Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-28
CHAPTER XII. Explore a Passaaa.

s'n.ue .no CdAuleStIckS ln the library -it seemed to me that he was always poking about with an armful of can. dles,- there are a good many queer things in this world, but guess you're one of the Queerest. I don't mind tell. Ing you that there are times when l think you 8 thoroughly bad lot, and then again I question my judgment and don't give you credit for being much more than a doddering fool"
 He was standing under ladder be. nsath the great crystal chandelier and looked down upon ne with that pa. tient inquiry that is 50 appealing in a dog-in. say, tho eyes of an Irish set. tor. when you accidentally step on bis tail.
 Yes. Mr. G!enarm." Ae replied hura. ply.
 Now, l want you to grasp th;s idea that I'm going to dig into this old shell top and bottom: I'm going to blow it up with dynamite, if please: and if catch you spying on me or reporting my doings to my enemies, or engaging in any questionable performances whatever, I'll hang you between tho posts out there in the school waldo you understand? ?-so that the sweet Sisters of St. Agatha and the dear lit- tie school girls and the chaplain and all the rest will shudder through all their lives at the very thought of you" :"
 Certainly, MT. Glenarm, his bone was the same hs would have used If I had asked him to pass me the matches, and under my breath con signed him to the hardest tortures of the fiery pit.
 "Now, as to Morgan"
 ''Yes, sir"
 What possible business do you sup pose he has with Mir. Pickering?" de handed
 Why, sir, that's clear enough. MT Pickering owns house up the lake, he got it through your grandfather Morgan has the care of it, sir"
 Very plausible. indeed!"-and sent nm on to h1S work.
 After luncheon I went to the end oi the corridor, and began to sound the walls. They were as solid as rock and responded duly to the strokes oi the hammer. I sounded them on both sides, retracing my steps to the stair ! way, becoming more and more impa ltient at my ill-luck or stupidity. There was every reason why I should know my own house, and yet a stranger and an outlaw ran through it with amazing daring
 After an hours idle search I re turned to the end of the corridor, re peated all my previous soundings, and fear, indulged in language unbecom. ing a gentleman. Then, in my blind anger, found what patient search had not disclosed.
 1 threw the hammer from me in a fit of temper and it struck one of the square blocks Tn the cement floor which gave forth hollow sound. l was on my knees in an instant, my fingers searching the cracks, and draw. ing down close I could feel a current of air. slight but unmistakable, against my face.
 f The cement square. though exactly like the others in the cellar floor, was evidently only an imitation, with an opening beneath.
 The block was fitted into it's place with nicety that certified to the skill of the hand that had adjusted it. I broke blade of my pocket-knife try. ing to pry 1t up. but, in a moment, I succeeded, and found it to be in reality a trap door, hinged to the substantial part of the floor.
 A current of cool, fresh air. the same that had surprised me Tn the night, struck my face as lay fiat and peered into the opening. The lower passage was as black as pitch. and I lighted lantern I had brought with inc, found that wooden steps gave safe conduct below and went down. stood erect in the passage and had fseveral inches to spare. IL extended both ways. running back under the foundations of the house, and cut squarely under the park before the house and toward the school wall. The air grew steadily fresher. until. after I had gone about two hundred yards, I reached point where the wind seemed to beat down on me from above. put up my hands and found two openings about three yards apart, through which the air sucked steadily. I moved out of the current with a chuckle in my throat and grin on my face. I had passed under the gate in the school wall. and I knew now why the piers that held 1t had been built so high they were hollow and were the means of sending fresh air into the tunnel.
 When [ had travelled about twenty yards more I felt a slight vibration ac- companied by a mufied roar. and al. most immediately came to a rough wooden stair that marked the end of tine passage. had no means Of jJdE ing directions, but I assumed that vas well within the, school ps.k.
 climbed the steps and in islo'.sn: st,cd blinking. my lantern in hand. in 6 small. foorei room Overhead the tImult and thunder of a1 organ e1- plaiaed the tremcr and roar I asi ;seard below. was sl the crypt of St Agatha's chapel The inside of tie door 5y which I hs1 entered was part of the wz.nscotins Of the room and the opening was wholly covered with a map of the Holy Land
 Ii was all very strange and interest ing. looked at my watch and found