The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-07-20
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hole?'" he whispered. I'm the days
when Meudon Hall was built, no coun-
try house was without its hiding
place. Protestants and priest, Roy
alists and Republicans, they all used
the secret burrow at one time or
another"
Glow did he get in?"
THAT is what we are here to dis
cover; and as have no wish to destroy
Mr.. Fords old oak panels think
our simplest plan will be to wait
until he comes back again"
The shadows leapt upon us as
Peace extinguished the light he carried.
The great window alone was luminous
with the faint starlight that showed
the tracery of its ancient stonework;
for the rest, the darkness hedged us
about in impenetrable barriers. Side
by side, we stood by the wall in which
we knew the secret entrance must
exist.
1t may have been ten minutes or
more when from the distance--some-
where below our feet, or so it seemed
to me-there came the faint echo of
a closing door. 1t was only in such
cold silence that we could have heard
it, The time licked on. Suddenly,
upon the black of the floor, there
shone thin reflection like the slash
of a sword-a reflection that grew into
broad gush of light as the sliding
panel in the wall, six feet from where
we stood, rose to the full opening.
There followed another pause, during
which l could see Peace draw himself
together as if for some unusual exer-
ton.
A shadow darkened the reflection
on the floor, and head came peering
out. The light but half displayed the
face, but | could see that the teeth
were bare and gIistening, like those
of man in some deadly expectation.
the threshold.
With spring like the rush of
terrier, Arlington Peace was upon
him, driving him off his balance with
the impact of the blow. One loud
scream he gave that went echoing away
into the distant corridors. But, before
/ could reach them, the little detective
had him down, though he still kicked
viciously until | lent hand. The
click of the handouts on his wrists
ended the matter.
1t was Fords valet, the man Jack
son.
We were not long by ourselves. /
heard quick patter of naked feet
from behind us, and Harbord, the
secretary, came running up, swinging
a heavy stick in his hand. Ransom
followed close at his heels They
both stopped at the edge Of the patch
of light in which we were, staring from
us to the gaping hole in the wall.
What in thunder are you about?"
cried the manager.
Finding solution to your prob
lem," said the little detective, getting
to his feet. Perhaps, gentlemen,
you will be good enough to follow me"
He stepped through the opening
in the wall, and lifted the candle which
the valet had placed on the floor whilst
he was raising the panel from within.
BY its light | could see the first steps
of a flight which led down into dark
ness.
ave will take jackson with u.s."
he continued. keep an eye on him,
Mr.. Phillips, if you please"
1t was strange procession that
we made. First Peace, with the
candle, then Ransom, with the valet
following, while l and Harbord brought
up the rear. We descended some thirty
steps, formed in the thickness Of the
wall, opened heavy door, and SO found
ourselves in q narrow chamber, some
twelve feet long by seven broad.
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