Did I expect to find there some evidence of the excitement which this strange conversation might naturally produce in one already keyed up to an expectation of the mysterious and unusual?
If so, I was not disappointed.

My features certainly betrayed the effect of this unexpected attack upon my professional equanimity.

What did the girl mean?
What was she hinting at?
What underlay--what could underlie her surprising remark, "I guess you never heard about this house ?" Something worth my knowing; something which might explain Mayor Packard's fears and Mrs.Packard's-- There I stopped.

It was where the girl had stopped.

She and not I must round out this uncompleted sentence.
Meanwhile I occupied myself in unpacking my two bags and making acquaintance with the room which, I felt, was destined to be the scene of many, anxious thoughts.