Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-24
CHAPTER XII.
! Explore q PASSAGE.

49NtAs the conltesucks In the library
1t seemed 10 me that he was always
poking about with an armful Of can
dies. 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
think you q 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 a ladder b.
Meath the great crystal chandelier and
looked down upon me with that ma
uent inquiry that Is so appealing in a
dOg-in. say. the eyes OF al Irish set
ter. when you accidentally step on his
tail.
Yes. Mr.. Glenarm." he replied hum
bly,.
Now. I want you % grasp this idea
that I'm going 90 dig into this old shell
top and bottom: I'm going TO blow Il
up with dynamite. 81 I please. and n
catch you spying on me or reporting
my doings 60 my enemies. or engaging
IN any questionable performances
whatever. III hang you between tho
posts out there in the school Waldo
you understand so that the sweet
Sisters OF St Agatha and the dear 1T
tie school girls and the chaplain and
ell the rest viii shudder through an
their lives at the very thought OF YOU
Certainly. Mr.. Glenarm and his
tone was the same h. would have used
n I bad asked him to pass me the
matches. and under nay breath I con
signed him 90 the hardest tortures OF
the fiery pit.
Now. as 90 Morgan"
Yes. sir"
What possible business DO you sup
pose he has with Mr.. Pickoring?' I de-
handed
Why. sir. that's clear enough. Mr..
Pickering owns a house up the lake
be got Il through your grandfather
Morgan has the care OF it. SIR"
Very plausible, indeed and
sent him on TO bis work.
After luncheon went 90 tho end OF
the corridor. and Began 20 sound the
walls. They were as solid as rock.
and responded duly 20 the strokes of
the hammer. ! sounded them on both
sides, retracins my steps 20 the stair
way. becoming more and more impa-
uent AZ my m-lucll or stupidity There
was every reason why should know
my own house. and yet a stranger and
an outlaw ran through Il with amazing
daring.
After an hours idle search re-
turned % the end OF the corridor. re-
peated all my previous soundlngs. and.
fear. INDUCED I'm language unbecom-
Ing a gentleman. Then. in my blind
anger. found what patient search had
not disclosed.
/ threw the hammer from me In a
az OF temper and Il struck one OF the
square blocks IN the cement aoor
which gave forth hollow sound.
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.
The cement square. though exactly
IKE the others IN the cellar floor. was
evidently only an imitation. with an
opening beneath.
The block was fitted into It's place
with a nicely that certified 20 the skill
OF the hand that had adjusted IL.
broke blade OF my p0cket-llnife try
ing TO pry &c up. but. in moment. I
succeeded. and found II 90 be in reality
trap door, hinged % the substantial
part Of the hoor.
A current OF cool, fresh air. the
same that had surprised me IN the
night, struck my face as lay fat and
peered into the opening. The lower
passage was as black as pitch. and /
lighted lantern I had brought with
me. found that wooden steps gave safe
conduct below and went down.
stood erect In the passage and had
several inches 20 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
/ had gone about two hundred yards,
reached a point where the wind seemed
10 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 a grin on my face. l had
passed under the gate in the school
wall, and I knew now why the piers
that held u had been built so high
they were hollow and were the means
OF sending fresh air into the tunnel
When I had travelled about twenty
yards more felt slight vibration &C
compRnied by a mufied roar, and al
most Immediately came to rough
wooden stair that marked the end of
the passage. l had no means Of Judg-
ing directions. but I assumed that
was well within the school park.
climbed the steps and II q moment
stood blinking, my lantern In hand, In
small. foored room. Overhead the
tumult and thunder OF an organ ex-
planned the tremor and roar had
heard below. / was IN the crypt Of St
Agatha's chapel The inside OF the
door by which. had entered was a
part Of the wainscoting Of the room,
and the opening wSs wholly covered
with a map of the Holy Land.
It was all very strange and interest
ing ! looked at my watch aud found
that a. was Ave O'Clock huf I roSolvad