walk through the house; first calling in at the study, for a glass of brandy to warm me. This, I di

finished the ground floor, the daylight was creeping in, wanly, through the barred windows. My search had shown me nothing fresh. Everything appeared to be in order, and I was on the point of extingu

the cellars are the hugest and weirdest. Great, gloomy caverns of places, unlit by any ray of daylight. Yet, I would not shirk the work. I felt that to do so would smack of sheer cowardice. Besides, as I reassured m

f the cellar stairs; and beyond which, I have seldom proceeded. Indeed, save for the rummage

at the strange, desolate smell that assailed my nostrils. Then, throwing the barrel o

or a faint drip, drip of water, falling, drop by drop, somewhere to my left. As I stood, I not

f great cellars, and of one, greater than the rest, the roof of which was upheld by pillars; beyond that my mind was hazy, and predominated by a sense of cold and darkness and shadow

ely; but I was enabled to notice, as I went along, that the walls appeared to be built with wonderful pre

s under the light of my candle. As I stood, and examined these, thoughtfully, it occurred to me how strange it was, that I should be so little acquainted with my own house. Yet, this m

paced slowly up, until I reached the further end. I walked quietly, and looked ca

e whole of the vast chamber. As I moved along, I noticed that the floor was composed of solid rock, in p

About half way up the cellar, I stubbed my foot against something that gave out a metallic sound. Stooping quickly, I held the candle, and saw that the object I had ki

ticking the candle in the trigger guard, took the ring in both hands, and pulled. The trap

ottomless, sideless well. Then, even as I stared, full of perplexity, I seemed to hear, far down, as though from untold depths, a faint whisper of sound. I bent my head, quickly, more into the opening, and listened, intently. It may have been fancy; but I could have sworn to hearing a soft titter, that grew into a hideous,

on. With a calmer mind, I became again curious to know into what that trap opened; but could not, then, summon sufficient courage, to make a further investigation. One thing I felt,

through the cellars, to the stairs, and so reached the daylight, with an