Daily camera., 1897-09-01

I'll llNC AZ soiil' pliiid'ioI Va ''S ~ III I
which would have wholly materialstic
bearing that the absurdity of man
seeking a resting-p place in a damp foul
cellar, when much more comfortable
bed might be secured out at the barn
amid the hay and straw, did not strike
| me.
Then, too, the place would undoubt-
cdly lose degree of horror it light
was introduced So. seeing that my
pistol was in my pocket, and taking the
candle and some matches, | again made
for the cook house Having resolved to
descend again into the mysterious
gloom, l did not allow myself to pause
and think; that would mean perhaps
return of my fright. must plunge into
the mystery suddenly. or not at all.
1t was like taking a cold-water bath;
the longer one waits the harder to- make
the plunge
Inside the cook house lit the candle
and, taking the pistol from my pocket,
approached the stairway.
About again to descend, the recollec-
ton of my first experience came to me
in all the force of its unearthly quail
tiles. and | was seized with 4 trembling
fit My knees smote together, and my
hand shook so that the flame of the
candle was nearly eXtinguished.
The return of my fear, however, made
me all the more resolved to 60 on. /
gritted my teeth, and, advancing my
pistol in readiness, slowly began the
descent. Not sound greeted my ears
save that made by my own footsteps.
After reaching the bottom step l held
the candle aloof and gazed eXpectantly
| around.
The room was about 20 feet square;
| the fiat stones with which it was paved
and the surrounding walls were Shiny
with moisture, and here and there re-
| flected back the light of the candle.
That was all. No human being was in
sight, not sign of one having been
here.
At my feet part of the stone pave
ment had been removed and plank in
serted. Lying near the edge Of the
plank was paper with some printing
on the outside, ike that on bond or
deed I stepped down upon the plank,
and again noticed that one end
sank under my weight. Stoop-
ing down to pick up the paper.
my ears were again assailed by the SOL
emn admonition seeming to come from
the opposite side of the cellar: can
/ other step means death. Pause before
you take it,"
| Grabbing the paper, quickly re-
sumed an upright position, and, hold
| ing the candle above me, gazed intent
| ly in the direction Of the voice. There
was nothing but the walls around me
With cautious tread I took the forbid.
den step. .-e...y
"Back, for your life! Back, for your
life!" The words were hurled at me
in fercer tones than before.
l advanced another step, and still
lived. Waiting few moments, with at
tention strained to fix the spot whence
the voice sounded, and being given no
further warning, began by the light
of the candle to search the place close
ly with my eyes. Where could the voice
! have come from? No possible hiding
place appeared; nothing but the bare
walls.
Moving the candle about, it struck me
that there was space in the wall op-
posite which did not reflect back the
light. which did not have over it the
dank green ooze. When | approached
nearer, two cracks running parallel
perpendicularly, and about two feet
apart, became apparent. ran my hand
over the intervening space, and found
it smooth. A close examination re-
vealed to me what seemed to be some
kind of wooden door, rudely painted
to represent the surrounding stone
walls. But there was no sign OF bolt,
latch or hinge. If this was a door it
must close with spring lock which
was on the other side. But then how
was it opened? Rapping upon the wood
produced a hollow sound. Undoubted-
lv there was some kind of apartment
behind it.
What was it used for, and where did
it lead to? Was there passage way
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,, up cellar under my bedroom? This
was probable, as the door was in the
wall nearest the main building.
Some one had gone through the door
on the night of my arrival, and, startled
by the pistol shot at my reflection, had
allowed it to slam.
Standing before the place and reason
ing thus to myself, noticed small
. hole between two stones at about the
height of my chest. Resting one hand
on the edge OF the door frame, stopped
down to examine it more closely.
Immediately there was binding
flash right in my eyes. hot flame al
most burning my cheek, loud report
then total darkness. The candle was
shattered in my hand. There was the
smell of burnt powder, and my lungs
told me of the smoke which filed the
cellar. Half stunned, ] groped about
for the stairway. but it was some time
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