American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-09-05
ccomplished by the genii of the

the ehtlre lower portion of the great
chimney had been swung aside, reveal
ing an opening amply large enough 70,
me entrance Of a man. / took one
step forward to where l could perceive
the beginning of a narrow windina
stair leading down into intense black
ness. Then l glanced aside into heI
eyes.
The concealment was perfect"
exclaimed in admiration. where does
the staircase lead?"
10 a very comfortable room under.
ground. 1t had NOT been used for a
generation until this war began. Eric
and learned of its existence by acct.
cent, while %rummaging over some of
u grandfather's old papers. was
aDolt sixteen then, and shall never
forget our first exploration. We found
nothing down there then but a rough
DUNK, an cid lanthorn, and the leath-
ern scabbard of a sword. But since
then Eric has been compelled to hide
there twice to escape capture. and we
have made the room below more COM
Portable, You will be Obliged TO erore
your way down the stairs, but at the
bottom will discover flint and steel,
and a lantern with ample supply of
candles. Peter will bring you food, if
you need remain there for long!"
Peter! Then he is in the secret 2"
Peter is in all secrets" she con-
fessed. From him nothing is hid, at
least so far as may concern the Morti-
mer family. You have yet to learn the
deep subtlety of Peter, Major Law
renee. He sees all things, retains all
things, and reveals nothing"
"A discovery already made"
No, barely glimpsed; no short ac-
qualntance such as yours has been
could ever serve to reveal the char
acter of Peter. Since babyhood he has
been my monitor and guide, and still
he remains to M a silent mystery"
"An old SERVANT"
eyes, born to the position, his father
serving before him. There is no doubt
in my mind but what he knew of this
secret passage before Eric and I We're
born. Not that he has ever confessed
as much, yet | am convinced our dis
covery of it brought no surprise to
Peter. What do you suppose his age
to be-"
My mind reverted to that expires.
sionless face without a wrinkle in it,
to that totally bald head, and my an.
swer was the merest guess.
"Oh, possibly fifty"
Il told you you were far from know
ing Peter" she laughed. He is seven
ty-twc, and, would you believe it, until
this war came, was never ten miles
from this spot"
"And since?" recalling the events OF
the night before.
"He has made it his duty to attend
me; he has become my shadow. From
he humdrum experience OF q respect
able house servant he has become the
very spirit of reckless adventure-he
has %journeyed to New York, to Tren
ton, to Philadelphia, to-"
might riding with Hessian for.
ayers" I broke in, disguised in a
Rangers uniform"
We'll, yes" she dimpled quietly,
even that"
waited for something more, some
explanation Of what all this concealed.
you trust me with so much" l yer.
tured, when she continued silent, at
would seem as if you might tell me
more"
Il cannot perceive whereby any
fin rt bar confession uran11 co,-z 49,,
Yet | have not refused to answer any
question surely. 1t is hardly safe for
us to remain here so long, and yet il
there be something you wish to ask
you could scarcely expect me tc
be entirely without curiosity. l have
been captured on the highway, brought
here a prisoner, and held under guard
all night. l supposed myself in Brit.
hands, only to discover that yoL
again interviewed to save me
Surely there must be a key to all this
mystery. If, as I suspect, it was youl
brother, Eric. who led the attack on
me, having mistaken me for another
what was his purpose? And what
has become of Eric?'
She Wrinkled her brows in perplex
ity, her hands nervously clasping the
back Of a chair.
ut is like being cross-eXamined by 8
Perhaps if the secret was all
my own l might freely confide il te
YOU. l do not promise I would, but ]
AS it is. l do not yet know
YOU quite well enough. I believe vow
o be Major Lawrence, that you are
Ill you represent yourself, but I an
pledged to silence, and the lives OF
depend upon my keeping faith.
You cannot urge me to do what | deem
1rong?"
NO; l shall always believe in you
q thank you for that. and her
land was extended frankly; Il would
'eveal n of the mysteries of last
if was not fearful it might cost
your respect"
How could that be possible?"
Because it might appear to you that