Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-27
Che Door
Of
BeWiideriaent

There are dead men inside. dare
say, Here. my lad, it not for me to
turn loose the family skeletons" and
Larry stood aside while | swung the
ak and brought it down with a crash
on the paddock. 1t was of no fiimsy
stuff and the remaining bricks cramped
me. but half dozen blows broke 1t of.
THE house OF a thousand ghosts"
chanted Larry, as ] pushed the door
open, crawled through and dropped
down INSIDE.
Whatever the place was it had a
floor and l set my feet firmly upon 1t
and turned to take the lantern.
Hold Bit" he exclaimed. Some
ones coming, and bending toward
the opening heard the sound of steps
down the corridor. In a moment Bates
ran up. calling my name with more
spirit than imagined possible in him.
What Is it?" demanded through
the opening.
ITS Mr. Pickering. The sheriff has
come with him, sir"
| AS he spoke his glance fell upon the
broken wall and open door. The light
of Larry's lantern struck full upon him
Amusement, and. l thought, certain
satisfaction, were marked upon his
countenance.
Run along. ,Iacls.-Ill be up little
later" said Larry. "If the fellow has
come in daylight with the sheriff. he
isn't dangerous It's his friends that
shoot in the dark that give us the
trouble"
crawed out and stood upright
Bates, staring at the opening seemed
reluctant to leave the spot.
You seem to have found 1t, SIR" hi
said,-I thought little chokingly. HI:
interest In the matter nettled me; /
was none of his affair, for one thing
and my first business was to go above
for an interview with the executor;
matter of immediate importance. a.
should have been clear to any one.
"Of course we have found it,"
calculated, brushing the dust from m
clothes.
rs Mr.. Stoddard in the library?"
"Oh, yes sir; left him entertainin
the gentlemen"
Their visit is certainly most ir
opportune," said Larry Give Their
my compliments and tell them III b
up as soon as I've articulated tn
bones Of my friends ancestors"
Bates strobe on ahead of me wit
his lantern, and left Larry crawlin
through the new-found door as hui
ried toward the house. l knew hir
we'll enough to be sure he would nc
leave the spot until we had found wha
lay behind the Door OF Bewildermen
You didn't tell the callers wher
you expected to find me. did your"
asked Bates, as he brushed me off
the kitchen.
mo. sir. Mr.. Stoddard received tn
gentlemen. He rang the bell for N
and when I went into the library b
was saying, Mr.. Glenarm Is at h
studies. Bates.-he says-'kindly tie
Mr.. Glenarm that I'm sorry to int
rupt him. but won't he please CON
DOWN. I thought 1t rather neat 81
considering his clerical ONCE. kne
|
trap door WAS open and found ye
easily enough"
Bates eyes we're brighter than I hi
ever seen them. A certain buoyal
note gave an entirely new tone to h
voice. He walked ahead of me to Il
o library door. threw 1t open and stot
r aside.
l "Ah. here you are. Glenarm," sa
q Stoddard. Pickering and a strang
' stood near the fireplace In their owe
!. coats.
a Pickering advanced and offered b
q hand. but turned away from HIM wit
!. out taking It. His companion, q bur
q countryman. stood staring. q paper
n his hand.
I. "The sheriff." Pickering explains
and our business Is rather personal