his hand amongst the mass of sickly
ivy strands, to find that the opening through which they came was
completely choked up, but after a little feeling about he was able to
announce that there was a narrow slit-like window, with an upright rusty
iron bar.

"Why, it will be glorious, Scar," cried Fred. "Let's clear the place
out, and cut away the ivy, and then we can keep it all a secret."

"Yes, and bring some furniture--chairs and table, and a carpet. Why, we
might have a bed too."

"How are you going to get them here?"

Scarlett gave his dark curls a vicious rub. "I never thought of that."

"Never mind; but we could bring some cushions, and store up fruit, and
make this our cave. You will not tell anybody?"

"I should think not."

"Not even Lil."

"No; she'd go and tell every one directly. Why, Fred, this will be
splendid. What a discovery!"

"When we've cleaned it up it will be a little palace."

"And we can keep our stores in the closet there, and--Think there'll be
any rats?"

"No signs of any. Can't smell 'em."

"They've never found their way here. Dare say there are some bats; but
we'll soon clear them out. Wish there were a fireplace. We could cook
the birds and fish we caught."

"Let's see what's in the cupboard."

Fred crossed the little chamber to the corner where the second door
stood ajar, and it was so similar to the panelling that but for its
being partly opened, it would not have been seen.

This, too, gave forth a dismal hollow groan as it was drawn inward upon
its concealed rusty hinges, and then, as Fred raised the light to see
what was inside, he exclaimed--

"Why, it isn't a cupboard. Here's another flight of steps!"

Scarlett pressed forward and stood beside him, peering beneath the
candle, and looking down the dusty stone stairs into utter darkness
beyond the faint light shed by the candle.

Then he turned to Fred as he grasped his arm and looked inquiringly into
his face.

"I will if you will," said Fred, as if his companion had asked him a
question.

"Come along, then," cried Scarlett, excitedly. "Only let's keep
together."

"Of course. Shall I go first?"

"No, I'll go," said Scarlett, after a momentary hesitation.

He snatched the candle from his friend's hand, and took a step forward
on to the little square landing.

"Mind the door doesn't blow to. Push it wide open."

Fred did as he was told, the rusty hinges giving forth another dismal
groan, w