The Elbert County tribune., 1907-10-10
H5ERlAL&
G3STORYG1
THE HOUSE OF
A THOUSAND
CANDLES
By MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Aulhsr oi THE MAIN CHANCE" ZELDA
DAHER0h." Etc.
Copyright 1906 by Bobbs-Msrrin 90.
CHAPTER xxIv.-continued


THAT was originally trench for
natural gas pipes. There was once a
large pumping station on the site of
this house. with big trunk main run
ming OF across country to supply the
towns west OF here. The gas was ex-
hausted. and the pipes were taken up
before / began to build. l should
never have thought of that tunnel in
the world If the trench hadn't suggest
ed II. ] merely deepened and widened
It little and plastered 1t with cheap
cement as far as the chapel; and that
little room there where ! put Picker
ing's notes had once been the cellar
of house built for the superlntend-
ent OF the gas plant. ] never had any
idea that should use that passage as
a means of getting into my own house.
but Marian met me at the station, told
me that there was trouble here, and
came with me through the chapel into
the cellar, and through the hidden
stairway that winds around the chin
ney from that room where we keep the
oandle-sticks."
"But who was the ghost?" 1 demand
ed, 'ff you were really alive and in
Egypt?"
Bates laughed now.
"Oh. l was the ghosti I went
through there occasionally to stimu-
late your curiosity about the house.
And you nearly caught me oncel"
"One thing more, II we're not wear
ing you out-Id like to know whether
Sister Theresa owes you any money"
My grandfather turned upon Picker
ing with blazing eyes.
you scoundrel, you Internal scoun-
drel, Sister Theresa never borrowed
cent of me in her life. And you have
made war on that woman"
His rage choked him.
He told Bates to close the door of
the steel chest. and then turned to
me.
Where are those notes of Picker
ing's?" he demanded; and / brought
the packet.
Gentlemen. Mr.. Pickering has gone
to ugly lengths in this affair How
many murders have you gentlemen
committed?"
I'VE were about to begin actual kill
ing when you arrived" replied Larry,
grinning.
'"The sheriff got all his men off the
premises more or less alive. sir" said
Bates.
THAT Is good. It was all great
mistake.-a very great mistake; had
no idea such things could happen, -
and my grandfather turned to Picker
ing.
Pickering. what a contemplate
100000 to buy securities to give you
better standing in your railroad enter
prises. and the last time / saw you.
you got me to release the collateral SO
you could raise money to buy more
shares. Then, after died"-he
chuckled-'you thought you'd find and
destroy the notes and that would end
the transaction; and If you had been
smart enough to find them you might
have had them and welcome. But as
1t is, they go to Jack. If he shows any
mercy on you In collecting them he's
not the boy l think he is
Pickering rose, seized his hat and
backed away toward the shattered
library door He paused for moment.
his face livid with rage
you old fool" he screamed at my
grandfather. You old lunatlc. l wish
to God had never seen you! No won
der you came back to life! You're a
tricky old devil and too mean to die."
He turned toward me with some sim
liar complaint ready at his tongues
end: but Stoddard caught him by the
ohulders and thrust him out upon the
irrace.
A moment later we saw him cross
he meadow and hurry toward st
,gatha's.