Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-09-15

Probably. I can tell better when I
hear what the duties will be-
Before l tell you that, l wish you to
hand me the small Bible you see upon
that table"
With wondering eyes, Ethel handed
him the book.
The duties to be performed are of a
purely confidential nature. No human
being must know what l tell you. Wife,
nephew, niece, man servant, nor maid
servant must ever know that you do more
than read to and amuse me, write my let
ters and attend to my daily business af-
fairs. The true duties will be perform
ed in half an hour each evening, alone
Will you swear on this book to keep my
secretf'
u will swear, If you will assure me
that these duties can be done with a pure
conscience, and that they are perfectly
proper for me to do"
Il assure you you can do them with
perfect propriety. Will you take the
oath 2"
Il will" came from the lips of the
trembling girl, reluctantly. it must be
confessed, but still came, because of the
promise given to her dying aunt that she
would not refuse his offer.
Then kiss that book, and repeat af-
ter me these words: I. Ethel Nevergain,
swear | will tell no person the nature OF
my nightly duties, and that | will per
form them to the best of my ability"
Again Ethel shuddered, yet did as he
required: and, after kissing the book,
repeated the words.
ssSif d0xrO aut anna ,or,- oYoco -. -,
can hear, while l whisper the secret.
Now" he continued, listen to me in
GENTLY. l have in my possession a very
rare animal, one entirely unknown. 1t
is the property of a friend, and l am
secretly taking care of it for him. He
is absent now abroad, searching for more
wonders to add to a collection. On his
return he is going to exhibit all, and ex-
poets to realize a fortune by doing so,
which l am TO share. Now, although
wealthy, | love money, and always have;
therefore, | take every care of this crea-
ture, in order to obtain more gold. No
human being, save myself and its owner,
Is aware of its existence. 1t is hidden in
a rained part of this house-in fact. in
concealed room, the existence of which
no ore knows but myself and in close
connection with, but not in, a place we
call The Haunted Tower What l wish
rou to do is this: l myself have always
fed this ape, or ourang-outang, for it pos
seSses some of their nature. and if he is
not attended to he will starve. About
ten every evening you are to do this for
me.
"A basket is always standing in GER
tain place in the ruined part, A person
| pay well comes every evening, under
a promise of secrecy, and puts food in
it. lou must get this basket, go through
a long, covered corridor that connects
this tower to the main building and opens
directly into a small hall, or passageway
near your room, and the door from your
room is hidden by wardrobe.
Open it, and pass through, taking a
knife of a peculiar shape that you will
find in a bookcase drawer in your room,
together with plenty of candles and
matches for your use, also there; and to
this drawer l will give you the key.
You will find several of these knives
put there, for fear one might accidentally
get broken. Take one, with a lighted
candle, l say, go down the passage to the
tower, then count on the wall from the
ward, three panels, into a seeming crack
that you will see there insert the knife
point, and then turn it around three
times, when the panels will fly apart, re-
vealing small opening, where a set of
revolving iron shelves will be seen.
ION these place the food. Water is in
the room, where the creature can help
himself, as he wishes. it. Keep and re-
store the basket 30 its place; also be sure
and keep the knife. Push then the
shelves, and they will turn slowly around,
ard come back to you with the plate
empty.
After this, replace the panel and re-
turn TO your room silently. That will be
all for about two or three weeks, when
shall add a small service, such as plac-
ing a light of certain nature in the
tower, and winding p little machinery.
VIII you do all this?" asked he, eagerly.
Yes" half moaned the poor girl,
whose soul shrank in horror from the
task; IF you assure me / will not be
harmed by the beast"
You ever will. He is chained to a
heavy iron bolt; besides, this room he Is
in has no windows or doors, being light
ed from the ceiling, and there is no mode
of reaching him, save by those shelves.
could not; you can never even see him,
or be seen by him. When my friend re-
turns, and wants him, we will unscrew
the iron shelves, and so take him hence
"Will you stay now, as he must be seen
to this very night?" asked Sir Reginald.
after a pause. you can send for your
trunks when you wish. l will pay you
twenty pounds q month"
Il will stay"
Then please ring the bell you see yon-
der. as l must inform my wife"
The bell brought a footman, who took
the desired message, and Lady Constance
soon appeared.
Miss Nevergail is TO remain. She is
to be my slnanHensis. reader, and assist
you and the nurse generally, in my care.
wish the room next this prepared for
her immediate use"
why that one? It will not be wise to
put her there"
Wise or not, there she goes, so have it
in readiness"
CHAPTER TX.
In about an hour servant maid en-
tered, TO say that the room was in readi-
ness. Taking up her bonnet and wraps
the young girl passed through the front
hall into the room adjoining, which she