The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed Read Online Free PDF

thing just doesn’t happen. It’s probably easier for someone like Carla to think you set it up than to believe—well, to believe whatever just happened here.” He sank into his chair. “Look at me !”
    He lifted his hands, which were trembling violently. “What am I supposed to believe? That there’s a ghost opposed to our deal?”
    â€œI know what I believe,” Norma said. “I believe it’s time we got out of here!”
    â€œDon’t go!” cried Phoebe. “Please, Norma. It’s not the wardrobe. You can take that. Really. It’s fine, as long as you don’t take the bed.”
    Norma’s eyes got even wider, which I wouldn’t have thought was possible. “What do you mean, ‘Don’t take the bed’?”
    Phoebe shook her head. “Just don’t take the bed,” she whispered.
    â€œWell, I wasn’t going to,” Norma said. “You wouldn’t sell it to me, in case you forgot.”
    Chris nudged me in the ribs. “Can you sense a ghost here?” she whispered.
    I shook my head.
    â€œMe neither. Whatever was banging those shutters is gone—at least for now.”
    â€œMaybe it was never here,” I replied.
    Chris looked puzzled.
    â€œMaybe it was outside all along,” I said softly.
    She nodded her agreement.
    â€œâ€¦ better sit down,” Mr. Bassett was saying. “You look awfully pale.”
    Phoebe nodded vaguely. “I guess you’re right,” she said. She sank into her chair, then dropped her head into her hands. “Oh, what am I going to do?”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Mr. Bassett said. “If you really want to—”
    He stopped and looked in our direction. “Norma, I need some time to speak with my client. Would you mind?”
    â€œI don’t mind.” Norma paused, then looked right at Mr. Bassett and added fiercely, “Not so long as you treat her right.”
    Phoebe gave us a thin smile. “Don’t worry, Norma. Stephen takes good care of me. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” She reached out and patted the lawyer’s hand. “Now, you ladies had best go get that wardrobe.”
    Norma nodded, and Chris and I followed her out of the room. “Do you suppose it would be too wicked to stand out here and listen?” she whispered once we had closed the parlor door behind us.
    I had been wondering the same thing myself. After all, if Phoebe was in trouble, we had to know what it was before we could help her. But Norma quickly thought better of that idea. “Fine example I am,” she muttered. “Your father would have my hide if he knew I was teaching you to be an eavesdropper.”
    â€œActually, my father can be very nosy,” I said encouragingly.
    For a second Norma seemed to be wavering. But then she said firmly, “Come on. Pick up those chairs, and let’s go do our job.”
    She made it up three steps before she turned around and said, “What am I doing? Let’s leave!”
    â€œWhat about the wardrobe?” asked Chris. She set the chair down.
    â€œForget the wardrobe!”
    â€œPhoebe really wants us to take it,” I said, setting my chair down as well.
    Norma took a deep breath. She looked from Chris to me, then back again. “All right. You two are the experts. Tell it to me straight. Is it safe up there?”
    â€œAs far as we can tell,” I said.
    â€œSafe enough that we don’t mind going up,” Chris added. “We’ll even go first if you want.”
    Norma shook her head. “I’m the leader of this expedition,” she muttered. Taking another deep breath, she started up the stairs again.
    Even though we had decided not to eavesdrop, Norma’s hesitation had left me in the hall long enough to hear Mr. Bassett say, “Phoebe, if you would just sell that picture, you could keep the house.”
    I picked up the