The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-18
G h a p t er vi
THE SECRET VAULT.

STAIRS led US beneath the
/ foundations of the house and
terminated IN a domed cham
ILI9l Der constructed of stone and
- about ten feet IN diameter.
In the floor of this chamber
was a trap-door. composed Of many
thicknesses Of steel. and so heavy that it
could be raised only by a stout iron
windlass. the chain of which was weld
ed TO ring in the doors face.
Dom Miguel handed me the candle and
began turning the windlass. Gradually
but without noise the heavy door of
metal rose. and disclosed a still more
massive surface underneath
Tins second plate. of highly FURNISHED
steel, was covered with many small in
dentations. Of irregular formation. It
was about three feet square and the
curious indentations, each one Of which
had evidently been formed with great
care were scattered over every inch of
the surface.
Put out the light" said de Pintra-
I obeyed. leaving US in total darkness.
Next moment. as I listened intently,
1 heard a slight grating noise, followed
by soft shooting of many bolts Then
match fiickered, and Dom Miguel held
il to the wick and relighted the candle.
The second door had swung upward
upon hinges. showing three iron steps
that led into a vault below
The chief descended and I followed;
not. however. without a shuddering
glance at the great door that stood sus-
pended as if ready to crash down upon
our heads and entomb US.
Just within the entrance an electric
light, doubtless fed by storage battery,
was turned on. plainly Illuminating the
place.
1 found the vault lined with thick
plates of steel, riveted firmly together.
In the centre was small table and two
wooden stools. Shelves were ranged
around the walls and upon them were
books papers. and vast sums Of money.
both in bank-notes and gold
Here" said my companion. glancing
proudly around him, are our sinews of
war; our records and funds and plans
Of operation. Should Dom PedrO's agents
gain access to this room they would
hold in their hands the lives and for
tunes Of many OF the nOblest families
of BraZil-and our conspiracy would be
nipped in the bud. You may know how
even my daughter does not guess the eX-
istence Of this vault Only few Of the
Secret Council have ever gained admit
lance mere, and the secret of opening
the inner door is known only to myself
and one otheT-FTancisco PaOla-
''Paola!r I exclaimed.
Yes; it was he who conceived the
idea Of this vault: It was his genius that
planned a door which defieS any living
man to oper without a clear knowledge
of its secret. Even he, its inventor,
could not pass the door without my as
sistauce: for although he understan dS
the method. the means are in my pos
session. For this reason ] alone am e
sponsible for the safekeeping of our
records and treasure
The air is close and musty," said 1,
feeling oppressed in breathing
He looked upward
"A small pipe leads to the upper air,
permitting foul vapOrs to escape said
he; but only through the open door IS
fresh air admitted. Perhaps there should
be better ventilation. Yet that IS an IN
important matter, for 1 seldom remain
long in this place It Is a store-house
"a secret crypt-not work-ToOm. My
custom has been to carry all our records
and papers here each morning after
they have been in use, that they may
be safe from seizure or prying eyes
But such trips are aTduOus, ana am
not very strong Therefore I Will ask
you TO accompany me. hereafter"
That I shall do willingly l re-
piled.