Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-16

sage. At the end of this a faint light could
be seen proceeding from behind a door that
stood atar. He concluded that the viscount
had at last attained his destinatio and
was occupied on the task. whatever II was,
that had brought him there.
Godfrey drawing near, ventured to take
a peep through the partly opened door and
caught glimpse of large stone chamber.
octagonal in shape. From its vaulted roof
hung lighted sconce. No window was
visible. and connecting this circumstance
with the number Of stairs he had descended
Godfrey was of opinion that it was a SUBJ
terranean chamber. The floor was devoid
of carpet, and the only pieces of furniture
were table of carved oak and four antique
chairs of the same material
OF the eight sides OF the chamber one
was occupied by the doorway where Godfrey
stoou the other seven were severaly
pierced by recesses, the depth of which he
was unable to ascertain, since the entrance
or each was hung with curtain of black
velvet or such length that the silver lace
frlnging its foot touched the floor. The
curtains draping two of the alcoves were
plain; the remaining five We're adorned with
lettering worked in silver thread. AS he
read the lettering by the light of the fame
mat burned in the antique sconce Godfrey,
FAMILIAR though he with death dissec-
uon and all that the non-medical mind re-
CARDS as gruesome, could rot repress some
uneasy sensations That silver lettering
recorded the names and titles of the de-
ceased Earls of Ormsby, from LanceIot
the tenth
Godfrey knew himself to be on forbidden
ground. He was standing on the threshold
of the secret burial vault of the lords OF
Ravenhall.
Ivar was in one of the alcoves. whittier
he had betaken himself with the cypress
chest. but as the curtain concealed him
from view 1t was impossible for Godfrey to
see what the viscount was doing. What
Godfrey heard. however was sufficiently
alarming. From the recess came a re-
currence or sounds that could be attributed
only TO the use of a screwdriver. There
could be no doubt that War was engaged in
the work of removing one of the coffin lids
and Godfrey felt moreover. that this act
Ilad some connection with the contents of
the reliquary.
was War about to transfer the evidences
OF ms sullt-for Of his guilt Godfrey now
entertained no doubt-from the reliouary to
one OF the collins? There could scarcely be
safer place of concealment than coffin
contained in a secret vault, the entrance
OF which was known to four persons only.
Yet this theory seemed precluded by the
fact that coffin constructed to hold one
body would not suffice for two War could
scarcely intend to carry off from the crypt
the relics of one of his ancestors since he
would have the same difficulty in disposing
of dead earl as of less distinguished re-
mains.
Suddenly there came from War a cry, or
rather a yell; he dropped the screwdriver,
or whatever tool he using. and thrust
ing aside the black velvet curtain staggered
into the vault and tumbled into chair,
where he sat for some moments. his eyes
fixed in terror upon the alcove from which
he had emerged.
BAH he presently muttered. What a
fool l am, Yet l could swear l heard a
whisper coming from the coffin. BY Cd,
what creepy work this Isl!
A long pull at the spirit flask seemed to
infuse new courage into him. He arose and
moved again toward the alcove, though
with somewhat slow steps.
AS Ivar lifted the curtain Godfrey tried to
ascertain what lay behind but succeeded
only in catching glimpse of the reiquary,
which stood on the floor with the taper-nt
hat resting upon 1t.
| The viscount picked up the fallen tool
and resumed the task of screw-loosing.
Then, after what seemed an age to the
waiting surgeon. the screwdriver was
dropped and Godfrey became aware that
Ivar had removed the coffin lid for he had
placed it on the floor in such manner that
one end of 1t projected beneath the curtain
and appeared in the vault.
Godfrey was unable to tell what followed.
Wars work, whatever its character, was
performed in silence, and lasted a consid-
cradle time.
More than once Godfrey stole into the
vault for the purpose of peering behind the
curtain. but on each occasion he did not
get beyond the table. the tear OF detection
restraining him from proceeding farther
Then moved by a sudden Impulse, ne
took out his penknife, and. turning TO the
alcove nearest the doc" he quickly anu
silently cut off corner from the NeiVel
drapery. - .,,o,,,,,,.
thrusting the fragment inside his pocket.
| "if at any time it should become neceS-
sary to prove that / have stood in the Sc
cret funeral vault of the Ravengars.
Ivars task was evidently coming to an
end for the coffin lid was now drawn
| from beneath the curtain into the alcove,
and the peculiar sounds caused by the
application of the screwdriver recon-
menced
from behind the curtain, wearing his
| taper-lit hat again and dragging the
chest which, judged by the effort re-
auired for it's removal. was in no way di-
minished from it's former weight, cir
cumstance which puzzled Godfrey not
little.
He was preparing for fight, but as
War had seated himself in the chair
again he was tempted to linger mo-
ment.
Thank the devil that's over said the
viscount in a tone of satisfaction, and
| l hope Lorelie will be satisfied"
"Lorelie!' murmured Godfrey, with
start. "Lorelie! Surely he does not mean
Mademoiselle Riviere?'
He had no time just then to consider
| this question, for War. having drained
| the few drops that remained in the flask,
was now extinguishing the flame in the
sconce. preparatory to leaving the crypt.
Godfrey Immediately stole off and
ceeded in reaching his room without detec-
| ton. He went to bed again and slept
soundly.
He awoke to find the glinting pleas
| antly through the diamond panes. The
brightness of the morning had so cheering
an effect his spirits that he felt dis
posed at first to regard the event of the
pr eceding night as the result of a dream.
Then. his memory quickening. he thrust
his hand beneath his pillow and drew forth
| piece of black velvet edged with silver
lace
1T was no dream he muttered, gazing
| at the relic Il have really stood in the
secret burial vault of the Ravengars. What
| a story this will be for Beatrice
Godfrey was accustomed to make his sis
| ter his confidante in all things: but. some
how upon reflection, he resolved, for The
! present at least. to maintain secrecy
| speeding Ivars strange doings.
(To be continued tomorrow
VICTIM DID NOT DIE.