Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-04-11

east wall.
It was the same.
Then Philip dropped upon bis knees
and examined the floor.
The light had grown 30 dim by this
time that he was obliged to open his
matchbox and strike a match.
BY it's little fare he could make out
long semiclrcuiar scratches sweeping
from west to east
There was a light covering Of dust
on the door. and some object had swept
II clean In places. There we're long,
Irregular spaces as though some heavy
body bad been dragged around the
north side OF the room.
Philip lighted match after match be-
fore he finally hit upon a solution Of
the mystery.
II Peter Cook had accidentally press
ed some hidden spring which control
led the revolving walls and had been
swept around into an adjoining room
before he could do more than utter a
surprised exclamation It was quite
probable that Peter was imprisoned in
the next room. on the other aide Of
the north wall.
In ease Philip should discover the
secret spring which Peter must have
operated and he in turn should press
Il, what would be the RESULT
In all probability be would be car
ried around with the swinging walls
into the next room. and Peter, II he
stood within range OF the north wall,
nrauII be awuank huDlr tnNC Tho nRfnNn01
chamber-in either case they would be
parted.
Nevertheless Philip intended to try
10 rejoin Peter Cook.
But frat he lifted his voice and shout
ed, peter, Peter, Peterl'
"P-eterl' was echoed back at him
from the hooking walls.
Philip made a careful examination Of
the northwest corner OF the chamber,
where Peter Cook had been sitting on
the floor. He sat down in the exact
spot and. lighting more matches.
searched for the hidden spring. In the
uncertain light the door seemed entire
ly OF one piece-a smooth expanse Of
polished gray stone which reflected the
dare OF his match
Back and forth across the floor his
hand moved slowly without result; then
up and down, here and theie. closely
scanning the walls nea the foor-with-
out result. His match crumpled up,
and the growing cinders dropped to
the door. They fell into a tiny depres-
sion round and sunken Just below the
surface Of the floor. It was perhaps an
inch In diameter.
Philip crowed softly as he pulled out
his knife. With the handle he pressed
down into the little cavity. In the
darkness he felt something give way
beneath the knife handle. There was
a cracking clank, and with Incredible
swiftness he was caught by the NOV
ing northwest angle Of the room and
shot around into black space.
He felt himself sliding rapidly across
a smooth floor. and as the creaking
clank died away and the hoor trembled
slightly Philip bumped sharply against
a hard wall and stopped.
He struck another match and looked
about. 1t was as he had supposed.
He was now In the duplicate cham
Der, and Peter Cook was no doubt back
in the prison room
Philip was now on the farther side
Of the duplicate chamber and out Of
reach Of the revolving walls. Before
him, against the south wall, grinned
and grimaced the god Of war. All
about him were idols similar TO those
In the room he had just left
The swinging walls bad given his
body such impetus that be had slid all
across the room into what might be
termed an isle Of safety. He knew
that Peter would guess what had Oc-
Cured and that the youth would at
onc operate the secret spring and Join
his employer as Boon as possible
Therefore Philip resolved to remain
quietly where he was until Peter should
appear.
He had not long to walt Within
ten minutes there came the same
creaking clank, a tremble of the door
and a rush Of air IN the darkness
When the noise and vibration had ceas
ed Peters voice came sharply.
Are you there. Mr.. Newborn
Yes" said Philip gladly. Come oveI
to this side Of the room, Peter"
In n tricO they found each other In
the darkness and were Joyfully shak.
ing hands and relating their expert
ences-
How did you discover the secret
spring. Peter7" asked Philip at last.
Peter spoke sheepishly. II had my
knife and was trying shots at the little
hole In the hoor when all at Once the
knife struck It sharply. and then some
thing hit my back, and the next thing
that l knew l was In this room al
alone"
Perhaps It will turn out the besi
thing that could have happened to u.s.
said Philip. There may be some exit
from this room. / have thoroughly
searched the other one, and there d
none whatever"
you forget the swinging wall" said
Peter slyly.
Philip laughed. II don't think l viii
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