CHAPTER XVI. 
A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 
T cannot be denied that we deserted our gallant 
officer in a most uncomfortable situation — 
"under fire," we might almost say. 
Had Lieutenant Button been obliged to spend many 
moments in the old cellar-way under Fort Selkirk, with 
his sunny-tempered but headstrong little niece, it is quite 
certain that neither of the two would ever have lived to 
read this account of their subterranean explorations. 
As Richard started toward the door, he thrust his foot, 
in the darkness, against the table. There was a crash as 
the old piece of furniture went over, followed by a rat- 
tling sound, like an armful of dry sticks falling on the 
hard floor. Under other circumstances, the thought of 
what produced this singular noise would have unnerved 
him ; but the man's mind was now wholly bent on rescu- 
ing the girl, whose continued silence filled him with a 
new fear. 
He groped his way toward the exit, calling again : — 
" Flossie ! Flossie ! my dear child ! Where are you ? " 
No sound. Only the consciousness of that hideous heap 
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