"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 button, 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.
"Why, there's a well here in one corner. I don't know whether it was
made in case the Meekers were attacked by the Indians and they wanted to
be sure of having what water they needed, or whether the house was built
over the old well, which they perhaps filled in and since then it has
fallen away."
"Never mind," called Fred. "I'll go upstairs with you. I don't care
anything about the old well."
"But I want to show it to you," declared the tramp. "You wait here and
I'll be back in a minute."
Hastily the strange man retraced his way to the room above, but no
sooner had he gained the place he was seeking than the massive door was
dropped into place and left Fred in almost complete darkness.
The first feeling of the boy was that some accident had befallen his
recent companion. He listened intently, but he did not hear any sound
that indicated any trouble in the room above.
Following this feeling of fear came the sensation of intense loneliness.
Although the room was only dimly lighted, by this time Fred's eyes had
become somewhat accustomed to the semi-darkness and he was able to see
all about him. A pile of boards in one corner of the cellar were the
only objects he distinguished.
At first Fred had no feeling of fear. He expected the door to be opened
at once and he waited confidently for a hail from the man who had just
left him. However, when several minutes elapsed and he heard no call nor
was any attempt made to open the door, a feeling of alarm swept over
him. Again he glanced hastily about the cellar and keenly watched the
light of the setting sun as its beams were cast through the little
windows.
Convinced that night was near at hand and somewhat alarmed now at his
predicament, Fred rushed to the heavy door and did his utmost to lift
it. Whether or not the door was fastened he did not know, but his
efforts were unavailing. The massive door was unmoved and when a few
minutes had elapsed Fred was convinced that he was helpless to lift it.
Astonished by what he had already learned, he remained standing at the
foot of the stairway and in his loudest tones called to the man who had
recently left him. "Open the door! Open the door!" he shouted. "I can't
get out. The door is fast."
His tones increased in loudness as he discovered that no attention was
paid his hail.
Repeatedly the anxious lad pounded upon the cellar-door and repeated his
calls. The silence that rested over the old house was unbroken.
Apparently no one was within hailing distance. What had become of the
tramp was not clear, but apparently he had departed from the old Meeker
House.
Almost desperate now, Fred dragged the boards from the corner in which
he had discovered them and piling them up on the floor beneath the
little window that opened upon the road he soon was able to look out
upon the scene. No one was within sight. To call for help now would be
useless, if the tramp really had departed from the house.
He carefully examined the windows to see if it would be possible for him
to lift the sash and thus make an opening that would be large enough to
enable him to crawl through. He was unable, however, to accomplish his
task and soon concluded that his sole reliance now was to wait until
some one passed in the road and call to him for help.
Not many minutes had passed before a farm-wagon, drawn by two horses,
was seen approaching. The farmer who was driving the team was apparently
unaware of any call upon him, for his rattling wagon soon passed on and
in spite of Fred's loudest calls for help he did not stop.
"I don't believe I am making enough noise," Fred sturdily declared to
himself. "The next one that passes I'll make him hear me whether he
wants to or not."
A brief time afterward he discovered a boy driving a cow not far away on
the road. He was approaching the corner on which the old Meeker House
stood and in a brief time would be within hailing distance.
Convinced that his call before had not been heard because he had not
used tones sufficiently loud, Fred increased his efforts. He shouted in
tones that were unnatural, they were so high keyed. He then whistled and
gave his school yell as being likely to be heeded when his own call
might be unheard.
Nor were his efforts in vain. Fred saw the boy when he approached the
corner stop abruptly and give one startled look toward the old house. A
moment later Fred saw a picture which he never was able to forget. The
cow, with tail elevated, was running swiftly from the place, while close
behind her followed the boy, who at frequent intervals stopped and
looked behind him at the old Meeker House. It was evident to Fred what
thoughts were in the mind of the lad, for his frequent glances, as well
as his manner, betrayed his terror. Evidently he had heard stories of
the old place that had not induced him to enter the building when such
strange and unearthly sounds issued from the cellar.
A moment later the horn of an automobile was heard and soon afterward a
car turned the corner. Fred was nearly hopeless by this time, but in
desperation once more he did his utmost to make his voice heard. The
automobile, however, passed on and apparently his calls for aid were
unheard.
Darkness would be settling over the land within a few minutes. Fred
thought of his friends, who doubtless by this time had returned from the
country-club and were puzzled to account for the absence of their
friend.
Convinced that he was the only one except the tramp who knew where he
was at that time, Fred resolutely prepared to endure the wait that must
elapse before relief could be had. As he turned away from the window he
was startled by sounds that came from the room directly above him. The
boy, alarmed now and thoroughly distressed, stopped abruptly and waited
for a repetition of the noise which had aroused him.