He seemed to hesitate then.
"May I really go now ?" he asked.

"I did not know there was a spirit here, or I would not have come." "Yes.

Go, and quickly!" said Fred, throwing his voice out so it came from far above the soldier.
He heard the soldier running then, and in a moment closed the door behind him, and began retracing his steps along the secret tunnel.
"Gee! That was a close call!" he said to himself.

"Serves me good and right, too, for doing more than I was told! I might have spoiled everything by not waiting until I knew more about the place.

If that soldier hadn't been ready to see a ghost in anything he didn't have some reason to expect to meet, I'd be in a lot of trouble now.