than the rest. Turning aside my spoils, I saw what through
the dusk appeared very like the hinge of a concealed door. My curiosity
was roused, and I made a hasty pull, which at once drew down a mighty
fragment from the wall, consisting of plaster, paper, and rotten canvas;
and some minutes elapsed ere the subsiding cloud of dust enabled me to
discern the _terra incognita_ I had just uncovered. Sure enough there
was a door, and as surely did the spirit of enterprise prompt me to open
it. With difficulty I accomplished my purpose; it yielded at length to
my efforts; but the noise of the half-corroded hinges, grating and
shrieking on their rusty pivots, may be conceived as sufficiently dismal
and appalling. I know not if once at least I did not draw back, or let
go my hold incontinently, as the din "grew long and loud." I own,
without hesitation, that I turned away my head from the opening, as it
became wider and wider at every pull; and it required a considerable
effort before I could summon the requisite courage to look into the gap.
My head seemed as difficult to move as the door. I cannot say that I was
absolutely afraid of ghosts, but I _was_ afraid of a peep from behind
the door--afraid of being frightened! At length, with desperate
boldness, I thrust my head plump into the chasm!

But I was more startled at the noise I had thus produced than by
anything that was visible. As far as the darkness would permit, I
explored the interior, which, after all, was neither more nor less than
a small closet. From what cause it had been shut out from the apartment
to which it had belonged, it were vain to conjecture. All that was
really cognisable to the senses presented itself in the shape of a
shallow recess, some four feet by two, utterly unfurnished, save with
some inches of accumulated dust and rubbish, that made it a work of
great peril to grope out the fact of its otherwise absolute emptiness.
This discovery like many other notable enterprises seemed to lead to
nothing. I stepped out of my den, reeking with spoils which I would much
rather have left undisturbed in their dark recesses.

Preparing for my departure, and a visit to my relation in the nearly
adjoining town, who as yet had no other intimation of my arrival than a
hasty note, to apprise him that I had once more set foot on English
ground, and intended to visit him before my return, I stepped again to
the window. Darkness was fast gathering about me; a heavy scud