Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-09-30
THE MAN WHO VANISHED.
BY FERGUS HUME.
CHAPTER XIII-CoNrNUEp.


"a cellar" CALCULATED Teddy
thoughtfully.
Il think it would be better 10 look
at the floor first" suggested
Olive. for Adrian can't have got into
the cellar without some mode of exit"
The floor was OF polished wood
consisting OF narrow planks laid
horizontally. and these were partly
covered here and there with Turkish
mats. Collecting these in heap
Teddy and Dentham made a thorough
examination, but were quite unable to
find any trap-door through which
entrance could have been gained into
the cellar
Teddy fastened his eyes upon the
chimney.
What about the freplaceP" he
asked. going over to it and surveying
the cum bersome proportions
oh there's nothing there. sir "
said Dentham with awriggle Of scorn.
Il don't know SO much about that"
replied Teddy; see there's half
burned candle on the mantle piece.
''He always had a candle. said
Dentham. referring to his master.
"'Why, | don't know as there was
lots OF gas-light'
Always had candle" murmurcd
Rudall thoughtfully hump dare
say it was to light the way to the
lower regions-what is under the
flooring of the next room. =" he added,
turning to Dentham.
ont \ M
cellar below here was dug out
think, slr."
Teddy gave cry OF delight
Dentham and Miss Mauuders now
very much excited at the chance of
a possible discovery assisted and
Teddy began to make minute in
spection OF the fireplace.
1t consisted OF an ordinary steel
CRATE surrounded by q bordering of
encaustic tiles. and the mantle piece
was n heavy oaken one, deliberately
carved with fruit and flowers.
Although Teddy pushed and shook
the CRATE it remained immovable and
there certainly seemed no possibility
that such heavy mass could be
moved at all.
Perhaps there's a spring" sug-
gested Olive and began TO feel among
the carvings of the mantle piece with
deft fingers. The attempt proved !
successful. for by chance her fingers
came in contact with the spring; there /
was a click as she pressed it almost |.
involuntarilv and the three present
gave cry Of surprise as the whole of /.
the CRATE swung around upon a
central pivot disclosing the space
beyond.
Il knew was right" cried Teddy |
in ecstasy, this leads to some secret |
chamber and l would not be surprised |
If We found Adrian Lancaster a
prisoner below"
Olive turned pale as he lighted tho .
candle and bending down crept into .
the black cavity. At first she feared .
to follow in his steps but her love .
for Adrian prevailed and she eau
tiou-ly entered also. Dentham who .
was shaking in every limb with terror
at this strange discovery. remained in
the room, but when Teddy and his
companion disappeared down the
better OF his fear and he CROPPED his
way in the same direction.
lis this the secret chamber?" asked
Olive in a disappointed tone when
they found themselves in the square
vault sy.....r,
Il don't think so, replied Teddy
doubtiully, holding the candle above
his head. "or surely Roversmire
would have made it more comfortable a"
There may be another door"
suggested Miss Maunders hopefully
examine the walls.
Teddy did so. and running his
hand rapidly down on the smooth sur.
face OF the stone he felt a round
button which he pressed with all his
strength and Immediately the blank
wall before them seemed to disappear
showing only dense black space.
'Dentham cried Teddy on seeing
this. 'go and get more candles or
lamp" Upon which Dentham sped
rapidly up the steps without being
required to be told twice.
Adrian" cried Olive peering for
ward into the darkness. dimly lighted
by the glimmer OF the candle are you
thereP"
No voice answered. and in vague
terror the girl caught Teddy by the
hand.
'Oh! do you think he Is deadp"
she whispered.
Il don't know" he replied blankly;
perhaps he is not here. or there may
be some more doors to open. See
here is Dentham. with two more
lights"
Olive took one OF the candles. and
headed by Teddy the little band went
forward along the narrow passage
and at length found themselves in the
circular vault which looked weird
and spectral-looking with its strange
decorations.
Looks like the cave OF magi.
cian," said Teddy. slowly waving his
light to and fro. "Hullo, what's upp"
His sudden exclamation was caused
by Dentham. who had dropped his
candle and with chattering teeth. I
shaking limbs and pale face pointed
% dark form extended on a couch.
With a cry OF terror Olive rushed .