you
until they come down. Would you like a real, genuine--bloodcurdling
adventure?"

Norah gave a shriek of delight. "Rather, just! I should think I would.
What is it?"

"You can pin up your dress, and put on a big old coat?"

"Yes--yes!"

"And you won't mind if you do get grimy?"

"Not a bit I'm used to--I mean, I can soon wash myself clean again."

"Come along then! Follow me, and tread lightly. I don't want anyone to
see where we are going." And Rex led the way down the cellar stairs,
while Norah followed, afire with curiosity.

CHAPTER TEN.

A DANGEROUS ADVENTURE.

The Manor house dated back for nearly two hundred years, and the
underground premises were of an extent unknown in modern houses. Rex
led the way through various flagged divisions, and leaving behind
washing, wine, and coal cellars, came at last to a large door, locked
and bolted. Here he stopped, and drawing a bunch of keys from his
pocket, fitted one into the lock, and pushed and dragged at the door
until it opened before him. "Now then," he said, turning to Norah, "we
will prepare for business! I've got a lantern here and two old coats;
button yourself up in this, and you will come to no harm. I found these
old keys in a drawer to-day, and it struck me that one of them might fit
this door, so I came down to experiment before coming back for you.
There is a tradition that there is a subterranean passage leading from
this house to the lake, and I believe I have discovered the entrance.
I'll show you what I mean. Be careful how you tread, for the floor is
strewed with rubbish."

He took Norah by the arm as he spoke, and led her forward for two or
three steps. At first the darkness appeared impenetrable, but presently
her eyes became accustomed to the imperfect light, and she saw that she
was standing in a long apartment, filled with all manner of odd,
injured, and useless articles. Scraps of broken furniture, balks of
timber, and strangely-shaped pieces of iron lay on every side. It was
evidently a lumber-room of past generations which had been deserted by
later tenants, for the grated windows were thick with dust, and the
cobwebs hung in wreaths on the walls. Rex lighted the lantern, closed
the door as quietly as might be, and dodged in and out the piles of
rubbish to the far end of the cellar. "Come here! What do you think of
this?" he cried triumphantly; and Norah groped her way forward, to find
him standing before