The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-02-05
THE MAN WHO VAN ISHED.
BY FERGUS HUME.
CHAPTER XlII-CoNTINuED.

cannot certainly have gone heaven
ward-and the foor2"
There is a cellar below this!"<
"A ~cetlar!" calculated Teddy
thoughtfully.
Il think it would be better to 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 a heap.
Teddy and Dentham made a thorough
examination, but we're 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 freplace?" he
asked. going over to it and surveying
the cumbersome proportions.
.Oh, there's nothing there. sir"
said Dentham with a wriggle of scorn.
Il don know so much about that
replied Teddy; $ e there's a 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 a candle" murmured
Rudall thoughtfully ':hump-I 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.
Nothing. sir, except earth! the
cellar below here was dug out
think. SIR"
Teddy gave a cry of delight
Dentham and Miss Maunders. now
very nue. excited at the chance of
a possible discovery. assisted, and
Teddy began to make a minute in
5pection OF the fireplace.
1t consisted of an ordinary steel
CRATE, surrounded by a bordering of
%encaustic tiles, and the mantle-piece
was a 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 a 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
involuntarily. and the three present
gave a cry of surprise as the whole of
the CRATE swung around upon a
central pivot disclosing the space
beyond.
II 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 the
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
tiously 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
narrow steps his curiosity got the
better of his fear and he CROPPED his
way in the same direction.
lis this the secret chamberP' asked
Olive in a disappointed tone, when
they found themselves in the square
vault.
II don't think so. replied Teddy
doubtfully. holding the candle above
his head, "or surely Roversmire
would have made it more comfortable. "
There may be another door"
suggested Miss Maunders hopefully.