Crown and Sceptre | Page 5

the
baluster with both hands, he gave it a twist. There was the sharp sound
as of a catch being set at liberty; the board moved, and was once more
thrust back.
"Now let me try," cried Scarlett, "so as to make sure."
The opening was closed again, the baluster twisted, and it was again
opened, the lads pausing before the dark cavity, across which the
coloured rays played over a bar of dancing motes.
"Seems to me," said Fred, "that we've discovered a secret. Does your
father know of it, do you think?"
"I feel sure he doesn't. I say, let's see if there's anything inside."
"Do you think we ought to?"
"I wouldn't, if I thought my father knew about it; but I don't believe he
does, so I shall try. Of course I shall tell him."

"Yes, of course," said Fred, whose curiosity pricked him on to action,
and who felt relieved by his companion's words. "But do you think it's
a secret drawer?"
"Yes, I'm sure it is, or it wouldn't be made like that."
"But perhaps they are all made this way."
This was a damper; for if the stairs were all made in this fashion, there
could be no secret.
"Let's try," said Scarlett; and together they turned and twisted with all
their might at every baluster from top to bottom, but without result.
"Then it is a secret drawer," said Fred, in a low, husky voice.
"More like a coffin," said Scarlett.
"Ugh!"
"I hope no one's buried here."
"Oh, I say, don't talk like that," cried Fred. "It's too horrible."
"Well, it might be so. Some one been killed years ago, and put there."
"'Tisn't likely," said Fred. "But, if it is a secret place, we oughtn't to let
any of the servants know."
"I didn't think of that," replied Scarlett; and, drawing the oaken board
back, the spring was closed, and the boys went and looked out to see
that Nat Dee was busy over the garden beds; and further investigation
proved that the indoor servants were all in the other part of the house.
"They would go up the back-stairs if they wanted anything," said
Scarlett, as they returned to the place where the coloured light shone;
but it had already somewhat altered its position as Fred seized the
baluster, turned it, and the board lay loose.

"Now, then, what are we going to find?" cried Scarlett, as he thrust
back the board, and then recoiled a little and looked at his companion.
Fred looked at him, and both lads felt that their hearts were beating
fast.
"Not scared, are you, Fred!"
"No, I don't think so."
"Then you may have first try if you like. What do you say?"
"Nothing," replied Fred. "I feel as if I should like to, but all the same I
don't like. Let's try with a stick. There may be something nasty there;
perhaps rats."
"They wouldn't have stopped; but you're right. Go down and fetch a
stick."
"You will not try till I come back?" said Fred, doubtingly.
"No, I shall not try. Make haste."
Fred was not long running down to one corner of the hall, and
obtaining a stout ashen cudgel, which he handed to his companion, who,
after a moment's hesitation, thrust in the staff, and found that the
opening was about half as deep again as the height of the step; but
though he tapped the bottom, which seemed to be firm, and tried from
side to side, there was nothing solid within, nothing but a fine,
impalpable dust, which made its presence known, for both lads began
to sneeze.
"I'm glad there are no bones in it," said Scarlett. "It was only meant to
put something in; made on purpose, I suppose. Just a long box: nothing
more, and--Halloa!"
"What have you found?"
"Nothing, only that it's all open at the back, and I can--yes, so I

can!--reach right back; yes, as far as the stick will go."
"That place wouldn't be made for nothing, Scar," cried Fred. "I know.
That's the way to somewhere."
"Nonsense!"
"I don't care; I know it is, and you see if--"
"Some one coming," whispered Scarlett, stooping down and dragging
the board toward him, when there was a sharp crack, and the stair was
once more firm, just as steps were heard coming along the corridor, and
one of the servant-maids passed along the gallery and entered a room at
the end.
"Wait a bit," whispered Scarlett, as soon as the maid had passed out of
hearing. "We'll get a bit of candle and lock the end door, and then we'll
see what this means; for, as you say, it must have been made for
something. But it can't be a way anywhere, or they