ll, I drew my revolver, and crouched low, prepared for any emergency,
as I pressed the metal button. To my surprise and relief the only
thing to occur was the slow opening of the door inward, a dim gleam of
light becoming visible through the widening crack. The movement was
deliberate and noiseless, but I dropped upon hands and knees in the
deepest remaining shadow and peered anxiously into the dimly revealed
interior. It was a basement room, half the width of the kitchen
overhead, I should judge; the walls of crude masonry, the floor of
brick, the ceiling, festooned by cobwebs, of rough-hewn beams. The
light, flickering and dim, came from a half-burned candle in an iron
holder screwed against the wall, revealing a small table, two chairs,
one without a back, and four narrow sleeping berths made of rough
boards. This was all, except a coat dangling from a beam, and a small
hand-hatchet lying on the floor. There was, in the instant I had to
view these things, no semblance of movement, or suggestion of human
presence. Assured of this, although holding myself alert and ready, I
slipped through the opening. Even as I stood there, uncertain, and
staring about, a sharp draught of air extinguished the candle, and I
heard the snap of the lock as the door behind blew back into position.
About me was the black silence of a grave.

CHAPTER XIX

A CHAMBER OF HORROR

I backed against the wall, crouching low, revolver in hand, scarcely
venturing to breathe, listening intently for the slightest sound to
break the intense silence. My heart beat like a trip-hammer, and there
were beads of cold perspiration on my face. The change had occurred so
swiftly as to leave me quaking like a coward at the unknown terrors of
the dark. Yet almost within the instant I gripped my nerves,
comprehending all that had occurred, and confident of my own safety.
There must be another opening into this underground den--one leading to
the outer air--judging from that sudden and powerful suction. The very
atmosphere I breathed had a freshness to it, inconceivable in such a
place otherwise. With the first return of intelligence my mind gripped
certain facts, and began to reason out the situation. That sudden
sweep of air could only have originated in the opening of some other
barrier--a door no doubt leading directly to the outside. I had seen
no occupant of the room; without question it was deserted at my
entrance. Yet someone had been