"Always had a candle," murmured Rudall thoughtfully, "humph--I dare say it was to light the way to the lower regions--what is under the flooring of the next room," he added, turning to Dentham. "Nothing, sir, except earth! the cellar below here was dug out, I think, sir." Teddy gave a cry of delight. "Then depend upon it there is a secret chamber under the next room, and the entrance to it is from this chimney-piece." "Impossible!" said Olive, rising and coming forward. "It's the most reasonable explanation I can offer at all events," said Teddy, "suppose we examine the fireplace." Dentham and Miss Maunders, now very much excited at the chance of a possible discovery, assisted, and Teddy began to make a minute inspection of the fireplace. It consisted of an ordinary steel grate, surrounded by a bordering of encaustic tiles, and the mantelpiece was a heavy oaken one, elaborately carved with fruit and flowers. Although Teddy pushed and shook the grate it remained immovable and there certainly seemed no possibility that such a heavy mass could be moved at all. "Perhaps there's a spring," suggested Olive, and began to feel among the carvings of the mantelpiece with deft fingers. The attempt proved successful, for by chance her fingers came in contact with the spring; there was a click as she pressed it, almost involuntarily, and the three present gave a cry of surprise as the whole of the grate swung round upon a central pivot, disclosing the space beyond. "I knew I was right," cried Teddy in ecstasy, "this leads to some secret chamber, and I would not be surprised if we found Adrian Lancaster a prisoner below." Olive turned pale as he lighted the candle and bending down crept into the black cavity. At first she feared to follow in his steps, but her love for Adrian prevailed and she cautiously entered also. Dentham, who was shaking in every limb with terror at this strange discovery, remained in the room, but when Teddy and his companion disappeared down the narrow steps his curiosity got the better of his fear and he groped his way in the same direction. "Is this the secret chamber?" asked Olive in a disappointed tone, when they found themselves in the square vault. "I don't think so," replied Teddy doubtfully, holding the candle above his head, "or surely Roversmire would have made it more comfortable." "There may be another door," suggested Miss Maunders hopefully, "examine the walls." Teddy did so, and running his hand rapidly down on the smooth surface of the stone, he felt a round button which he pressed with all his strength and immediately the blank wall before them seemed to disappear, showing only a dense black space. "Dentham," cried Teddy on seeing this, "go and get more candles or a lamp." Upon which Dentham sped rapidly up the steps without being required to be told twice. "Adrian," cried Olive peering forward into the darkness, dimly lighted by the glimmer of the candle, "are you there?"