hirled about, with revolver drawn. His
own nerves were beginning to get too taut, with the tension exaggerated
by the superstition and fright of the negro.

"Look! Look! Look at dem big black boogies standin' dere, Marse Warren.
See 'em standin' dere?"

Jarvis laughed and put his gun into his side pocket.

"They're the same black things that scared you before, don't you
remember?"

"Oh, I'm so skeered, boss, dat I can't remember nuthin' at all."

"Get up on your pins--they're nothing but old suits of armor, and
you're liable to get some moonlight through you, Rusty, if there's
another rear-end collision like that. You've been treading on my heels
every step I take, and when I stop you bump into me."

"But Marse Warren," pleaded the frightened darky, "I'm powerful 'fraid
I might lose you!"

"A fine chance," snorted Jarvis, looking about. "Well, Rusty, we've
been through this old place pretty thoroughly, and not a sign of a
soul--unless they pound or carry a smoky lantern. It's a clew, Rusty,
it's a clew. We'll stick right here until we find out. This is the best
room of the castle, and the ghost may prefer it."

Jarvis crossed to the fireplace again, and striking a match, held it
into the opening. Its flicker indicated a good draught.

"There, Rusty," he said. "It's a good chance for a fire. The chimney's
clear. Now break up that lopsided, rickety table there and make a fire.
You won't feel half so scared with a good blaze behind you."

He turned toward the half-flight of stairs, with a studious expression
as he mentally measured the heights and thickness of the walls and
ceiling.

"I'll scout around a bit, Rusty."

"Don't you do scoutin' outsiden dis room."

Rusty crossed to the fireplace, with the pieces of easily-smashed table
legs, and began to light the fire.

"This was probably the banquet hall, Rusty."

"Yes, and say, Marse Warren, when we-all goin' ter eat?"

"When we get through with this job." He turned thoughtfully toward the
big windows on the south of the room, and mused aloud: "That's the way
through the two long rooms to the postern gate. Umm."

"That's where that black thing followed me."

"Yes, and a black thing followed me, walking on my heels every step I
took. I couldn't see where I was stepping."

"That goes to the armory."

"I seen eyes in dere and a cold grimy, green smell in dere. Ain't dat
where dat broad-faced bird flew at me, an' I slipped down de stairs?"

"Don't you