|2|-| | |
-| 3| | |
4| | | |
-| | | |
| |- | |
| A |5 | |
| |- | |
+--------+ +--------+

+--------+ +--------+
| | | |

[Illustration: A--Oak parlor. B--Bedroom. C--Kitchen, etc. D--Passage I
have had made.

1--Secret chamber. 2--Fire-place. 3--Secret spring. 4--Garden window.
5--Door to oak parlor. 6--Clock on stairs to second story. Entrance to
room B under stairway.]

Here you see that the secret chamber lies between the rooms A and B. A
is the parlor and B is the small room in which I had put up my bed after
the nocturnal adventure of October 10. It has always been used as a
store room until now, and as no one handles the keys of this house but
myself, the fact of my using it for any other purpose is known only to
Margery and a certain quiet and reticent workman from Cruger's shop, to
whom I have intrusted the task of opening a passage at D through the
wall. For I must have proper means of communication with this room
before I can allow Madame Letellier and her daughter to take up their
abode in it. Though the former's plans are a mystery to me; though I
feel that she loves her daughter, and, therefore, cannot meditate evil
against her, still my doubts of her are so great that I must know her
intentions, if possible, and to do this I contemplate keeping a watch
over that den of wicked memories which will be at once both unsuspected
and vigilant.

The flooring of the parlor is nearly completed, and to-night will see
the door of communication between my room and the secret chamber hung
and ready for use.

* * * * *

OCTOBER 22.

A month ago, if any one had told me that I would not only walk of my own
free will into the secret chamber, but take up my abode in it, eat in it
and sleep in it, I would have said that person was mad. And yet this is
just what I have done.

The result of my first vigil was unexpected. I had looked for--well, I
hardly know what I did look for. My anticipations were vague, but they
did not lead me in the right direction. But let me tell the story. After
I had installed my guests in their new apartment, I informed them that
I would have to say good-by for a season, as I had an affection of the
eyes--which was