My first thought was to find the crypt door and return

through the tunnel before Bates reached the house.

The chapel was open, and by lighting matches I found

my way to the map and panel. I slipped through and

closed the opening; then ran through the passage with

gratitude for the generous builder who had given it a

clear floor and an ample roof. In my haste I miscalculated

its length and pitched into the steps under the

trap at a speed that sent me sprawling. In a moment

more I had jammed the trap into place and was running

Advertisement..

up the cellar steps, breathless, with my cap

smashed down over my eyes.

I heard Bates at the rear of the house and knew I had

won the race by a scratch. There was but a moment in

which to throw my coat and cap under the divan, slap

the dust from my clothes and seat myself at the great

table, where the candles blazed tranquilly.

Bates' step was as steady as ever-there was not the

slightest hint of excitement in it-as he came and stood

within the door.

"Beg pardon, Mr. Glenarm, did you wish anything,

sir?"

"Oh, no, thank you, Bates."

"I had stepped down to the village, sir, to speak to

the grocer. The eggs he sent this morning were not

quite up to the mark. I have warned him not to send

any of the storage article to this house."

"That's right, Bates." I folded my arms to hide my

hands, which were black from contact with the passage,

and faced my man servant. My respect for his rascally

powers had increased immensely since he gave me my

coffee. A contest with so clever a rogue was worth

while.

"I'm grateful for your good care of me, Bates. I had

expected to perish of discomfort out here, but you are

treating me like a lord."

"Thank you, Mr. Glenarm. I do what I can, sir."

He brought fresh candles for the table candelabra,

going about with his accustomed noiseless step. I felt

a cold chill creep down my spine as he passed behind

me on these errands. His transition from the rôle of

conspirator to that of my flawless servant was almost

too abrupt.

I dismissed him as quickly as possible, and listened

to his step through the halls as he went about locking

the doors. This was a regular incident, but I was aware

to-night that he exercised what seemed to me a particular

care in settling the bolts. The locking-up process

had rather bored me before; to-night the snapping of

bolts was particularly trying.

When I heard Bates climbing to his own quarters I

quietly went the rounds on my own account and found

everything as tight as a drum.

In the cellar I took occasion to roll some barrels of

cement into the end of the corridor, to cover and block

the trap door. Bates had no manner of business in that

part of the house, as the heating apparatus was under

the kitchen and accessible by an independent stairway.

I had no immediate use for the hidden passage to the

chapel-and I did not intend that my enemies should

avail themselves of it. Morgan, at least, knew of it and,

while he was not likely to trouble me at once, I had resolved

to guard every point in our pleasant game.




Most Popular