The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-20
MYSTERY OF A CASTLE.
A Secret Which Only Three Men Can
Explain.


Explain.
London Mail
Near the border of two Scottish counties
set in the middle of broad and fertile
strath, and protected from the northern
blasts by a range of lofty mountains, there
stands, and has stood for generations an
ancient feudal castle.
Although the Oldest wing dates from the
thirteenth century, the greater part Of 1T
was built in Jocobean days, and with Its
numerous turrets, battlements, corbels and
pinnacles recalls the glories of Chantilly
and other great French chateaux Of the
same period. 1t belongs, together with the
surrounding estate, to wealthy peer
whose grandfather married a north of Eng
land heiress with a dowry of over a million
sterling. During the greater part OF the
year the castle is untenanted save by few
servants and caretakers; for the owner
spends his winters abroad and his sum-
mers in the English seat brought into the
family by the aforementioned heireSS. But
during the autumn months it is full of life
and gayety; for it's kindly lord and lady,
who have many children and grandchildren
and host of friends, keep open house then
in their old Scottish home. and its halls and
corridors, narrow passages, and winding
staircases echo with the sound of merry
voices and the tread of youthful feet from
morning till night
Cheerful, however, as the invited guest
finds the old castle, and warm as is the well
come extended to him within its walls, he
must be possessed of little curiosity and less
ina ination If he does not feel his pulse
somewhat quickened and his sleep some
what broken, during the perioc of his resi-
dence there. For he has probably heard
already something of the weird associa-
tions which cling to the house and its own
ers. and of the mysterious secret said to be
known only 10 the head or the family, TO
his heir and to one other persona secret
so grim and terrible TO affect the whole
lives of those who learn 1T, and make them
different from other men,
No clew to the mystery has ever been
given by any of the three depositaries
of it; but popular belief has long connected
il with a secret chamber in the castle,
which rurnor assigns as the habitation of a
strange, half-human creature OF terrifying
aspect and fabulous age. the incarnate en-
house. In tho gayest moments enjoyed by
those who, during the bright days of early
autumn. throng the guest chambers of the
castle, there is always an indefinable feel
ing Of some weird presence within its walls.
''My dear young lady" were the words Of
the host TO one who was paying him her
first visit. as he babe her goodnight, 1T
is. know, the custom of ladies to sit up
late in another's rooms, chatting and
so on. Now that Is not allowed here When
you go to your room tonight. remain in it.
mer's afternoon, some young people were
enjoying a noisy game of billiard-fives In
the hall. While the merry din was at its
highest, the tall, bowed figure of the host
was suddenly observed to be standing In
the midst of the party. Il want To ask you
ALL" he said, in his quiet, courteous tones,
Ito go up to your rooms at once, and to
remain in them until a bell rings, when
YOU will be quite at liberty TO come down
again." Instantly, like the Arabs OF the
poem, the players silently stole away" to
their respective chambers. After the lapse
of twenty minutes a bell did ring. Down
they all came. and resumed their game
where il had been broken off. No ailusion
was made by any one. to the mysterious
behest they had received.
In a queer corner of the old castle there
is a quaint little chapel, dating from the
Restoration, decorated by a Dutch artist
of the time, and fitted up In recent days
with q rich altar and other accessories by
the present owner, who spends much time
there engaged in solitary devotions. year
or two ago a young officer, whose visit had
been shortened by sudden summons to
rejoin his regiment. had arranged to leave
the castle at an early hour in the morning.
Quitting his chamber about dawn, he took
a wrong turning in the uncertain light, and
pushing open a swing door, found himself
in the chapel, which he had not before en-
tered At the far end he observed with
great surprise a motionless figure kneeling
near the altar. and moved noiselessly up to
see who it was. He recognized his host, still
in evening dress. as he had parted from him
some seven hours previously.
A young medical man was not long ago
staving at the castle, by the invitation of
its owner who had made his acquaintance
abroad, and. being something of an invalid,
had asked him to come and take a few
weeks holiday in Scotland, and at the same
time to give him the benefit of his profess
sonal skill. A room was assigned to him
i'm one of the towers and he was in the full
enjoyment of his visit when IL was sud-
denly brought to an end in strange fashion.
Coming home Unexpectedly early one
afternoon from shooting Qeaving most of
his fellow guests still in the stubbles), and
mouting to mis- turret chamber. he noticed
singular circumstance. A stain which
he had often observed In the carpet under
the window was now visible exactly at the
opposite corner of the room, showing that
during his few hours absence the whole
of the furniture must have been moved
out of the apartment and the carpet taken
up The impulse came upon him to repeat
the process. Out into the passage, acord-
ingly. went bed, chairs, table, wardrobe,
and everything else; up came the carpet,
ad there, in the center of the floor, was
the inevitable trap-door. Lifting ii. he
deserted a steep fight OF steps which he
descended, lighted candle in hand and
found at the bottom a narrow winding pas
sage, along which he cautiously made his
way Suddenly he was brought up short
by dead white plastered wall barring his
further advance; and, putting out his hand
to touch it. mis- finger went half an inch
into the plaster, which was soft. wet, and
evidently quite newly laid on. Smoothing il
over as best he could mot an easy task
traced his steps TO his room, rearranged
carpet and furniture exactly as he had
found them, and went down TO tea, keeping
his own counsel, and saying nothing to any
one of his adventure.
Next morning, while he was still i'm bed
note was brought him from his hosts
| lawyer. who was staying In the castle. Ii
I inclosed a check and briefly informed him
take him to the railway station at the ear
Hest hour convenient TO himself