His prison had been set
on end!
"Not that way, man," objected Hodges, for Philip was now certain that he
was in the presence of the chief of construction. "Put it down--over
there in the corner."
"Not on your life," retorted Fingy, cracking his finger bones fiercely.
"See here. Mister Hodges, I ain't a coward, but I b'lieve in bein' to
the dead, 'n' to a box that's held one. It says on that red card,
'Head--This end up,' an', s'elp me, it's going to be up, unless you put
it down. I ain't goin' to be ha'nted by no ghosts! Ho, ho, ho--" He
approached close to the box. "I'll take this red card off, Mister
Hodges. It ain't nat'ral when there ain't nothing but maps 'n' things in
it."
If the cloth had not been about his mouth, it is possible that Philip
would not have restrained audible expression of his astonishment at what
happened an instant later. The card was torn off, and a ray of light
shot into his eyes. Through a narrow slit not more than a quarter of an
inch wide, and six inches long, he found himself staring out into the
room. The. Fingy was close behind him. And in the rear of these two, as
if eager for their departure, was Hodges, chief of construction. No
sooner had the men gone than Hodges turned back to the table in the
center of the office. It was not difficult for Philip to see that the
man's face was flushed and that he was laboring under some excitement.
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