The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-07-18

oAo ~ Aau toSctiitT SOuc w cI Tue eu-
tire surface inch by inch. Apparently
the mantei was as solid and immov-
able as the closely fitted stones OF the
chimney. l stepped back. staring in
bewilderment. beginning 10 doubt the
evidence OF my own sight. O'Brien
still held the lamp in unsteady hands.
II tould yc. sor." he burst out wildly,
that was 10 human. Twas the divirs
own face that saw. an niver doubt
Of it."
Whatever the cause or purpose.
whatever Of hel!ish suffering lay be
hind. that dreadful apparition pictured
the very spirit Of mUrder-murder in
the dark.
Two murders have been committed
In this house within forty eight hours
O'Brien. You and | both saw that
mantel move until 1t revealed an open
ing. II was done by human hands
and the face which c!ared out ut us
was a human face. II was devilish
enough. | admit. but with flesh and
blood behind It Now shake yourself
together and stand by. for l am going
to find way in. and you are going
along with me-"
He did not appear very promising
subject. and half expected 10 see him
break for the stairs.
Come on. lad,' insisted. "Place
the lamp on the chair. 90 you can keep
the gun in your hands while feel over
every inch of this con:rivance. There
is spring lock here somewhere"
heard him cock the carbine the
sharp click plainly audible in the 81.
lence. and was pleased to note the thin
line of his compressed lips.
Are ye sure it was human. sor?" he
said. wipins the perspiration from his
forehead with one hand.
''Thcy were insane eyes. that was all.
O'Bricn. Now stand steady"
The mantel fitted back into the chin
ney SO perfectly found no spot where
even the thin blade of my knife could
lind entrance; the stones were solidly
mortarcd. and the iron fire screen was
bolted down securely in place. A brass
rail extended out foot or so and ran
across the front. and two iron and
irons were let In through slight cut
ting of the screen. moved one Of
these. finding it loose. and then placed
cause knew not what else to do.
To my surprise 1t was immovable.
seemingly as solid as the stones be
meath. ! cndeavored to pull it FORTH
but without result
Here's a queer thing. O'Brien." l
exclaimed: that other andiron is loose
but this one is fastened solidly."
He leaned over and stared at 1t. his
gun ready under one arm.
"Thry puilin' up on it. sor." he sug
gested. Maybe it's just caught on
something"
got up from my knees and bent
down. both hands gripping the iron.
As l Strengthened my arms without
the slightest resistance or noise the
bur uplifted q bare inch and then
caught again with dull metallic
click. There was a low whir as Of
some hidden machinery. and l 0Rpped
back. gripping the revolver IT my
belt, uncertain whether my pull had
operated the strange contrivance or
whether some happening was respon'
sible. Slowly. utterly silent but for
that soft whirring. the mantel swung
as on central pivot halfway round
and then stopped with click. leaving
before us a black opening large enough
to admit easily the passage Of mans
body and about four feet high.
seemed to see this and O'Brien's face
at the same instant His limbs shook
under him.
"Uncock your carbine." ordered.
There is nothing there to shoot at.
See" and caught up the lamp and
held 1t where the light streamed
through the opening. 1t was simply
the interior of huge chimney built
of stones carefully mortared and 80
clean rs to be proof positive no smoke
had ever passed that way. The open
ing downward was square, three feet
across l Judged. but as l held the
lamp lower the passage appeared to
widen out considerably below the floor
level. and caught glimpse of ladder
with wide steps tilted to such IN an
gle as to make climbing scarcely more
difficult than would a pair Of stairs.
In n niche of the wall on a wooden
shelf was lantern and metallic
box Of matches. l handed O'Brien the
lamp. bidding him place 1t on the
chair. and then stepped inside the
opening upon the narrow stone rim
encirclins the shaft My extended
hand touched the roof. seemingly
proving that the form Of chimney
above was a mere sham. intended to
bear out the deception of the fireplace.
yet several iron bars conveniently To-
Gated for steps were bolted to the side
wall. making me suspicious that the
space above might be utilized as
small room. shook the lantern.
found 1t half filed with oil and ap-
piled match to the wick. The yel-
low fame gave a good view of the
narrow quarters, but. although ! held
it above my head. scanning the close