The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-09-10
CHAPTER XN.

Elfenstpin seated himself in his own
office chair, and laying the wallet before
him, said:
This. Mrs. Clum. IL a little bag con
tanning something very much valued by
the poor man who has just left this
world. | presume ii will acquaint us
with the residence and address of his
near relatives In order that they may
be notified of his death, deem it my
duty to Immediately examine its contents.
and as | do so, | wish you to be pres
ant. as a witness to the transaction.
The key 10 the wallet DIR. Elfenstein
found tied close to the edge of the han
die Inserting this in the lock, he at
once opened il and drew forth its con
tents.
All that presented itself to his notice
was about fifty pounds in money, and a
package of closely written papers. These
were without address or signature, but
seemed a short journal of daily events.
Little did Or Elfenstein dream. as he
SO cooly turned over these leaves, that
they contained matters SO vitally lmpor-
tant to himself and his future life.
Seeing no other mode of ascertaining
who the dead man really was, the doc
TOR commenced at the beginning TO read
as follows:
"June1S-My God. my God Why hast
Thou for9aken me? is now almost daily
Ivy cry. Alone. horribly. cruelty alone!
how can il he that | still exist?
Nearly eighteen years have survived
this dreadful solitude, and not until to-
day have | gained from my unnatural
keeper the slight boon of pen, ink and
paper. This gained, | will divert myself
by noting down some incidents of my life.
But to what purpose do ! write? Who
can ever read what. out of an aching
heart, shall commit to these pages?
Yet, after my DEATH some person
may penetrate this living tomb, and then
they shall here zee recorded the terrible
wrong. the fearful fate chat has thus be-
fallen an unhappy peer of the realm.
Have | been missed from my homef
HIS any one mourned over my unexplain-
ell absence? Has my poor Constance
wept over my loss? And has my dear
brother Fitzroy forgiven my hnrshness
now that he thinks me dead?
Dead? Yes; all think me dead,
sea clearly at this late date the whole
of Reginad's tiendish plot. He used that
dagger on my arm to draw blood, in or
der to leave the impression that | had
been murdered. before he shut me into
this living tomb
Yet live. |, Sir Arthur Glenden-
ring, Bart, am alive to-day. incorcerat
ed in this concealed room. built in the
ruined part of my own residence"
"Ha" exclaimed Earle Elfenstein,
starting to his feet, as he read thus far
What have | here? If this be true. we
have before us an explanation of Sir
Arthur's fate. Mrs. Clum. we must have
others present at the reading of this inn
pOrtant paper. Let us both seek instant
ly for the presence of our neighbors Will
you summon Lawyer Huntley. who lives
next door. while go for Rev. Mr.. Lee?
Not one moment will we waste, for who
knows but yOnder corpse may be all that
is left of poor Sir Arthur Glendenning? 2"
Replacing the papers and keeping the
precious wallet in his hand, Earle at once
left the house for the manse while Mrs.
Clum ran out to summon Mr.. Huntley
In less than half an hour they both re-
turned TO the physicians Office. accom-
panied by the above named gentlemen.
Then, while eager attention was to be
seen on every face. the doctor again
opened the wallet, and read, as far as we
have written above.
"Merciful heaven. can this be true"'
exclaimed Mr.. Huntley. Doctor. please
read that last clause once more. am
So dazed with surprise that | can scarce
ly understand it,"
Yet | live. L. Sir Arthur Glenden-
Mug. Bart, am alive to-day. incarcerated
in this concealed room, built in the ruined
part of my own residence" again read
DIR. Elfenstein, and after pause he
continued
The fact that this room existed was
known only TO my father, Sir Godfrey
and he, shortly before his death confided
the secret to my brother Reginald and
myself. We three were alone together
when he taught us to open the panels
by the aid OF sharp pointed knife.
and after leading us inside this strange
apartment, he charged us to keep the ex-
istence OF the place a profound secret. az
the time might come when such a hidden
retreat might prove of immense impor-
tanee.
Dear father! how little did he dream
that Reginald. for the sake of usurping
my lawful title and estates. would DRAG
me hither. in the darkness of night. and
by claiming me like beast to the floor
by the help of his valet Artoine Duval
keep me a prisoner for months, year
life!
1t was the only time | ever saw this
room. until the night | was thrust within
1t by my inhmlan brother Reginald, two
days and one night after | was forcibly
taken from my bed.
All, that night. when they overpow
cred me in my own room: shall | eve,
forget 1T l had retired rather earle,
than usual, and had fallen immediatel,
asleep About midnight should Judge
was awakened by feeling hand press