Within That Room! Read Online Free PDF Page A

worldly, so essentially mortal, and he is frightened.”
    â€œThen why on earth does he stay here? He’s got a mind of his own, hasn’t he?”
    â€œI have persuaded him. I feel—and I have brought him round to my way of thinking—that it is our duty to remain as servants to you, as we were servants to your uncle for ten years.”
    â€œAnd what if I decided to sell the place?”
    For a moment a gleam came into Mrs. Falworth’s dark eyes.
    â€œIn that event we could leave, miss, with no sense of worry on our minds. If you would sell, it would relieve all three of us. I believe in all seriousness that this place is not fit for anybody to live in, especially an attractive young woman like you.”
    â€œWhy, does the ghost like blonde females?” Vera asked dryly.
    â€œI did not mean it in that sense—rather, I meant that you have too many charms to waste them in a place like this. It is too gloomy and cheerless for a modern young lady.”
    Vera said: “I don’t expect to be here all the time. I am seeking a post in London as a commercial artist.”
    â€œForgive me mentioning it, miss, but do you think such a post would provide sufficient remuneration to keep this residence going?”
    â€œOh, it might. I presume the upkeep isn’t terrific, and as I saw from the conveyance Mr. Thwaite had me sign this land is freehold, so there is no ground rent. No electricity to pay for, and paraffin isn’t dear. There is only food to consider and the salaries of you and your husband. Yes, I might be able to keep it going for a while, anyway. In fact, I might even grow to like it. I’ll be quite frank, I don’t believe in this ghost rubbish.”
    â€œI have spoken the truth, miss,” Mrs. Falworth answered coldly.
    â€œAll right—you have your views and I have mine.” Vera got to her feet decisively. “Now, how about a tour round the place? I want to see what I have inherited. And, by the way, what is your salary, and your husband’s?”
    â€œThat matter hardly need concern you, madam. Your uncle, by his will, left both of us amply provided for—”
    â€œOf course! The annuity.”
    â€œSince we must live somewhere, we are prepared to stay here and give service in return for shelter.”
    â€œOh?” Vera raised her brows in surprise. “Well, that’s very sporting of both of you. Make it all the easier for me to run the show.”
    But inwardly she felt that there was something queer, somewhere, though at that moment she could not decide for the life of her what it was.... She spoke little thereafter as Mrs. Falworth, with a spluttering torch in hand, took her on a tour of inspection.

CHAPTER FIVE
    THE LOCKED CELLAR
    They went through the oil-lighted regions. Then they explored the rambling conservatories and broken-down stables which, after a bit of restoration, might hold a car. From here they descended into a dingy abyss of basements. The cold down here was a shock to Vera and she stood looking round on stony emptiness. There were gray walls with rings in them; a ceiling of granite with rusty hooks imbedded in the stone.
    â€œWhat are the rings for?” Vera questioned.
    â€œI believe, miss, that this was once a torture chamber. The prisoners were fastened to those rings in the wall, their arms outspread, and then they were ‘persuaded’ with the help of the old forge there.”
    The woman nodded to a corner where stood an ancient fireplace—similar to the type used by a blacksmith. The back had collapsed inward amidst a mass of bricks and oddly colored red-brown ash. At the back of it was a black square denoting the flue. Projecting from the side was the curved handle that had once worked the bellows.
    â€œYou will observe the branding irons,” the housekeeper said, indicating an array of differently shaped bars in a rack above the fireplace. “Irons for every type of