The Cook County herald., 1905-05-20

the building, which at one time during
the Cromwellian wars had been used
and partly erected for barracks by the
marquis of Clanricade, who in 1861 for
feited the castle Of Ardkyn, and held
out against the parliamentary army
for a year after the surrender of GAL
way.
In an edifice so vast and rambling,
Clarence had full scope for much
search and caution, as he dared not
kindle a light to guide his course;
and even had he dared, he had no
means by which he could strike and
maintain light.
He was faint, too, from much ex-
haustion and long fasting, and in
great need of sleep, as we'll as of food
and drink.
Gliding through dismantled rooms
and irregular corridors, yet fearing g
that even his noiseless movements
might attract the attention of the cap
tors of Helen, his progress was neces-
sarily exceedingly slow.
OCoCSllulu3 11ChCIy duO Clcdh1u9
stairways was his greatest peril and
fear, for despite his stealthiest of
movements, the loose boards or yield
ing fastenings would give forth sounds
which reverberated through the
dreary and hollow corridors.
At'last he heard the sound of voices,
and following the direction of the
noise for time, he at length saw
light streaming from a partially open
door of room on the ground floor of
the great building.
The room was at the end of one of
the larger corridors, and Clarence
knew that were he to venture into
this corridor with the hope of reach
ing room adjoining that whence the
sound of voices proceeded, he would
be exposed to the chance coming forth
Of some one from the latter; in which
case the partially opened door would
be thrown wide open, a stream OF
light would illuminate the full length
of the corridor, and he would be de-
tected.
"They do not suspect that any stran-
ger to their party is in the building, or
even near Dun Aengus," reflected
Clarence, "and as long as possible
must keep such suspicion from their
minds remember the room they are
in. 1t was quite serviceable kitchen
three years ago. But only ceiling of
boards are also the flooring of the
room above, loosely laid down. I will
venture thither!" :.
He turned, retraced his steps short
distance and descended a flight OF
stairs, down which he had crept few
minutes before.
Passing then through corridor, he
at last arrived at the door of the room
Immediately above that in which he
had heard voices. Crevices between
the boards of the floor enabled him to
see the light of fire in the room be.
low, and that near the center of the
floor was a broken spot as large as a
mans head.
Clarence sank softly down upon the
floor and began to softly draw himself
towards this orif1ce.
Cautious as he was, the loose boards
creaked slightly under his weight.
"Ha! What noise was that?" ex-
claimed stern and commanding voice
below.
And Clarence knew that it was
Lord Genlis who spoke.
"It was above said the voice of
Capt. Osred.
Clarence Immediately began to
scratch upon one of the boards with
his nails, producing an admirable imi-
tation of the gnawing of a rat
"Ha!-rats!" said the harsh growl
of Bashfort. "The old place swarms
with them.
Clarence here initiated to perfection
the squeak of a rat, and followed this
with the beating Of the boards with
the tips of his fingers, producing a
light humping sound, so like the noise
made by scampering rats that those
below were completely deceived.
Rats" repeated Bashfort, and
WnOpperS! l saw dozen, at least, as
fat as whales, in the we'll shaft. It is
a marvel to me what the rascals find
to eat. Listen to that fellow gnawing
up there! If we remain at Dun Aen-
gus long those hard-toothed knaves
will take toll of our larder. l will try
to kill few of them tomorrow. Ho!
I wonder if the sorcerer's meat will
not poison them!" he added, laughing
hoarsely.
'He is too far under water" replied
Lord Genlis. Il hope none of those
rats will disturb my sleep tonight"
BY this time Clarence had crawled
to the opening in the floor. It was so
large, however, and the freight below
was so brilliant, that he would not
have dared to place his face in range
of that radience, but for one fact,
which his quick and keen eyes soon
detected-spiders had spun webs
across the opening; this mass of cob
webs having become very heavy with
dust, hung downward, and without