Box 13 - House of Darkness

Dan Holiday receives a letter in Box 13 that reads "I have something that may intrigue your sense of adventure. I myself cannot follow it up because I am blind. However, if you will come to the Braille Room at the public library tomorrow at 11 o'clock in the morning, you may be able to find something of interest. I think someone is in desperate danger, and needs help. I'd like to know what you think. Sincerely, William Michaels". In Dan's office, Susie asks "I wonder how Mr. Michaels knew about Box 13, Mr. Holiday?  Dan says "I wonder about that too, Susie. He says he's blind." Susie says "Gee, this is really one letter I'd follow up if I were you". Dan asks "What time is it?" Susie says "It's a quarter to eleven". Dan says "Well, it gives me fifteen minutes to get to the public library, and also get a ticket for speeding if I want to get there on time, but maybe it will be worth it". Dan walked into the Braille Room of the library on time, without a ticket. There were only two people in the room, a man and a woman. The woman was busily running her sensitive fingers over a book, but the man was facing the door with a tense, expectant expression on his face. Dan walked over to him and sat down. The man turned his face toward Dan and asks "Box 13?" Dan says "That's right. You're William Michaels?. William says "Yes, that's right. I didn't know whether you'd come or not. As a matter of fact, I half wish you hadn't". Dan says "Your letter mentioned adventure. I never turn that down. What have you got, Mr. Michaels?" He says "This book. It's in braille as you can see". Dan says "What about it?" William says "Let me read you a passage from page 80. "And the terror of the night is hidden in the dark corners of my mind. And the shapes and phantoms that live in fancy are become real". Dan asks "Is that all?" William says "That is all that was originally written on the page, however, at the bottom it also says "Help me. 1217 Granger Avenue". Dan says "That is also on the page?" William says "Yes. Someone who knows how to read and write Braille has used a pin or a needle to put this message on the bottom".