utterance to, but which now, from various subsequent calculations
assuming no little probability, it may be important that you
should not remain in further ignorance of.

It is my solemn duty to warn you, sir, that there is
architectural cause to conjecture that somewhere concealed in
your chimney is a reserved space, hermetically closed, in short,
a secret chamber, or rather closet. How long it has been there,
it is for me impossible to say. What it contains is hid, with
itself, in darkness. But probably a secret closet would not have
been contrived except for some extraordinary object, whether for
the concealment of treasure, or for what other purpose, may be
left to those better acquainted with the history of the house to
guess.

But enough: in making this disclosure, sir, my conscience is
eased. Whatever step you choose to take upon it, is of course a
matter of indifference to me; though, I confess, as respects the
character of the closet, I cannot but share in a natural
curiosity. Trusting that you may be guided aright, in determining
whether it is Christian-like knowingly to reside in a house,
hidden in which is a secret closet, I remain, with much respect,
Yours very humbly,

HIRAM SCRIBE.


My first thought upon reading this note was, not of the alleged
mystery of manner to which, at the outset, it alluded-for none
such had I at all observed in the master-mason during his