piles of shining
metal; the safe filled with similar
| cleaning hoard! The scientific APP
paratus. and the jealous guard kept
over those precincts!
! For Il moment the old stories of the
alchemists came into my mind. and
then suddenly strange suspicion
flashed upon me. Could it be?-but
hush! / kept the suspicion locked in
my inmost heart. Only | resolved to
always to watch.
fro BE CONTINUED.)