(The following is from the pocket journal of Edgar Willard)285Please respect copyright.PENANA03JlhjPoVN
Took the liberty this morning of forcing the lock which binds the book closed; did it before Mr. Beal arose. No help; it is all in cipher. A simple one, I believe. Perhaps I may break it as easily as the lock. A diary, I am certain, the hand strangely like Mr. Beal’s own. Whose book, shelved in the most obscure corner of this library and locked across the pages? It seems old, but how to tell? The corrupting air has largely been kept from its pages. More later, if time; Mr. Beal set upon looking about he cellar. Am afraid these dreadful goings-on will be too much for his chancy health yet. I must try to persuade him----285Please respect copyright.PENANAQkDuHdxlNI
But he comes. I must cease writing for now.285Please respect copyright.PENANAiaY6HWFTal