The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-23
CHAPTER XI
Behind Trap Doors-Rescue Party

Instantly a flood of light poured
forth thru the opening. 1t was SO
bright that both children had to
step out of its path. Finally, after
getting used to it, they crept back
to the opening. Jimmie lead the
way and in a moment they found
themselves in room which was
highly lighted and the place was
filled with noise that sounded as
if machinery were running. But
the light moved in a semi-circle.
Virginia too surprised to speak,
was gazing at the moving rays of
light, when suddenly, she felt a
hand put over her mouth and she
was dragged from the room. jim
ME, who was also taking in the
sights of the room, and who had
observed quite few peculiarities
of the room, turned just as Vir-
ginia was being dragged through
the opening, and darted out after
her. He was just in time to see a
huge bulky looking form disappear
down the steps with Virginia who
was struggling with all her might.
Quickly removing his shoes, so
that he might follow with greater
speed, and certainly, with less
noise, he started to follow that
dark looking object.
1t was just disappearing around
the corner for the next descent of
stairs, when Jimmie got started.
He stayed far enough behind not
to be seen and yet to be able to see
them himself. He followed them
down to the first floor and from
there into series of rooms until
they finally came to the kitchen.
There, Jimmie followed them as
they started down a flight of mar
row stairs, which evidently led to
the cellar. But Jimmie had to stop
and watch from the stairs for fear
of being seen. He saw the man
pull aside an old mattress lying on
the floor and then pulled up a trap
door which lay behind it. He then
showed Virginia down through it
as he growled:
Nov, stay there, and don't go
tryin' to escape us again."
The man turned around so quick
and started back up the stairs that
Jimmie came very near being seen.
He lodged into a pantry as the
man re-entered the kitchen.
Breathlesly, Jimmie waited for
him to move on, when suddenly he
hoo nd a o1iolyipo Thn
had locked the door! Then he
moved away and when Jimmie
heard him again ascending the
stairs, he crept out of his hiding
place and ran to the door. But
luck was with him! The man had
indeed locked the door, but = he
had left the key in the door! Very
slowlyN and without a sound, jim
mic unlocked it, and after entering
upon the cellar steps, he locked it
from the inside. Almost jumping
down all Of the steps at once, jim
mie reached the bottom and then
pulling up the trap door, looked be-
low. He had thought that Virginia
had been thrust into a pit, but in
stead there were steps leading
down into hall-like place and a |
feeble light flickered in the dark
ness. Closing the door after him,
he descended, and stumbling thru
the darkness, followed the light !
ahead of him, which seemed to
shine forth from another room. AS
he rounded a corner, he came upon
it, and with muffled cry ran into
the room and gathered Constance
in his arms!
And Virginia, who had found her
way to Constance, looked on with
joy, as she viewed the scene. jim
ME did not know what to ask
first. He wanted to know so much
about how she had come there, and
also all about Virginia's last little
escapade. But first, he asked
about Jackie, and Constance led
him over into a darker portion of
the room and there, on a bed of
rags, lay Jackie. sound asleep and
Of any danger.
But they had no time to ask any
questions, for in a few minutes
they Heard heavy steps on the
stairs, and Jimmie, pulling Vir-
ginia after him, ran for one of the
dark recesses joining the little
room. They were none too soon,
for in less than second after
wards, two men entered the room,
,no of uhnu1 had corriad U;roiD;o