Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-09-28
Satisfied that the other mysterious

Satisfied that the other mysterious
events would also give up their secrets
upon investigation, 1 went to break
fast. Mrs. Snyder was not nearly SO
talkative 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 81
lence was not the widows forte, and, as
I was busy with my own speculations,
she was compelled to begin.
II guess you ton't like my cookin',"
she said.
Indeed 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.
well, bud you ton't come rite away
when i'd is retty," she continued, "und
I fought maybe you not like de cook
In"
X beg your pardon, Mrs. Snyder. I
did oversleep. I'll be more punctual
in future"
$50 you schleep ofer yourself? What
forP" she inquired. :.
ooh, I was up rather late the even
ing BEFORE" I remarked, indifferently,
for I 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.
ut is advisable to keep the matter q
secret" continued. "You have not
mentioned 1t 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 I
determined to turn my attention to, I
went home Immediately after finishing
my breakfast, harnessed the horse in
the buggy, and drove off toward Sarah's
house.
II I had the necessary tools it would
not be 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, a chisel
and hammer?" asked.
ZACH, yes. Bud What for, Nel?"
II am going to find out what is in that
cellar" 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"
II know that. But I have plenty of
time, and so will be able eventually to
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.
! intended to commence the task of
getting into the sealed apartment inn
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 degree of peril in the work.
did not like the idea of the dank,
musty doors 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, I took the
tools into my room. looked over the
floor, and, after quite time debating
where the hole should be made, deter
mined to begin over in one corner. Be
fore I had time to commence opera
tions, 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.
| ITO be continued)