"I don't know so much about that," replied Teddy, "see, there's a half-burnt candle on the mantelpiece."
"He always had a candle," said Dentham, referring to his master. "Why, I don't know, as there was lots of gas-light."
"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.