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Page 42
"Where?"
"Behind a brick I loosened in the cellar wall. I can describe the
very place. Oh, you think I am asking too much of you--a stranger
and a lady."
"No, I'm willing to do what I can for you. But I think you ought
to tell me what's in the box, so that I shall know exactly what I
am doing."
"I can't tell; I do not dare to tell till I have it again in my own
hand. Then we will look it over together. Do you hesitate? You
needn't; no inconvenience will follow to any one, if you are
careful to rely on yourself and not let any other person see or
handle this box."
"How large is it?" I asked, quite as breathless as herself, as I
realized the possibilities underlying this remarkable request.
"It is so small that you can conceal it under an apron or in the
pocket of your coat. In exchange for it, I will give you all I can
afford--ten dollars."
"No more than that?" I asked, testing her.
"No more at first. Afterward--if it brings me what it ought to, I
will give you whatever you think it is worth. Does that satisfy
you? Are you willing to risk an encounter with the ghost, for just
ten dollars and a promise?"
The smile with which she said this was indescribable. I think it
gave me a more thrilling consciousness of human terror in face of
the supernatural than anything which I had yet heard in this
connection. Surely her motive for remaining in the haunted house
had been extraordinarily strong.
"You are afraid," she declared. "You will shrink, when the time
comes, from going into that cellar at night."
I shook my head; I had already regained both my will-power and the
resolution to carry out this adventure to the end.
"I will go," said I.
"And get me my box?"
"Yes!"
"And bring it to me here as early the next day as you can leave
Mrs. Packard?"
"Yes."
"Oh, you don't know what this means to me."
I had a suspicion, but held my peace and let her rhapsodize.
"No one in all my life has ever shown me so much kindness! Are you
sure you won't be tempted to tell any one what you mean to do?"
"Quite sure."
"And will go down into the cellar and get this box for me, all by
yourself?"
"Yes, if you demand it."
"I do; you will see why some day."
"Very well, you can trust me. Now tell me where I am to find the
brick you designate."
"It's in the cellar wall, about half-way down on the right-hand
side. You will see nothing but stone for a foot or two above the
floor, but after that comes the brick wall. On one of these
bricks you will detect a cross scratched. That's the one. It will
look as well cemented as the rest, but if you throw water against
it, you will find that in a little while you will be able to pry it
out. Take something to do this with, a knife or a pair of
scissors. When the brick falls out, feel behind with your hand and
you will find the box."
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