As he spoke the strange man turned a button, which was apparently a part of the molding of the stairway.
In response to his quick and energetic pull a door was opened and as Fred peered within he saw there was a small room perhaps six or seven feet square. It was directly under the stairway and when he looked into the adjoining room he saw that it extended within that room also.
“What was that for?” he said as he turned to his companion.
“I don’t know,” replied the tramp. “I suspect, though, that that is where they used to put the boys when they were naughty.”
The tone of the man’s voice, the language which he used; indeed the very bearing of the stranger, increased Fred’s curiosity concerning him. Was this man no more than he appeared to be? Was he really a tramp, as he said he was? His clothing was old and worn, the care of his person had been neglected and at first glance any observer might think that he was an ordinary vagabond. Perhaps he was, Fred thought, and yet somehow he was convinced that there were other things to be explained in connection with the stranger.
“Come up stairs,” said the tramp, leading the way up the stairway.
Fred followed obediently and soon found himself in the hallway from which opened several rooms. Some of these were large, though all were low. For a moment, as he stopped to look about him, it seemed to Fred that he almost saw the sights that the house had witnessed one hundred years before this time. What stories of life and death, of suffering and joy these old rooms might have told had they been endowed with the power of speech.
Somehow, although Fred was unable to account for his feeling, it seemed that unseen witnesses were about him and that the presence of himself and the tramp in these rooms was very like an intrusion. He did not speak concerning his feelings, however, and after a hasty inspection the two returned to the room below.
“What’s that?” demanded Fred suddenly as from the chimney there came sounds like those which he had heard the preceding evening.
“I cannot see,” replied the tramp, his eyes twinkling as he spoke.