The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-10-15
what Is it,"

"A secret passageway leading into
my room. 1t seems t run along the
hall. The wall there is at least four
feet thick-room for q man to walk.
There Is a panel in the wall In my
room leading into 1t. l vas just pry-
ing 1t open when you signaled."
"Oh. how l wish I could see It'll"
"Why can't you? Slip out Of your
front door, and I'll be at my door to
admit you"
II can't do that. Mother and Claire
are in the front part OF the house
playing bridge with some guests. They
will be sure to~3ear mi going out"
'"Come in tomorrow morning, them"
I suggested.
She did not answer. and before |
realized what she was doing, Barbara
was out on the ledge making her
perilous way across to my window.
III Claire can do this, l cam" she
announced triumphantly. as l, trem.
bling all over at the thought Of the
peril she had been in. put my arms
about her and helped her in.
Darling" I cried, still holding her
in my arms, don't ever do that again.
It's too dangerous. Promise me. Bar
bara, dear. you'll never again try
that"
With her pretty face flushed at the
terms Of endearment that had unwit.
tingly escaped me, she la%ughingly re
leased herself from my arms.
THAT was nothing" she said in .
tense whisper. where's the panel1"
Relieved to find that she was not
angered by my presumption. l has
tened to turn up the light and pointed
at the hole In the wall. AS l had done.
she sprang up on the chair and en-
deavored to push the panel further
back, but was unable to bulge 1t.
Quicker witted than I, she then tried
sliding 1t along. At the slightest
touch 1t slid back in a groove, reveal
ing the opening-leading into what3
Striking . match. we both Of rs
peered in. The space between the
walls was certainly high enough and
side enough for a man to walk there
In comfort. So far as the fickering
light Of the match enabled VI to judge.
1t ran the length OF the hall. and neal
its further end there appeared to be
some steps.
"Come." cried the intrepid Barbara.
'let's explore It,"
mo-" l said firmly. I'VE must
do nothing until l have seen the de-
tective. W. have put the case in his
hands,"
"But we must ind out about It,"
protested the girl.
Tomorrow" I said. 1--WE know
where It is. We know where the
voices and whispers come from now"
II WONDER" she said thoughtfully,
III there is the same sort Of q pas
sageway In our apartments"
"Promise me that II You find there
IL one. you will not attempt to explore
It alone"
As we argued about It we both
stopped short and with blanching
faces listened. From sornewhere-it
sounded as II It was right below s.
we heard sounds az II two people were
struggling. Then came q woman's
shrek, 4 wild scream with the death
terror In 1t. The sound seemed close
at hand. It seemed to come right up
from the opening In the panel BY which
we were standing.
Once more there came an awful
screams scream stopped on short ~
II some brutal hand had throttled the
wOman's throat.
"What Is it?' cried Barbara.
Listen" I commanded. 'It seems
to come from the floor below"
Holding Dur breaths we strained our
Ears for further sounds. Suddenly .
shot rang out, and there was . thud
as II a body had fallen to the door.
Then all IA silence.
With terror In our faces we turned
to each other. seeking an explanation
which neither could give.
'Mother-Claire |" cried Barbara.
They'll be alarmed. ! must 60 back
to them at once"