th me.

But once on my way I took courage. I pictured to myself the collection
of useful articles with which the spaces before me were naturally
filled, and thought how harmless were the sources of the grotesque
shadows which bowed to me from every side and even from the cement floor
toward the one spot where the stones of the foundation showed themselves
clear of all encumbering objects. As I saw how numerous these articles
were, and how small a portion of the wall itself was really visible, I
had my first practical fear, and a practical fear soon puts imaginary
ones to flight. What if some huge box or case of bottles should have
been piled up in front of the marked brick I was seeking? I am strong,
but I could not move such an object alone, and this search was a
solitary one; I had been forbidden to seek help.

The anxiety this possibility involved nerved me to instant action. I
leaped forward to the one clear spot singled out for me by chance and
began a hurried scrutiny of the short strip of wall which was all that
was revealed to me on the right-hand side. Did it hold the marked brick?
My little candle shook with eagerness and it was with difficulty I
could see the face of the brick close enough to determine. But fortune
favored, and presently my eye fell on one whose surface showed a ruder,
scratched cross. It was in the lowest row and well within reach of my
hand. If I could move it the box would soon be in my possession--and
what might that box not contain!

Looking about, I found the furnace and soon the gas-jet which made
attendance upon it possible. This lit, I could set my candle down, and
yet see plainly enough to work. I had shears in my pocket. I have had a
man's training in the handling of tools and felt quite confident that I
could pry this brick out if it was as easily loosened as Bess had given
me to understand. My first thrust at the dusty cement inclosing it
encouraged me greatly. It was very friable and so shallow that my
scissors'-point picked it at once. In five minutes' time the brick was
clear, so that I easily lifted it out and set it on the floor. The small
black hole which was left was large enough to admit my hand. I wasted no
time thrusting it in, expecting to feel the box at once and draw it out.
But it was farther back than I expected, and while I was feeling about
something gave way and fell with a slight, rustling noise down out of my
reach. Was it the box? No, for in another instant