Part 7 (1/2)

”That's just what I should like to do,” exclaimed Fred eagerly.

The knowledge that he was not to make the investigation entirely alone doubtless strengthened the courage of the boy. All his friends were aware that he was not cowardly and yet somehow his strange experience of the preceding evening in the old Meeker House had deeply affected him.

Convinced as he was that there was an explanation to be found for every mysterious happening, nevertheless he was somewhat nervous at the thought of being alone in the neglected building.

”I have spent some time in here,” said the tramp, ”as I told you. It is a queer old house. For example, right here in this room,” he added as he led the way into the front room, ”there is a concealed closet. I don't think any one would ever find it unless he was told of it.”

As he spoke the strange man turned a b.u.t.ton, which was apparently a part of the molding of the stairway.

In response to his quick and energetic pull a door was opened and as Fred peered within he saw there was a small room perhaps six or seven feet square. It was directly under the stairway and when he looked into the adjoining room he saw that it extended within that room also.

”What was that for?” he said as he turned to his companion.

”I don't know,” replied the tramp. ”I suspect, though, that that is where they used to put the boys when they were naughty.”

The tone of the man's voice, the language which he used; indeed the very bearing of the stranger, increased Fred's curiosity concerning him. Was this man no more than he appeared to be? Was he really a tramp, as he said he was? His clothing was old and worn, the care of his person had been neglected and at first glance any observer might think that he was an ordinary vagabond. Perhaps he was, Fred thought, and yet somehow he was convinced that there were other things to be explained in connection with the stranger.

”Come up stairs,” said the tramp, leading the way up the stairway.

Fred followed obediently and soon found himself in the hallway from which opened several rooms. Some of these were large, though all were low. For a moment, as he stopped to look about him, it seemed to Fred that he almost saw the sights that the house had witnessed one hundred years before this time. What stories of life and death, of suffering and joy these old rooms might have told had they been endowed with the power of speech.

Somehow, although Fred was unable to account for his feeling, it seemed that unseen witnesses were about him and that the presence of himself and the tramp in these rooms was very like an intrusion. He did not speak concerning his feelings, however, and after a hasty inspection the two returned to the room below.

”What's that?” demanded Fred suddenly as from the chimney there came sounds like those which he had heard the preceding evening.

”I cannot see,” replied the tramp, his eyes twinkling as he spoke.

”I cannot see, either,” said Fred, ”but I can hear. Don't you know what that noise is?” As he spoke the strange sound was repeated. It was a broken note, sharp and yet long-drawn out. It was clearly heard, too, and yet Fred was convinced now that it was no ghostly voice from which the chatter came. But what was it? His companion did not explain to him and he himself had no conception of the source of the strange sound.

They proceeded through the various rooms on the first floor, but nothing was discovered that in any way explained the mysterious events which Fred had come to investigate.

Conversation had almost ceased, the tramp seldom speaking except to call to Fred to follow him, and Fred only occasionally asking such questions as occurred to him.

”The cellar is the strangest part of all,” said the tramp. ”You don't want to leave until you have seen that part of the old house.”

”All right,” declared Fred lightly. ”I came over to see what I could find, and if there's anything in the cellar worth finding I want to see it.”

The stairs to the cellar were low and broad, but the wood in places had decayed and fallen away. As a consequence when the tramp descended upon the third step the rotten timbers in part gave way and he was compelled to leap to the ground below him. Fred too jumped, but the mishap did not cause any inconvenience, though neither of them spoke when both arose.

The light was dim, entering the place from two open windows which were just above the ground. In silence the investigators moved about the place until at last Fred said, ”It seems to me like a dungeon down here.

I don't know what they could have kept here.”

”Probably they used to come down here with a candle. I have an idea that if you boys thought you saw and heard strange things here last night you were not unlike the boys of one hundred years ago who came down here after apples and potatoes.”

”That's right,” laughed Fred, although his laughter was not hearty. ”No man could crawl through either of those two windows. There isn't much more than room enough to put your arm through either of them.”

”Wait a minute,” said the tramp abruptly. ”I'll be back here with a light. I want to show you something.”

”What is it?” demanded Fred.