The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-07-08

asked, IN surprise.
"No," he replied, shortly.
Then you did not have it done?"
Certainly not. I had nothing to do
with it. Know nothing about it." he
answered, decidedly. IF they are
built up, it has been done within six
weeks. For when received your letter
announcing your intention to occupy
the house for time, went all through
the place, and those doorways were not
built up then. I even went into that
cellar. It was a damp, musty hole. and
I intended to call your attention to it
and ask what you wished done about it."
"Well, that's strange! Who could
have done it," exclaimed, thoroughly
perplexed. Elbow did you get into the
storeroom? I had to kick open the door,"
"Oh, had key to the outside door,
and got in that way. HIM! It is. as you
say, very strange, indeed. But resume
your seat, Mr.. Conway"
Again the thought occurred to me
| that had met Mr.. Sonntag. or at least
seen him, somewhere before.
"Did I ever meet you" asked, voic-
ing my thought.
! He glanced quickly at me. and then
smiled as he said: "Look like some one
you know, do L? One often meets peo-
pie who put them in mind of some one
else. Now, regarding this cellar affair."
Is there anyone you know who is in
terested in your property" he asked,
in brisk, business-ike manner.
"No one," I replied. 81 am the last
of my race-a lonely man, and one
| e - r %, 70
add"
Mr.. Sonntag's face became serious,
and I thought there was touch of pity
on it.
"Cheer up, Mr.. Conway. The tables
will turn some day, and you will for
get the time of trouble and desponden-
cy," the old lawyer said, cheerily and
hopefully; perhaps sooner than you
have any idea of. Now, then," he con-
tinued, returning to his brisk, business
like manner, "some one has walled up
those doorways. Who was it, and for
what purpose? If it was done with the
idea of a hiding-place, what was the
thing to be hidden? Something which
was never again to be reproduced, evil
IDENTIFY, or the room would not have
| OSCh "AO1ly SOoACo. L C1 rps OAASAS w e~S
secret entrance provided. But then,
why should your property have been
selected? Were you alone when the
discovery was made?"
mo, sir. A woman who used to act
as nurse girl when I was young one
was with me, and also Mrs. Snyder, the
widow who takes care of the house."
eyes, I know. I believe the old
widow can be relied upon to say moth
ing about the circumstances if she is
told not to. How about the other, your
old nurse?"
"She would do anything possible for
me. was her idol when a child, and
now devotion for me seems to have
been augmented in proportion to my
stature. Sarah is wholly trustworthy
and if requested her not to mention
the matter she would have her tongue
cut out rather than breathe a word
of it,"
That's good. The discovery had bes,
be kept secret" the old lawyer said, re-
fectively.
"There is another thing wish to men.
ton, though perhaps it is hardly worth
dwelling upon. Mrs. Snyder thinks
there is something strange about the
house. And she has so succeeded in
impressing my old nurse with the idea
that Sarah is quite concerned about my
staying. She seems to be imbued with
an inexplicable fear that something
harmful threatens me-"
Indeed! What do you mean wher
you say there is something strange
You mean mysterious ?" the old lawyer
asked, in the manner he would have
used in cross-examining witness.
eyes; Mrs. Snyder claims to have
seen mysterious lights at night. and
heard strange noises"
Mr.. Sonntag's eyes lost their shrewt
expression for few moments; he re
lapsed into deep thought.
ITO BE Continued