The House Has Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page B

thought he knew what was happening at the Everhart mansion, but he didn’t know why. And though the Elberts acted suspiciously, were they really in league with the “ghosts”?
    All the way back to town Debbie Jean pestered Sean with questions about the ghosts that were bothering Charles.
    Finally, as they reached the downtown area of Redoaks, Sean stopped his bike and said to Debbie Jean, “This is where you turn off to go home.”
    “So do you.”
    “Not today. We have to … uh …”
    “Visit the office of the planning commission,” Brian said. He looked at his watch. “We’ve got just enough time before they close.”
    Grumbling, Debbie Jean left. Brian, Sean, and Sam parked their bikes in a rack down the street and entered the city hall.
    Sean asked, “What are we trying to find out?”
    “I’m hoping to see a set of blueprints,” Brian answered. “They’ll show us the location of the secret passages in the mansion.”
    The woman behind the desk in the planning commission office listened to Brian’s request and shook her head. “I can tell you without checking our files,” she answered. “The Everhart mansion was built in the early twenties, too long ago to have filed building plans. We have nothing about the mansion on record.”
    She smiled and added, “There is someone who might have some information about the mansion, however. Why don’t you ask Mrs. Helen Hemsley, the president of the Redoaks Historical Society?”
    “Good idea,” Brian said. “Thanks.” He grinned as he thought of Mrs. Hemsley. She was about as friendly as a tyrannosaur with a toothache, but she did know all about the historical places in Redoaks.
    It was a short ride to the office of the Redoaks Historical Society. Through the glass door Brian could see Mrs. Hemsley pick up her handbag and keys, preparing to leave.
    The moment Mrs. Hemsley saw Brian, Sean, and Sam, she hurried toward the door. But they were faster than she was.
    Brian threw the door open and said, “Mrs. Hemsley, we need your help.”
    “Not now,” she said. “The office closes at five.”
    “It’s only one minute to five. And we have just one, quick question.”
    “I don’t have time to answer. Come back tomorrow.”
    Brian shrugged. “I thought you’d have the answer because you know so much about the historical places in Redoaks. But this question is a tough one. I’ll try the museum instead.”
    Mrs. Hemsley looked at Brian suspiciously. “I can answer any question about Redoaks. What is it you want to know?”
    “It’s about the Everhart mansion. It was built before there were laws about filing building plans, so nobody’s seen blueprints. We heard there were secret passages in the house. Do you know if there are?”
    “Of course I know,” Mrs. Hemsley said. She puffed up, looking important. “I heard all about the secret passages in the house from my mother. She was as interested in historical architecture as I am.
    “The house was built during the time when the sale of liquor in the United States was illegal. Mr. Everhart built the house in a secluded spot with access from the bay, so liquor could be brought in by boat.”
    “By boat,” Brian repeated. He thought about the dinghy on the beach.
    “And he had a hidden room built inside the house for the purpose of storing liquor, and secret passages so his supplier could escape if there was a raid.”
    “Was there ever a raid?” Brian asked.
    “No,” she said, “and I doubt if there’s anyone still alive who’d remember where the secret passages and secret room are located.”
    Sean caught Sam’s eye and knew Sam was just as excited as he was. “Did your mother tell you how Mr. Everhart got in and out of the secret passages?” Sean asked.
    “That was Mr. Everhart’s secret,” she said. “At times, people have lived in the mansion, but they either haven’t known about the passages or haven’t been able to find them.”
    “Thanks, Mrs. Hemsley,” Brian said.