San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-26

Working eagerly, yet carefully, through all
the volumes, we got the following results
Numbers of pages marked with a red cross
and the corresponding letters:
10, 5, |, Is, 8, s 3, l, IS, 5, g. 81, IL, 70, 25.
SEA RICH c. r E F U l. L Y
20, 8, 5, Z, Is, 10, 4, 10, Is, Is, H.
THE GOLD R % o NJ.
"Wen," said Tom, when we had made out
the above, this certainly looks like find.
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 great number 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 examined but to no
purpose.
Never say die" said Tom. 1--WE must
now try the walls" He commenced tapping
and feeling in all the old corners; went into
a cupboard, tried the window seats; and as
q last resource, turned his attention to the
chimney piece, which was very large and
highly carved The mantel was high, and
projected good way over the hearth. The
panels on either side were ornamented with
grotesque figures cut in bold relief Tom
looked up the chimney, raped the wood
work, and pred into each little nook. | was
similarly engaged, but with no success. An
exclamation from Tom caused me to rush to
his side. when | saw him pushing at a small
grotesque head inclosed in a wreath Of leaves
and flowers. This seems to give little,
Frank" said he; and, exerting his whole
strength, the projection sank into the panel,
which slid a little, to one side and disclosed
dark opening.
Stop here a moment, Tom" said |, highly
excited, ''while get light We must be on
the eve of a great discovery" Hurrying
down stairs, | told old Griggs to light Ian
tern; and snatching up chisel and hammer,
made my way back as fast as could
We forced the panel far enough to allow
US to enter and CROPPED our way along dark,
muSty smelling passage only feebly lighted
by tho 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 ending in small
door, at which we stopped Feeling no
latch, we gave a simultaneous heave, and,
bursting the obstacle, fell forward into 4
room. Recovering ourselves we searched
about on the floor for the lantern, which we
discovered in a crushed condition and the
light extinguished.
Heres pretty goI" cried Tom "It's so
dark we can't find anything. One Of US had
better go back and fetch light" | volun-
teered to stay. Tom felt his way slowly
down the stairs, and after what seemed an
age returned with a candle and O box of
matches.
II wouldn't trouble Griggs," said he 81
got these from my bedroom, as we had
better manage this business quietly by our
selves"
We gazed about in a bewildered way on
the room we had discovered 1t seemed to
be close under the roof, and, from the direc-
ton of the passage, was evidently in the west
wing of the house. The walls and floor were
covered with dust, and the little air the place
contained came through a small grating over
the door. In one corner, fastened to the
door by strong iron clamps, was ponderous
looking oak chest, grit with bands of iron,
studded with nails and fastened with a curl
ously ornamental lock.
Il 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 l returned with the KEY,
and, after vigorous wrench, managed to
unlock 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 a 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-I you find this money, as l be-
leve you will take it as the reward for obeying
my wishes. AS the Hall has been in our family
since its foundation, | solemnly charge you to
adopt the name of Oldcastle; and may the old
line be revived in you. Your loving uncle
Horace OLDCAsTIE
This letter was dated only few weeks be-
fore my uncle's death, and it seems strange
L L L.