Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/221

AT THE FIREPLACE "No doubt; it is large enough to contain a hurricane. Lay hold of the screen, and let us see what it looks like inside."

He leaned his carbine against the wall, and grasped what appeared to be the handle of the iron sheet. It failed to yield to his effort, and I laid hold with him, thinking it was probably caught in some manner. We tugged together, but the thing was immovable. Surprised, I bent forward, striving in the dim light to discover the cause, and running my hand along the edge. Instantly I comprehended; the screen was bolted fast. I stepped back, convinced we had at last uncovered the secret, and turned my face toward Miss Denslow. She stood motionless covering us both with O'Brien's levelled carbine. [ 207 ]