distance below where my knees rested. There I perceived that it
ended in a sharp angle; for I had already noticed that this little
chamber was not of a _square_ shape, as we say, but of the form of a
triangle, with its apex pointing downwards. This was caused by the
peculiar construction of the piano-case, which resembled a great
parallelopipedon, with one corner sawed off. It was standing upon its
larger end, and it was where this corner should have been that the place
remained empty.

In all likelihood the triangular shape of this space rendered it
inconvenient for any package which there was among the merchandise, and
hence was it unoccupied.

So much the better for me, thought I, as I stretched forth my arms, and
leant my body over into it, with the design of giving it a more thorough
exploration.

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.

A MILLINER'S BOX.

I was not long about this business. I soon perceived that the back of
the empty space was closed in by a large box, and a similar one blocked
up the right side. The left was the diagonal edge of the case itself,
about twenty inches or two feet in width.

But I troubled myself very little either about back, left, or right. It
was the ceiling of the little chamber that had the greatest interest for
me; for it was in that direction I intended, _if possible_, to continue
my tunnel.

I knew that I was now far enough in the horizontal direction; for the
chief advantage I had gained by the discovery of the empty space was,
that it carried me the thickness of the piano-case--about two feet, as I
have said--in this course, besides the distance that was open, upwards.
Neither forward, then, nor to the right or left, did I wish to go,
unless forced to do so by an obstacle. Upward was the echo of my
thoughts. _Excelsior_! _excelsior_! Two or three stages more--perhaps
less, if no obstacle intervened--and I might be free. My heart beat
joyfully as the prospect passed before my mind.

It was not without a keen anxiety that I raised my hand to the ceiling
of the empty chamber. My fingers trembled as they touched what I well
knew to be canvas, and involuntarily they recoiled from it. O, mercy!--
once more that hated fabric--a bale of linen!

I was not so sure of this however. I remembered the mistake I had
already made in this regard. I must examine farther.

I closed my fist, and gave the bottom of the package a smart rap with my
knuckles. Ha! it was a pleasant soun