The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-10-20

the mystery contained IN II. Would you
mind me looking into III"
| opened the desk, but we could find moth
Ing Of consequence In IL.
"You haven't looked In the secret drawer" :"
said Tom. GAIL desks have one. Let me
try my hand" Suiting the action to the
word, he gave the bottom Of the desk such
a blow that small compartment which had
escaped my notice few open, and something
fell with ringing sound on the floor. Tom
uttered satisfied sound, and picked up q
key Of curious and antique workmanship.
This will most likely unlock the mystery,
since your uncle seems to have put II away
so carefully"
We started on voyage OF discovery over
the old house. Many Of the cupboards and
boxes were unlocked; and those which were
fastened could be opened by some OF the
keys with which the lawyer had furnished
me. After long hunt, we gave the thing
up as bad job Tired out we retired to
rest, and forgot our disappointment In sleep.
Next morning, after breakfast, Tom COM
menced q sketch of the front Of the mansion,
at which he worked hard till dinner time.
In the afternoon we went for walk Thus
q week won't by, varied only by little fish
| ihB III bho pun. luz Whb uHlouou,
and another begun. One afternoon, Tom
said he should like to have another shy at
the mysterious library. IT have been think
ing it over all the week, and fancy have
made discovery. You will notice, on
looking through the books carefully, only
one page in each is marked, and that all
the marks occur in the first score or 80 OF
lea IS In each volume Now, what set me
thinking was the whim of your uncle hav-
| ing the alphabet marked on the backs Of the
books This one marked A IL crossed under
the number Of page 10; the next book, B,
under number 81 G, under number 1; d, un-
der number 1S; e, under number 8; and F
under number 8. Now, taking the numbers
OF the pages to represent corresponding let
ters of the alphabet, we get the word
SEARCH. haven't got any furthur yet,
but we must work it out together"
I jumped up and seized Toms hand.
''You have hit it now for certain, my dear
fellow"
Don't be premature. 1t may only turn
out mares nest after all. However, here
goes to get at the root Of the matter"
Working eagerly, yet carefully, through
all the volumes, we got the following re-
results. Numbers Of pages marked with
the red cross, and the corresponding letters:
10, 5, 1, IS, 3, s, 3. 1, 1S, g. 9, 81, H. II, 25,
8 L A R CHCA REF U L LY
90. 8, 8, Z, Is, IL, 4, 1S, Is. Is, 18.
T H E g o L d r o ON
"Well," said Tom, when we had made out
the above ''this certainly looks like And.
Let us set about examining this same Gold
Room at once"
There was a chamber on the second floor
OF the house having the walls covered with
leather, on which q great mum ber Of elab-
crate designs were stamped in gold; hence
its name. We hurried to this room and set
to work to try and discover the secret.
There was scarcely any furniture; what
there was, we carefully exami ned, but to no
purpose.
"Never say die," said Tom 1--WE must
now try the walls" He commenced tap
ping and feeling in all the odd corners; went
into cupboard, tried the window-seats;
and, as last resource, turned his attention
to the chimney-pi which was very large
and highly carved. The mantel was high,
and projected a good way over the hearth.
The panels on either side were ornam ented
with grotesaue figures cut in bold relief.
Tom looked up the chim ney, raped the
woodwork, and pried into each little nook.
Twas similarly engage d. but with no sue
cess. An exclamation from Tom caused me
to rush to his side, when saw him pushing
at small grotesque head, enclosed in a
wreath Of leaves and flowers ''This seems
to give little Frank" said he; and exert
ing his whole trength, the projection sank
into the panel which slid a little to one side
and disclosed dark opening.
"Stop here moment, Tom," said I, highly
excited, "while get light. We must be
on the eve of great discovery" Hurrying
down stairs, got old Griggs to light a Ian
fnrn mn 1,n onI n h
mer, made my way back as fast as could.
We forced the panel far enough to allow
us to enter, and CROPPED our way along a
dark, musty-smelllng passage, only feebly
Illuminated by the lantern. Stumbling
along in what seemed nearly one direction,
we came to steep flight Of stairs, evidently
built in the thickness Of the wall, and end
ing in a small door, at which we stopped.
Feeling no latch, we gave simultaneous
heave and, bursting the obstacle, fell for
ward into q room. Recov ering ourselves,
we searched about on the floor for the Ian.
tern, which we discovered In crushed con-
dition, and the light extinguished.
"Here's pretty gop' cried Tom "It's so
dark we can't find any thing. One of us
had better go back and fetch light"
volunteered to stay. T ON felt his way slow
ly down the stairs, and after what seemed
an age, retuf neu WIN c8nQle ana box OF
matches
~ wouldn't trouble Griggs," said he. II
got these from my bedroom, as we had bet
ter manage this business quietly by our.
selves"
We gazed about in bewildered way ON
the room we had discovered. It seemad to
be close under the roof, and, from the d.
rection of the passage, was evidently in
the west wing of the house. The W alls and
door were covered with dust; and the little
air the place contained came through q
small grating over the top of the door, In
one corner, fastened to the floor by strong
iron clamps, was ponderous- looking oalr
chest, girt with bands OF iron, studded with
nails, and fastened with curiously-orna-
mented lock.
II have It'll" said Tom. "That curious key
we found in the desk will very likely fit this
lock; the ornamentation seems very similar
in design"
In few minutes returned with the KEY,
and after vigorous wrench, managed to un-
lock the chest. We pushed open the heavy
lid, and perfect mine of wealth was dis
closed to US. My uncle must have had an
old.fashioned prejudice against banks, for
here was evidently the boarded riches of
years. slowed away In secret chamber
and further protected by being In the part
Of the house supposed to be haunted. In the
chest we also found letter, addressed to
me:
DEAR NEPHEw-If you find this money, as
believe you will, take 1t US the reward for oboy.
ing my wishes. As the Hall has been In our
family since its foundation, solemnly charge