Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/237

WE FIND THE PASSAGE on this ﬂoor. We have got to ﬁnd it for two reasons—to keep the Rebs out, and to solve the mystery of these murders. You and I both saw that mantel move until it revealed an opening. It was done by human hands, and the face which glared out at us was a human face. It was devilish enough, I admit. but with ﬂesh and blood behind it. Now shake yourself together and stand by, for I am going to ﬁnd a way in, and you are going along with me."

He did not appear a very promising subject, and I half expected to see him break for the stairs. Under other circumstances I would have laughed at the expression of his face, but then I was not myself wholly free from the spell of those eyes which had glared forth at us from the wall, and I could appreciate the lad's honest terror. Action alone would supply the remedy, and I must drive him to it remorselessly, commanding and domineering. until his natural courage responded.

"Come on, lad," I insisted. "Place the lamp on the chair, so you can keep the gun in your hands while I feel over every inch of this contrivance. There is a spring-lock here somewhere."

There was no doubt he would keep a thorough watch, his eyes roving backward to the dark end of the hall, the rays of light revealing each nook and corner of the mysterious ﬁreplace. I heard him cock the carbine, the sharp click plainly audible in the silence. and was pleased to note the thin line of his compressed lips.

"Av yer sure it was human, sor." he said, wiping the perspiration from his forehead with one hand, "then [ 223 ]