The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-12-04
A CLEW BY WIRE.
(COntinued.),

lore after naStlly dressing "oineu "'
around the house, keeping at such dis J.
lance from it that every part OF the
roof could be seen.
There was a line of wire running
along the side of the road, which, as
afterward ascertained, belonged to q
telephone circuit embracing half
dozen towns and villages in the vicin-
ity. This wire crossed the roof of the
house, but was not fastened to it in any
way, swinging at least three feet clear
of the ridge-pole. Within few inches
of the wire was section of lightning
rod. The air was still, and the wire
hung motionless. On the previous
night a strong breeze had been blow
ing, as remembered from the mourn
full cadences it produced up in the
attic.
Here was one mystery which could be
very reasonably explained. The wind
had swung the wire, causing it to strike
against the perpendicular portion OF
the lightning rod, thereby causing the
series of gentle vibratory raps l had
heard.
Satisfied that the other mysterious
events would also give up their secrets
upon investigation, l went to break
fast. Mrs. Snyder was not nearly SO
tall1ative as during former meals. In
deed, she appeared rather glum. The
reason of the old widows taciturn man.
ner was soon explained.
After pouring my coffee, she watched
| me in silence for some time. But ST.
lence was not the widows forte, and, as
I was busy with my own speculations,
she was compelled to begin.
"I guess you toni like my cookin''"
she said
Indeed I do; the proof lies in the
quantity I find room for. You are an
excellent cook"
The old woman's face relaxed some
what under my praise.
"vell, bud you ton't come rite away
when id is retty," she continued, "und
1 fought maybe you not like de cook
in"
81 beg your pardon, Mrs. Snyder. |
did oversleep. I'll be more punctual
in future"
$50 you schleep offer yourself? What
for?" she inquired.
"Oh, was up rather late the even
ing BEFORE" remarked, indifferently,
for 1 knew questions relating to the
strange things which had come under
her observation were trembling on her
lips.
you remember our discovery of the
walled-up cellar?" I continued, Mr.,
Sonntag's suggestion regarding the
wisdom of secrecy coming to mind.
| She nodded, and her old eyes bright
ened expectantly. te
ut is advisable to keep the matter a
secret" continued. "You have not
mentioned it to anyone, have you?
Zach, no."
Then please do not, for the present"
She promised compliance with my re-
quest.
AS the cellar was the next mystery
determined to turn my attention TO,
went home Immediately after finishing
my breakfast, harnessed the horse in
the buggy, and drove off toward Sarah's
house.
If | had the necessary tools 1t would
not be a difficult matter to cut the floor
of my bedroom.
Sarah greeted me effusively. The
good soul seemed to have constant
fear that each time she saw me would
be the last.
Can you let me have saw, chisel
and hammer?" asked.
Zach, yes. Bud What for, Ne1?"
81 am going to find out what is in that
cellar" l answered.
How you ged in?"
''By cutting through the floor"
dat will be hard work, Mel. De tim
Der under de floor is awful thick"
81 know that. But have plenty OF
time, and so will be able eventually tc
get through"
The tools were produced, and I start
ed homeward, Sarah sending after me
an earnest appeal for carefulness and
the avoidance of danger.
l intended to commence the task OF
getting into the sealed apartment i'm
mediately upon my arrival home. The
thought that danger of some kind
might Turk in the cellar would not deter
me. And the pistol-shot had heard the
last night seemed to indicate that there
might be a degree of peril in the work
I did not like the idea of the dank
musty odors ascending into my sleep
ing apartment. but could easily re-
move to one of the spacious chambers
upstairs, and thus escape them.
On arriving at the house, took the
tools into my room. l looked over the
floor, and, after quite time debating
where the hole should be made, deter.
mined to begin over in one corner. Be.
tons, loud knock sounded on the
front door.
Hastily showing the tools under the
bed, I went out through the hall and
opened the door. My visitor was Mr.
Sonntag.
CHAPTER X.
ushered the old lawyer into the
room. After few commonplace re-
marks he said: That walling-up of
those cellar doorways has made quite
an impression on me. Suppose we
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