Would you mind
looking at it?"
"If you would very kindly fetch it--you know I--er--naturally--have a--"
"It must not be disturbed before the inquest," said I; "but surely you
are not afraid--"
"I didn't say I was afraid," he retorted angrily. "Why should I be?"
With a strange, tremulous swagger, he strode across to the closet, flung
open the door, and plunged in.
A moment later we heard a shout of horror, and he rushed out, livid and
gasping.
"What is it, Calverley?" exclaimed Mr. Brodribb, starting up in alarm.
But Calverley was incapable of speech. Dropping limply into a chair, he
gazed at us for a while in silent terror; then he fell back uttering a
wild shriek of laughter.
Mr. Brodribb looked at him in amazement. "What is it, Calverley?" he
asked again.
As no answer was forthcoming, he stepped across to the open door of the
closet and entered, peering curiously before him. Then he, too, uttered
a startled exclamation, and backed out hurriedly, looking pale and
flurried.
"Bless my soul!" he ejaculated. "Is the place bewitched?"
He sat down heavily and stared at Calverley, who was still shaking with
hysteric laughter; while I, now consumed with curiosity, walked over to
the closet to discover the cause of their singular behaviour.
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