The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-18
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
The House of a
Thousand Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright by
Uhe Bobbs Merrill Company
rrTA nTEn VT

said smiling and turning up his coat
collar. Don't forget me; I'm quartered
In a hermit's cell back OF the chapel,
and believe we can md many matters
OF interest TO talk about"
"Tm confident Of it, ] said. glad OF the
sympathy and cheer that seemed To
emanate from his stalwart figure
I threw on my overcoat and walked to
the gate with him, and saw him hurry
toward the village with long strides
CHAPTER XII.
"Bates!'--I found him busy replenlsh-
ing the candlesticks i'm the llbrary-it
seemed to me that he was always poking
about with an armful of candles,-"there
are a good many queer things In this
world. but 1 guess you're one OF the
dueerest I don't mind telling you that
there are times when l think you a
thoroughly bad lot. and then ! question
my judgmt<t and don't give you credit
for being much more than doddering
fool"
He was standing on a ladder beneath
the great crystal chandelier that hung
from the center OF the ceiling, and looked
down upon me with that patient injury
that is so appealing in a dog-in, say, the
eyes OF an Irish setter, when you ac-
cldentaily step on his tail That look Is
heartbreaking i'm a setter but. seen In n
man, It arouses the direst homicida feel
irgs OF which ! am capable.
yes, Mr.. Glenarm," he replied hupbly
Now L want you 10 grasp this Idea
that I'm going TO dig into this old shell
top and bottom; I'm going to blow 1t up
With dynamite, II | please; and II catch
you spying on me or reporting my doings
To my enemies, or engaging in any ques-
tionabe performances whatever, I'll hang
you between the posts out there In the
school Waldo you understand $50 that
dear little schoolgirls and the chaplain
and all the rest will shudder through all
their lives at the very thought Of you"
Certainly, Mr.. Glenarm. and his
tone was the same he would have used
if | had asked him 20 pass me the
matches. and under my breath con-
signed him to the harshest tortures OF the
fiery oft.
Now as TO Morgan"
Yes, sir"
What possible business do you sup
pose he has with Mr.. Pickering?" I de-
manded.
why. sir, that's clear enough Mr.
Pickering owns a house up the lake.
he got II through your grandfather.
Morgan has the care OF Il, sir"
VERY plausible, indeed!'-and sent
him off 10 his work.
After luncheon I went below and d.
rectly TO the end Of the corridor. and be-
gan 10 sound the walls. To the eye were
all alike. being OF cement, and substan-
tial enough
Through the area window | saw the sol
IA earth and snow; surely there was lit
tie here to base hope upon, and my won
der grew at the ease with which Morgan
had vanished through a barred window
and into frozen ground.
The walls az the end OF the passage were
as solid az rock. and they responded DULY
TO the stroke OF the hammer. I sounded
them on both sides, retracinR my steps 10
the stairway. becoming more and more
impatient at my ill luck or stupidity.
There was every reason why / should
know my own house. and yet a stranger
and an outlaw ran through II with amaz-
Ing daring.
After an hours idle search I returned
TO the end OF the corridor repeated all my
previous souudings. and, 1 fear. INDUCED
| In language unbecOming "A gentleman.
| Then, In my blind anger. | found what pa
tent search had not disclosed
| threw the hammer from me I'm a ne OF
temper; II struck upon a large square
In the cement floor which gave forth a
hollow sound. I was on my knees In an
infant my fingers searching the cracks,
and drawing down close ] could feel "A
current OF air slight but unmistakable,
against my face.
The cement square. though exactly like
the others in the cellar floor. was evil
IDENTIFY only a wooden imitation. covering
an opening beneath.
(To be continued tomorrow