Mechanic Arts High School - Artisan Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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THE ART I SAN 15 'COW mv hat! was med Blinkv the house has risen out of 7 -1 25 L 7 the ground and now we're on the roof ! AT Tm: Srnoiiu or MIIJNIGHT LINKYS startled expression was the true one. The square house, with its fiat, grass-covered roof, l1ad been raised out of the ground by some ponderous and power- ' ful machinery concealed inside. Just as easily it could be lowered again until its roof was level with the rest of the ground. This is a mechanical marvclll' exclaimed Ted ungrudgingly. The whole house is made of steel plates painted to resemble stone, and the power which moves it must be tremendous. But what for? asked Blinky. Who wants a house that goes up and down like the mercury in a thermometer? That,s what I should like to find out, said Ted, Who was peering out over the edge of the roof. Jones, there's a Window just below here, and it should be easy to enter it. Pm going to try re Ted led the way, and he had no difficulty in lowering him- self over the edge of the roof onto the sill. This done, he broke the window, released the lock and opened the steel-framed sash. He crawled inside and leaning from the open window, helped Iilinky to enter. We'll go downstairs and try to find the owner of this place, said Ted. -Ulf his name is Lane, we'll be able to warn him that those Eastern men are out to kill him-if they haven't already done so. Together the pair proceeded to cross the room, and as they came within a few feet of the door, several snaky coils of wire, heavily charged with electricity, fell upon them! For the next few hours, Trooper Ted Weston and Convict No. 1167 were un- conscious. When Weston came to his senses, he observed that he was in a chamber which looked like an ele.ctric control room, and standing near him were a girl and a gray-haired, elderly man. Uncle, hets awake,', said the girl. Trooper, accept my apologies, said the elderly man com-

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14 THE ARTIS-AN They approached the great. iron-studded gates which bore the name of the place, and it was with some surprise that they found them slightly ajar. That's luck! whispered Blinky. Unless those Brownies have got here ahead of us! he added as an afterthought. They pushed open the gates and found themselves looking upon a stretch of grassland, surrounded by four tall Walls. It was as bare and open as a football field, and the sight brought a choking gasp of amazement to the throat of Blinky Jones. Lookit! he choked. The house ain't here. It's gone-it's vanished ! Trooper Ted VVeston turned suspiciously on his companion. You've been trying to fool me, he snapped. I ainlt-l swear I ain't! retorted Blinky hotly. There's the name on the gate, and just behind me is the tree I climbed up. lf you'll go up the tree you'll find a bit of my pants what was caught on a broken branch. The house was here then, I swear it was!', he went on vehemently. t'How it's vanished I don't knowg but it has gone, and that's a fact P' But houses can't vanish, insisted Ted. Ulf this one had been here when you looked over the wall, it would be here now ! No, it wouldn't. ,cause it ainitj' protested Blinky. I'm afraid that your yarn about stone houses and Hindu and Burmese won't go, Jones, said Ted. Still, while we're here, we may as well take a look aroundii 'flu what part of the grounds do you think that you BHW the house, Jones? asked Ted suddenly. Right bang in the center I declared Blinky emphatically. Ted Weston strode forward through the dim light, and Blinky went with him. Right in the center of the field Ted stopped. There's a large, square patch of turf in the center of this iield which is different from the other grass, he remarked. It looks as though it has been just freshly laid. I wonder-- He ceased speaking suddenly as his ears detected a sound. Instantly he dropped to the ground and pressed his ear to the grass. He could hear a strange, murinuring hum! And then like some enormous elevator, the ground beneath him rose so swiftly that by the time he had scrambled to his feet, he and Blinky were standing upon a large, grass-covered platform which was now some forty feet in the air.

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lii THE ARTISAN ing towards him. My electric alarms Zllld traps are set to catch thieves and murderers, and not to catch policemen. You and your convict friend have receive.d a large voltage, for you have been unconscous more than sixteen hourslw Sixteen hours! gasped Ted, rising to his feet and catching a glimpse of Blinky, who lay upon a nearby couch. I must re- port to my station at once. Ii He paused as he reniembered all the circumstances which led to his arrival at this vanishing house on the marsh. Is your name Lane? he. blurted out suddenly. John Lane, acknowledged the man. This is my adopted niece, Helen Campbell. Then I have to warn you that five men, believed to be Hindus or Burmese, have planned to visit you and-er-do you some serious injuryfi Lane nodded his head and the girl trembled. 'Sl know that, Trooper, and that is why I am living here in this strange house,', he said. lt is my protection from those who have threatened to kill me. I designed the house and had it constructed under 1ny orders. So that it can disappear into tl1e ground when danger threatens? suggested Ted. So it may disappear every night between midnight and dawn, was the answer. And at no other time? t'There is no need,'t said Lane. Listen, Trooper! You have been good enough to interest yourself in my behalf, and l think that you are entitled to hear the whole of a very strange story. S-hall I go on? Please do, answered Ted eagerly. 'tFifteen years ago. out in the wildest part of Burmah, this young lady, who is the daughter of my oldest and best friend, was kidnapped by a small party of fanaticsj' began Lane. It was their intention to cast her into some sacred pool as a sacri- lice to their heathen god. Helen Campbell shivered, and he.r.face grew pale as Lane's words reminded her of the frightening past. My friend and I went in search of her, and we wrested her away from these fanatics, went on Lane, modestly omitting the details of what had obviously been a perilous expedition. Un-