Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-26
CHAPTER XY.


 W stared at the blank stones, but
 & they returned no sign from their M unayailing grayness. The silence
 began to speak ill that gloomy place. Recovering myself l put down the lantern and considered. First l put the key in my pocket, definite preeaution which was to influence strangely the history of this narrative. It was not conceivable tlat any one could have opened the heavy door when it was locked, yet the prisoner was gone. If he is gone, said aloud in order to reassure myself, "he must needs have gone by some hole" That was incontrovertible. 1 decided, too that the means of escape must lie within the dungeon. Once more 1 in- spected the huge oakcn door and shook my head. Was there any flaw in the wood? Perchance there was a secret spring in a panel. I went over the surface carefully, but found nothing
 'Very we'll" said I, Il will unriddle this or be hanged for a felon,' and l set to work upon the walls. Inch by inch I passed the masonry under my scrutiny, but made no discovery. II will go over it again" I declared des- perately and resumed my work from the beginning. 1 had not reached q point very far from the door on this second round of investigation when my glance slid off at venture and al- most mechanically rested upon the treasure chests. Something unfamiliar in their appearance vaguely persisted in my thoughts. 1 left off fumbling with the wall and stood gazing at them. They took my eyes with inter- est, and. crossing the room. 1 shed the light upon the cases, lingering the gold pieces under the broken ld. One, two, three-they stood exactly as-no. that was the point. They had been moved.
 With a new Zest examined the floor, and, sure enough, enc of these chests had been pulled out from the wall as far as it's own width l peeped over it, Illuminating the space beyond. The slab of stone which the box had coy cred was like the other flags that made the floor of the dungeon. leaned low ar, and, sitting crosSWays on the chest, pushed the slab with my foot It clanked duly to the kick Of my heel: but, what was even more amazing to me it seemed 10 shlddcr and tremble beneath me Fully aroused to action, flung myself over and aligited with both feet h0rd HD9n the iI}0ri9@. In another moment l Wds tipped forward and felt myself falling prceipiiatelF upon my face. Catching at Gle chest with one hand, 1 saved myself. but in the effort the lantern fcA from my hand and went out.
 Slowly gropel in the darkness and struck a match, reIighting the candle. Then l turned to the slab of stone.
 Ii lay open, displaced. one end pro truding upward, and. as saw, had twisted oil some kind of axle Below was disclosed d great mouth of dark ness.
 Come" said I to myself, T think l know where friend Hood is, and this begins to get interesting.'
 1 felt in my pocket where my re yolyer lay safely, and, seizing the can dle, plunged into the evil looking hole. A stairway of stone ran downward, but very steeply. and l had the utmost difficulty in preventing myself from pitching forward against the rough masonry of the opposite wall. The walls brushed me upon either side as descended, so narrow was the funnel. Down, down l went, until presently l reached q sort of landing, which broad. ened into q little irregular chamber Here q ray of light caught my eye, and 1 followed it till l happened upon a small door in the wall. X huge key was in the lock, but the bolt was not turned. and by Wrenching hard l forced the door open. l now looked down upon the waters of the moat. in which my tiny flame danced ill tine growing rkls 'ss.
 After q lithc consideration 1 saw Wlor ! w}s. This must be q sally port, giving access to tAe fos~e. In- deed, the water leapel the lowermost step. npaA= which I -~t,aG. Ms it by