He paced the library up and down, and cast his eyes first to one old dusty book-shelf and then to another, but he did not care to remain in the place; it was so cold and comfortless.
“I always thought that this old library was haunted,” thought Ned, “and I never liked it.”
He was about to leave when his foot struck against something in the floor.
To his amazement one of the boards of the flooring sprung up.
He had trod upon a secret spring!
To his still greater astonishment he discovered a small old oak chest.
It was bound with clasps and bolts of brass.
It had six padlocks on it.
“This is some hidden treasure,” thought Ned.
He pulled out the small chest, and, after locking himself in, began to prize open the chest.