YOUNG GIRL'S SKELETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 10

YOUNG GIRL'S SKELETON.

IN A SECRET PASSAGE. AFTER SEVERAL CENTURIES. Behind tho Tudor panelling of a secret staircase in the ancient Red Lion Inn at Much Hadhani, near Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, human bones have been found. Doctors who examined the remains believo them to be those of a girl of about 17, who probably died 400 or 500 years ago. The fact that the body had been so carefully concealed suggests that sho was the victim of foul play. The discovery was made during continued investigations by the present proprietor, who last year found the secret staircase above the fireplace in tho diningroom. It was thought that this staircase led to a secret room, but it has been found to be an entrance to a curious winding passage-way which stretches across the top of the old housT for a distance of 20& ft. or 300 ft. to the stables, where there is an oxit. The proprietor of the Red Lion states that the discoveries made had enabled him to trace the house back to the 14th century. The passage-way in the roof of the house, ho thought, was probably used as a. place of hiding, and also a means of escape by people in olden times. In addition to the two entrances from the dining-room fireplace and the stables, there is another just over- the ballroom. This conjures up visions of the dramatic interruption of a mediaeval dance by tho pursuers of a wanted man, the alarm of the gaily-clad dancers, and the man's escape through the secret overhead passage. The proprietor of the hotel is now hunting for another secret passage which he believes may exist under the cellars.