The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-11-16

Win good hight and an easy con-
science. may think was a tlmid fool:
yet ! was afraid honestly and openly
afraid The little detective heard the
news of Il In my voice, for he gave me
a reassurlng pat upon the back
Have you ever heard Of priests
hole?' he whispered In the days
when Meudon Hall was built, no coun-
try house was without It's hiding place.
Protestants and priests, Royalists and
Republicans, they all used the secret
burrow at one time or another"
How did he get in?"
THAT is what we are here TO dis
cover; and MS | have no wish TO de.
stroy Mr.. Fords old oak panels
think our simplest plan will be to wait
until he comes back again"
The shadows leapt upon us as Peace
extinguished the light he carried. The
great window alone was luminous with
the faint starlight that showed the
tracery OF its ancient stonework for
the rest the darkness hedged as
about in impenetrable barriers. side
by side. We stood by the wall I'm which
we knew the secret entrance must
exist.
II may have been ten minutes or
more when from the dlstance--some-
where below our feet, or so IL seemed
TO me-there came the faint echo OF
closing door IL was only In such
cold silence that we could have heard
II. The time licked on. Suddenly.
upon the black OF the floor there
shone a thin reflection like the slash
OF a sword-a reflection that grew into
broad gush OF light AS the sliding
panel In the wall. six feet from where
We stood. rose 10 the full opening.
There followed another pause. during
which | could see Peace draw himself
together as II for some unusual exer-
ton
A shadow darkened the reflection
on the floor and head came peering
out The light but half displayed the
face, but | could see that the teeth
We're bare and gllstening like those
OF man in some deadly expectation.
The next moment he stepped across.
the threshold
With spring like the rush OF a
terrier. Addlngton Peace was upon
him. driving him on his balance with
the impact OF the blow One loud
scream he gave that went echoing
away into the distant corridors But
before | could reach them, the little
detective had him down. though he
still kicked yiciously until ! lent a
hand. The click OF the handouts on
his wrists ended the matter
II was Ford's valet the man Jack
son.
We were not long by ourselves
heard quick patter OF naked feet
from behind ms. and Hartford the sec
rotary, came running up, swinging a
heavy stick in his hand Ransom fol
lowed close at his heels They both
stopped at the edge Of the patch OF
light in which We were. staring from
us to the gaping hole in the wall
what In thunder are YOU about ?"
cried the manager
Finding a solution TO your prob
lem" said the little detective. getting
to his feet Perhaps, gentlemen, you
will be good enough 10 follow me"
lie stepped through the opening Ia
the wall, aud lifted the candle which
the valet had placed on the floor
whilst he was raising the panel from
within. by IT'S light could see the
first steps Of flight which led down
into darkness
we will take Jackson with us. he
continued Keep an eye on him, MIR.
Phillips II you please"
II was a strange procession that We
made First Pence. with the candle,
then Ransom with the valet follow
ing while ! and Hartford brought mp
the rear. We descended some thirty
steps formed In the thickness Of The
wall opened heavy door. and 20
found ourselves In narrow chamber,
some twelve feet long by seven broad.
Upon mattress at the further end
lay man. gagged and bound. Az the
light fell upon his features Ransom
sprang forward, shouting his name.
"Silas Ford by thunder"
With eager fingers We loosened the
gag and cut the ropes that bound bis
wrists lie sat up, turning hrs long.
thin face from one 10 the other OF us
as he stretched the crRmp from HIS
limbs.
Thank You. gentlemen" said he.
Well Ransom. how are things
bad. sir but it's not too late"
He nodded his head passing bis
hands through his hair with a quick.
nervous movement
You've caught my clever friend
see Kindly 20 through his pockets
Will your lie has something / must
ask him 10 return Co me
We found Il I'm Jackson's pocket
book-a cheque, antcdpted week. for
Ave thousand pounds. with covering
letter TO the manager OF The bank
Ford took the bit OF stamped paper.