New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-08-19
CHAPTER TX.
I Chamber of Horrors.

A Chamber of Horrors.
"HERE was no hesitancy as to
what must do. Now thatl had
discovered this secret passage
it must be thoroughly explor-
ed. The safest way was to burrow
through the dark, trusting to hands
''and feet for safety and prepared for
any encounter. Whoever might be
hidden away there would certainly
possess some light, sufficient for any
warning needed.
Standing on the sofa arm I found
little difficulty in pressing my body
forward into the aperture until extend
ing at full length the picture settled
noiselessly back into place against the
wall, excluding all light. Inch by inch
silently l worked forward. anxiously
exploring for the break in the floor,
which l knew to be only a few feet
distant. Even then l reached it IN
aware of it's proximity, experiencing
a sudden unpleasant shock as my ex-
tended hand CROPPED about. touching
nothing tangible.
was some time determining the ex-
act nature of what was before me.
There were no stairs. nor did any
shafts Of ladder protrude above the
floor level. Only as lay fat and felt
cautiously across from wall to wall
could determine what led below. All
was black as we'll, as noiseless as
! grave, yet there was a ladder exactly
fitting the space spiked solidly into the
flooring. My cropping fingers could
reach two Of the rungs, and they felt
sound and strong. With face outward
trusted myself to their support and
began the descent slowly, pausing be-
tween each step to listen and gripping
the side bars tightly. The blackness
and silence. combined with what an
ticipated discovering somewhere in
those depths below, set my nerves
tingling, yet felt cool and determined
to press on. Especially did l yearn to
learn something definite about Philip
. Henley. This to me was now the one
h matter of importance-to be assured
that be was living or dead.
counted twelve rungs going down
and then felt stone flags beneath my
WV, eAACAOu5u luC "dllS Oh 0lCu0I Sue,
as explored them with my hands,
were still of closely matched wood.
The passage, now high enough to per-
NIT of my standing erect. led toward
the rear OF the house, presenting no
obstacle other than darkness, until |
came up suddenly against heavy
wooden door, completely barring fur
= ure must be already directly beneath
the kitchen and close in against the
south wall. No sound reached me.
however. from above, nor could |, with
ear against the slight crack. distin-
gu1sh any movement beyond the bar
rier. Cautious lingering revealed close
~ matched hard wood, studded thick
ly with nail heads. but no keyhole or
latch. Secure in the feeling that no
one else could be in this outer passage.
and completely baf1ed. ventured to
strike match. The tiny yellow flame.
ere it quickly flickered out in some
mysterious draft. revealed an iron band
to the left of the door. with slight pro-
tuberance. resembling the button of
an electric bell.
Almost convinced that the pressure
OF my finger would ring an electric
bell I pressed the metal button. TO
my surprise and relief the only thing
to occur was the slow opening of the
door inward, dim CLEAN of light be-
coming visible through the widening
:. crack. | peered anxiously into the
9 dimly revealed interior. 1t was a base
ment room. half the width of the kitch-
,eu overhead, should Judge; the walls
of crude masonry, the floor Of brick,
the ceiling, festooned by cobwebs, of
rough hewn beams. The light, flicker
ing and dim, came from half burned
candle in an iron holder screwed
against the wall. revealing small ia
Bile, two chairs. one without a back,
and four narrow sleeping berths made
of rough boards. This was all, except
coat dangling from beam and a
small hand Ratchet lying on the floor.
There was. in the instant l had to
view these things. no semblance Of
movement or suggestion of human
presence. Assured of this, although
holding myself alert and ready, Slip
ped through the opening. Even as
stood there. uncertain and staring
about, sharp draft Of air extinguish-
ed the candle, and heard the snap
Of the lock as the door behind blew
back into position. About me was the
black silence of a grave.
~ backed against the wall, crouching
How, weapon in hand, scarcely ventur-
ling to breathe. listening intently for
the slightest sound to break the in
tense silence. There must be another
opening into this underground den
one leading to the outer air-judging
from that sudden and powerful sue
ton. The very atmosphere breathed
had freshness to it. inconceivable in
such a Mace otherwise That sudden