Page 42 (1/1)

"There is a peculiar spring in the lock," he explains a moment later; "and, if the door slammed to, we should find it iht remain here prisoners forever unless the household cawood, pray be careful!" cries Dora falteringly "Our very lives depend upon your attention!"

"Miss Villiers, do cowood, planting his back against the open door lest by any means it should shut

The chamber is round, and has, instead of s, three narrow apertures in the walls, through which can be obtained a gli else These apertures are just large enough to admit a man's hand The room is without furniture of any description, and on the boards the dark stains of blood are distinctly visible

"Dynecourt, tell thewood to Sir Adrian "They won't believe it is veritably haunted unless you call up a ghost to frighten them"

But they all protest in a body that they do not wish to hear any ghost stories, so Sir Adrian laughingly refuses to cowood's request

"Are we far froth, who has been exa on the walls

"So far that, if you were immured here, no cry, however loud, could penetrate the distance," replies Sir Adrian "You are as thoroughly removed from the habitable parts of the castle as if you were in the next county"

"How interesting!" observes Dora, with a little simper

"The servants are so afraid of this rooht," Sir Adrian goes on "You can see how the dust of years is on it One ht be slowly starved to death here without one's friends being a bit the wiser"

He laughs as he says this, but, long afterward, his words co their breasts with terror and despair

"I wonder you don't have this dangerous lock reular trap Some day you'll be sorry for it"

Prophetic words!

"Yes; I wish it were ree quick shiver

Sir Adrian laughs

"Why, that is one of the old tower's greatest charests all sorts of horrible possibilities This roo without its mysterious lock"