A cold shiver ran down through Patty's spine, but she was no girl to be frightened by the superstitious fancies of an ignorant serving maid.
"Nonsense, Fanny!" she said sharply, "you are growing quite crazed over that stupid pack. I saw nothing unusual in it, it looked innocent enough in all conscience."
"You never saw it move," was the answer, given in such a lifeless tone that Patty was chilled again.
"I'll tell you what, Fanny. I'll go in after luncheon, and see if it has moved from the place I saw it in."
"Did you notice the place well where it stood?" asked Fanny.
"Yes," replied Patty, "I'd know if it moved again. Don't tell Mrs. Tucker or cook anything about it. You and I will try to checkmate that pack if there is anything uncanny in it. Now tell cook I am ready for luncheon if she is."
But when the luncheon came on the table Patty had lost all hunger. She merely nibbled at trifles till Fanny came to clear away.
"I'm going to that room," she whispered. "If Mrs. Tucker should want me, or perhaps Sam might, for I told him I was going to see how well he had cleaned the harness that I found in the loft, then you must come in quietly and beckon me out. Don't let any one know I am watching that pack."
"Yes, miss," was Fanny's answer, given so hopelessly that Patty put a kind hand on her shoulder with the words:
"Cheer up, Fanny. I don't believe it's so bad as you make out. It is my belief you have imagined that the pack moved."