The top was covered with fine
white plaster, as was the floor. But there were no large pieces
of mortar lying around--no bits of lathing. When I mentioned
this to Liddy she merely raised her eyebrows. Being quite
confident that the gap was of unholy origin, she did not concern
herself with such trifles as a bit of mortar and lath. No doubt
they were even then heaped neatly on a gravestone in the Casanova
churchyard!
I brought Mr. Jamieson up to see the hole in the wall, directly
after breakfast. His expression was very odd when he looked at
it, and the first thing he did was to try to discover what
object, if any, such a hole could have. He got a piece of
candle, and by enlarging the aperture a little was able to
examine what lay beyond. The result was nil. The trunk-room,
although heated by steam heat, like the rest of the house,
boasted of a fireplace and mantel as well. The opening had been
made between the flue and the outer wall of the house. There was
revealed, however, on inspection, only the brick of the chimney
on one side and the outer wall of the house on the other; in
depth the space extended only to the flooring. The breach had
been made about four feet from the floor, and inside were all the
missing bits of plaster. It had been a methodical ghost.
It was very much of a disappointment. I had expected a secret
room, at the very least, and I think even Mr. Jamieson had
fancied he might at last have a clue to the mystery.
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