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bserved the Southern lad. "The luckiest chap ever, take that from me," declared Lil Artha, and then adding hastily: "but then, he always deserves his luck, because he works for it." Although he did not exactly mean to do so, the one who said that expressed one of the greatest truths known. Deserve good luck, and it will many times knock at your door. Do things worth while, and obtain pleasing results. Of course they hastened into the kitchen. Here they found Elmer bending over and examining the floor. "It's a trapdoor, all right," declared Lil Artha, as he noted the dimensions of the cracks that formed an almost perfect square. "But how to get it up's the question," said Elmer; "for there seems to be no ring in sight. All the same, boys, I reckon this same trap has been used more than a few times lately, from the looks of things." "Whew! do you really mean it, Elmer?" remarked Chatz, deeply interested. "Why, you can see for yourself right here that some sort of tool has been used to pry up the thing," Elmer went on. "Say, I had a glimpse of an old broken kitchen knife lying over there by the sink. Wonder if that would do the trick? Shall I get it?" remarked Lil Artha. "If you will," replied Elmer. The article in question was speedily placed in the hands of the scout master. "Just the very thing to lift this trap with," he declared, as he started to insert the stout remnant of the blade in the crack. "Reckon it's been used to do the trick many a time," advanced Chatz. "I wouldn't wonder," Elmer added. Using the broken blade as a lever he soon pried the trap up far enough to allow the others a chance to insert their ready fingers. After that it was easily completed, and the square of wooden flooring removed. "Dark as Egypt," remarked Lil Artha, as he tried to pierce the gloom with his gaze. Elmer made a move, and Chatz, thinking he intended descending the ladder that led down into the unknown depths, caught his arm. "I wouldn't do it, Elmer," he said. "Do what?" asked the other. "Go down there," continued Chatz. "No telling how deep it may be or what lies there, either. If anybody must go, send me." "Well," laughed Elmer, "I like your nerve, Chatz. You think something might hurt _me_, but you don't care so much for yourself. That's like you Southern fellows, though. But make your mind easy, my boy, because just at present I don't think any of us need drop into this hole." "I
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