The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-14
CHAPTER XXVu.
,ur aFycTFRInITS wAII,Rr

tanning something very muCu Fdlueo W
the poor man who has just left this
world I presume it will acquaint US
with the residence and address OF his
near relatives. In order that they may
be notified of his death, deem 1t my
duty to Immediately examine its con-
tents, and as l do so I wish you to be
present as witness to the transaction" !"
Signifying her willingness to be this
witness, Mrs. Clum bade him proceed.
The keys to the wallet DIR. Elfenstein
found tied close to the edge OF the handle.
Inserting this in the lock, he at once
opened it and drew forth its contents.
All that presented itself to his notice
was about fifty pounds in money, and q
package Of closely written papers.
These papers were without address or
signature, but seemed short journal OF
daily events.
Little did DR.. Eifenstein dream, IS he
80 coolly turned over these leaves, that
thew contained matters so vitally i'm
portant to himself and his future life.
Seeing no other mode of ascertaining
who the dead man really was, the Doctor
commenced ~ the beginning to read
what follows:
"June IS
my God, my God! Why hast Thou
forsaken me? is snow almost daily my cry.
@Alone! horribly, cruelty alone! how
can it be that still exist?
"Nearly eighteen years have survived
this dreadful solitude, and not until to-
day have I gained from my unnatural
keeper the Slight boon of pen, ink and
paper. This gained, I will divert my
self by noting down some incidents OF
my life. But to what purpose do
write?
SWho can ever read what, out OF an
aching heart, shall commit to these
pages?
@I know not!
sYeS, after my death, some person
may penetrate this living tomb, and then
they shall here see recorded the terrible
wrong, the fearful fate that has thus be-
fallen an unhappy peer Of the realm!
"Have I been missed from my home?
Has any one mourned over my unex-
planned absence? Has my poor Con-
stance wept over my loss? And has my
dear brother Fitzroy forgiven my harsh
ness now that he thinks me dead?
"Dead? Yes; all think me dead! :.
II see clearly ut this late date the
whole Of Reginald's fendish plot.
"He used that dagger on my arm to
draw blood, in order to leave the impress
sion that had been murdered, before he
shut me into this living tomb.
"Yet l live. I, Sir Arthur Glenden-
ming, Bart, am alive to-day, incarcerated
in this concealed room, built in the ruined
part of my own residence"
"Ha!" exclaimed Earle Elfenstein,
starting to his feet as he read thus far
"What have l here? If this be true, we
have IN explanation Of Sir Arthur's
fate. Mrs. Clum, we must have others
present ut the reading Of this important
paper. Let US both seek instantly for
the presence of our neighbors. Will
you summon Lawyer Huntey, who lives
next door, while 60 for Rev. Mr.. Lee?
Not one moment will we waste, for who
knows but yonder corpse may be all that
is left Of poor Sir Arthur Glendenning.
Replacing the papers and keeping the
precious wallet in his hand, Earle at
once left the house for the manse, while
Mrs. Clum ran out to summon MIR.
Huntley.
In less than half an hour they both
returned to-the PHYSICIANS Office, &C
ccmpanied by the above-named gentle
men.
Then, while eager attention was to be
seen on every face, the Doctor again
opened the wallet and read as far as we
have written above.
| "Merciful heaven, can this be true!"
exclaimed Mr.. Huntley. "Doctor, please
read that last clause once more. am
so dazed with surprise that l can scarce
ly understand it."
"Yet live. I, Sir Arthur Glenden-
ming, Bart. am alive to-day, incarcer-
ated in this concealed room, built in the
ruined part of my own residence" again
read DR.. Elfenstein.
After a pause he continued:
"The fact that this room existed was
known only to my father, Sir Godfrey,
and he, shortly before his death, confided
! the secret to my brother Reginald and
myself. We three were alone together
! when he taught US how to open the panels
by the aid Of sharp pointed knife, and
| after leading US inside this strange apart.
mcnt, he charged US to keep the exist.
ence of the place profound secret, as
the time might come when such hidden
retreat might become of immense i'm
| portance.
aDear father! how little did he dream
that Reginald, for the sake Of usurping
my lawful title and estates, would drag
me hither, in the darkness of night, and;
by claiming me like a beast to the floor,
by the help of his valet, Antoine Duval.
keep me prisoner for months, years,
life!
"Oh, that horrible Antoine! how I Al
ways disliked his soft, fawning ways, his
smooth tongue and cringing airs.
"Villain that he is! Villains, indeed,
both master and man.
@But will not thus anticipate. I will
60 back to our fathers leading his two
young sons to this place, and pointing
out its many conveniences for spending
time in hiding.
"'See,' he said, here is bathroom,
with all it's appointments, opening from
this small and neatly furnished bed
chamber. Soft mattresses, plenty OF
bedding, heat from an unseen register,
through pipes leading to the kitchen
ranges. Oh, everything is complete!'
at was the only time ever saw this
room, until the night was thrust within
i. by my inhuman brother, Reginald. two
days and one night after was forcibly
taken from my bed.
"Ah, that night when they overpow,
cred mo in my own room, shall ever
forget it?
@Shall that terrible scene ever be oblit-
Grated from my weary brain?
81 had retired rather earlier than usual
and had fallen Immediately asleep
| AhOut midnipht 7 ehonld iudpe I was