The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-02-13
not :otlced it before. He turned to the

north side OF the room.
Philip lighted match after match he
fore he finally hit upon u solution Of
the mystery.
If 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
surprised exclamation it was quite
probable that Peter was imprisoned in
the next room. on the other side Of
the north wall.
In case Philip should discover the
secret spring which Peter must have
operated and he in turn should press
| it, what would be the result?
In all probability he would be cals
ried around with the swinging wai!s
into the next room. and Peter, If h:
stood within range Of the north wait.
would be swept back into the original
chamber-in either case they would be
parted
Nevertheless Philip intended to try
| to rejoin Peter Cook.
But first he lifted his voice and ShOnf
ed, Peter, Peter. Peter!''
'P-eterw was echoed back at him
from the mocking walls.
Philip made careful examination of
the northwest corner Of the chamber.
where Peter Cook had been sitting OH
the floor He sat down in the exact
spot and, lighting more matches.
searched for the hidden spring. In tho
uncertain light the floor seemed entire
ly of one piece-a smooth expanse Of
polished gray stone which reflected the
fare of his match.
Back and forth across the floor his
hand moved slowly without result: then
up and down. here and there. closely
scanning the walls near the tioor-with-
out result His match crNmpled up.
and the growing cinders dropped to
the floor They fell into tiny depres-
sion round and sunken just below the
surface of the floor 1t was perhaps IN
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
Il creaking clank, and with Incredible
swiftness he was caught by the NOV
ing northwest angle OF the room end
shot around into black space.
He felt himself sliding rapidly across
smooth floor. and as the crcaking
clank died away and the floor tremhled
slightly Philip bumped sharply againsi
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 donht 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, grinnetl
and grimaced the god of war. All
about him were idols similar to those
in the room ne had just left.
The swinging walls had given his
body such impetus that he had slid all
across the room into what might he
termed an isle of safety. lie knew
that Peter would guess what had oc
Cured and that the youth would nj
once operate the secret spring and join
his employer rs soon as possible
Therefore Philip resolved to remain
quietly where he was until Peter should
appear
He had not long to wait. Within
ten minutes there came the same
creaking clank, tremble Of the tiool
and rush of air in the darkness
When the noise and vibration had ceas
ed Peters voice came sharply
"Are you there. Mr.. Newton?''
"Yes," said Philip gladly. ''Come ove'
to this side of the room. Peter"
In a trice they found each other il
the darkness and were joyfully shak
ing hands and relating their expert
ences.
"How did you discover the secre
spring, Peter?" asked Philip at last.
Peter spoke sheepishly. Il had M,
knife and was trying shots at the lttl.
hole in the floor when all at once tn.
knife struck it sharply. and then some
thing hit my back. and the next thin:
that | knew | was in this room III
alone
Perhaps it will turn out the hes
thing that could have happened to us.
said Philip There may he some exl
from this room ] have thorough,
!. none whatever"
"You forget the swinging wall" SAT-
Peter slyiy.
] Philip laughed Il don't think wi
, forget il very soon Peter 1t gave III
! the surprise of my life: Il very ngel
!, i;,s contrivance indeed My theory
! that the god of war is the pivotal cei
ter upon which the walls revolve."
1.-The god of war;" repeated Peter j
n puzzled tone Il don't understand
! His ex%e:lency the god Of war. e,
. planned Philip. "is now guarding til
+ other room His rightful position
, the center of the dividing wall herr
aud from his size and weight shout
D say that upon his shoulders rests tn
D responsibility Of moving the wallis.
5 Il will strike II match presently. all
then yon will observe that the tW
. i;ni$ which occupied the nort'l wall {
t the other chamber are still with us
In fact. YOU brought them along. r
. ter
! Philip scratched match, and in i