10 Danger Inside the Haunted House

CHAPTER 10 Danger Inside the Haunted House By noon the next day, the boys were back at the haunted house. There was something so strange about the dead silence that ruled there under the baking sun, and something so sad about the loneliness of the place, that they were afraid to go in. Finally, they crept to a window and took a trembling peep. Inside, they saw a weed-grown and floorless room, an ancient fireplace, and a broken- down staircase. Ragged cobwebs hung everywhere. Tom and Huck entered, softly, talking in whispers, ears alert for the slightest sound,

and muscles ready for an instant retreat. They gave the grounds a thorough search, growing less and less afraid all the while. Finally, they put their digging tools aside and decided to look upstairs. It proved just as dark and dirty as the floor below. In one corner, they found a closet, but it turned out to be empty. Disappointed, they were about to go down and begin work when— "Shush!" said Tom. "What is it?" Huck whispered, turning white with fright. "There!... Hear it?" "Yes!... Oh, my! Let's run!" "Keep still!" Tom said. "They're coming right toward the front door." The boys stretched themselves upon the floor, peering through some broken boards

down on the room below. They lay there, as still as could be, waiting in fear.

The front door swung open, and two men entered. Tom turned to Huck and softly muttered: "There's the old Spanish man that's been about town once or twice lately. They say he can't talk or hear. I've never seen the other man before." "The other man" was a ragged, dirty- looking fellow with a dark scowl on his face. As for the mysterious Spaniard, he had wrapped himself in a long blanket called a serape. He had bushy white whiskers; long white hair flowed from under his sombrero, and he wore green goggles. Both men sat down on the ground, facing the door, with their backs to the wall, while Tom and Huck tried to hear every word they were saying. "No," said the scowling man to his companion. "I've thought it over, and I don't like it. It's dangerous." "Dangerous!" grunted the Spaniard,

shocking the boys by speaking. "Humbug!" As soon as Tom and Huck heard the voice, they both started to shake. It was Injun Joe in disguise! There was a long pause. Then Joe said: "What's more dangerous than coming here in the daytime!" "I know that. I want to quit this dump, and the sooner the better." The two men unpacked some food and started to prepare lunch. After a thoughtful silence, Injun Joe said: "Look here, lad—you go back up the river where you belong. Wait there till you hear from me. I'll take the chances on dropping into this town just once more, for a look. We'll do that 'dangerous' job after I've spied around a little. Then we're off for Texas!" Once the other man agreed, they ate their lunch in silence. Afterward, they both began yawning. Injun Joe said:

"I need some sleep! It's your turn to watch." Joe curled down in the weeds and soon began to snore. A little while later, the lookout began to nod as well. His head drooped lower and lower. Soon, both men were fast asleep. The boys drew a long, grateful breath. Tom whispered: "Now's our chance—come on." "I can't," Huck said, his voice shaking. "I'd die if they was to wake." Tom rose slowly, but the first step he took made such a loud creak from the crazy floor that he sank down almost dead with fright. Both boys lay there frozen, counting the seconds. Finally, they noticed the sun starting to set. Suddenly, Injun Joe stopped snoring, sat up, and looked around.