- end_line
- 9633
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:26.985Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 9588
- text
- as an architect, than his solidity as a master mason.
At last, smoking my pipe one morning, I heard a rap at the door, and my
wife, with an air unusually quiet for her, brought me a note. As I have
no correspondents except Solomon, with whom, in his sentiments, at
least, I entirely correspond, the note occasioned me some little
surprise, which was not diminished upon reading the following:--
‘NEW PETRA, _April 1_.
‘SIR,--During my last examination of your chimney, possibly you
may have noted that I frequently applied my rule to it in a manner
apparently unnecessary. Possibly also, at the same time, you might
have observed in me more or less of perplexity, to which, however,
I refrained from giving any verbal expression.
‘I now feel it obligatory upon me to inform you of what was then
but a dim suspicion, and as such would have been unwise to give
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 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.’
- title
- Chunk 15