so as to make steps up to a hole cut through the floor
above.

With a sharp movement I wheeled upon her.

"Do you see that?" I asked, pointing back over my shoulder.

"Steps," she cried, "going up into that part of the building
where--where--"

"Will you attempt them with me? Or will you stay here, in the darkness?"

"I--will--stay--here."

It was said with shortened breath; but she seemed less frightened than
when we started to cross the cellar. At all events a fine look of daring
had displaced the tremulous aspect which had so changed the character of
her countenance a few minutes before.

"I will make short work of it," I assured her as I hastily ran up the
steps. "Drop your face into your hands and you will not be conscious of
the darkness. Besides, I will talk to you all the time. There! I have
worked my way up through the hole. I have placed my lantern on the floor
above and I see--What! are you coming?"

"Yes, I am coming."

Indeed, she was close beside me, maintaining her footing on the toppling
boxes by a grip on my disengaged arm.

"Can you see?" I asked. "Wait! let me pull you up; we might as well
stand on the floor as on these boxes."

Climbing into the room above, I offered her my hand, and in another
moment we stood together in the noisome precincts of that abominable
spot, with whose doleful story she had just made me acquainted.

A square of impenetrable gloom confronted me at the first glance--what
might not be the result of a second?

I turned to consult the appearance of the lady beside me before I took
this second look. Had she the strength to stand the ordeal? Was she as
much moved--or possibly more moved than myself? As a woman, and the
intimate friend of the Ocumpaughs, she should be. But I could not
perceive that she was. For some reason, once in view of this mysterious
place, she was strangely, inexplicably, impassibly calm.

"You can bear it?" I queried.

"I must--only end it quickly."

"I will," I replied, and I held out my lantern.

I am not a superstitious man, but instinctively I looked up before I
looked about me. I have no doubt that Mrs. Carew did the same. But no
stains were to be seen on those blackened boards now; or rather, they
were dark with one continuous stain; and next moment I was examining
with eager scrutiny the place itself.

Accustomed to the appearance of the cheerful and well-furnished room on
the other side of the partition, it was a shock to me (I