The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-06
CHAPTER XII.
/ Explore a PASSAGE,

1t 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 l guess you're
one of the queerest. / don't mind tell
ing you that there are times when l
think you a thoroughly bad lot, and
then again 1 question my judgment
and don't give you credit for being
much more than a doddering fool"
He was standing under ladder be-
meath the great crystal chandelier and
looked down upon me with that pa
tient inquiry that is so appealing in a
dog-in, say, the eyes of an Irish set
ter, when you accidentally step on his
tail
Yes, Mr.. Glenarm," he replied hum
bly,.
Now, l want you to grasp this idea
that I'm going to dig into this old shell
top and bottom; I'm going to blow it
up with dynamite, if l please; and If
l 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 $50 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, Mr.. Glenarm, and his
tone was the same he would have used
If I had asked him to pass me the
matches, and under my breath l 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 Mr.. Pickering?" de-
manded.
why, sir, that's clear enough. Mr.
Pickering owns house up the lake,
he got it through your grandfather.
Morgan has the care of it, sir"
Very plausible, indeed!"-and
sent him off to his work.
After luncheon I went to the end of
the corridor, and began to sound the
ana responded duly to the strokes Of
the hammer. l sounded them on both
sides, retracing my steps to the stair
way, becoming more and more impa-
ttent at my ill-luck or stupidity. There
was every reason why l 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,
I fear, INDUCED in language unbecOm-
ing a gentleman. Then, in my blind
anger, found what patient search had
not disclosed.
| threw the hammer from me in a
fit of temper and it struck one of the
square blocks in the cement floor
which gave forth a hollow sound. I
was on my knees in an instant, my
fingers searching the cracks, and draw
ing down close l could feel a current
of air, slight but unmistakable, against
my face.
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 its place
with a nicely that certified to the skill
of the hand that had adjusted it.
broke blade of my pocket-knife try
ing to pry it up, but, in q moment,
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 IN the
night, struck my face as 1 lay fat ant
peered into the opening. The lower
passage was as black as pitch. and
lighted a lantern I had brought will
NE, found that wooden steps gave safe
conduct below and went down.
I stood erect in the passage and haC
several inches to spare. 1t EXTENDED
both ways, running back under thu
foundations of the house, and Gu
squarely under the park before thu
house and toward the school wall. Th'
air grew steadily fresher, until, ate
I had gone about two hundred yards,
reached a point where the wind seeme'
to beat down on me from above. / pu
up my hands and found two opening
about three yards apart, through whlci
the air sucked steadily. I moved on
of the current with chuckle in m,
throat and a grin on my face. l ha
passed under the gate in the schoo
wall. and | knew now why the pier
: that held it had been built so high
they were hollow and were the mean
of sending fresh air into the tunnel.
When 1 had travelled about twent
yards more 1 felt slight vibration az
companied by mufled roar, and a
most Immediately came to a roug
wooden stair that marked the end c
the passage. l had no means or Juds
Ing directions, but I assumed that
was well within the school park.
I climbed the steps and in a momer