d going near the house in Trent Park. The moat aroused his
curiosity. It was filled with water, the depth being considerable; a
boat was moored to a small landing stage. Carl asked if his guide
could take him into the keep.

Tom said:

"I have brought the keys with me; I thought perhaps you'd like to see
it. I've seen strange sights hereabouts. I never come nigh the place
at night: there's things chill the marrow in one's bones," and he gave
a slight shudder.

Carl laughed. He was no believer in ghosts and such-like superstitions.

"Yer can laugh," said Tom irritably, "but I've seen 'em I tell ye. My
eyes are good evidence, I can't doubt 'em."

"I was not laughing at what you thought you've seen," said Carl.

"Thought!" exclaimed Tom. "There's no thought about it; it's gospel
truth."

"What did you see?"

"It's strange, beyond telling. There's been murder done in yon keep
many a time; it's a gruesome place," and he pointed across the dark
water to the round, ancient, tower-like building, whose stones gave
evidence of many centuries' battling with storm and tempest.

"Looks a bit lonesome."

"It is. You see that spot near the wall? Well, it's dark and deep,
and one night I saw her rise out from the depth. She wailed and threw
up her arms, then she sank. She came up again, and a third time; then
there was a splash and she disappeared. It was a great stone struck
her down. From yon small window, that slit in the wall, I saw a face
looking out. It was an awful face, must have been near kin to the
devil's; the thing groaned, broke into a harsh laugh, and it vanished.
Lord, I never want to see such sights again! My hair turned gray,"
said Tom.

Carl was amused. He humored him.

"Strange happenings indeed," he said. "What's it like inside?"

"I'll show you, but you had best go in alone. I've had enough of the
d----d place," answered Tom.

He got into the boat, took the solitary oar and placed it in the
rollock [Transcriber's note: rowlock?] at the stern; Carl stepped in
and stood up.

"Best sit," said Tom; "it's a crazy old craft."

"Why doesn't Mr. Chesney have a new one?"

"Don't know; thinks it's good enough for the job, I expect. He never
encourages folks' going to the keep."

"But he allows you to carry the keys?"

"Yes; he trusts me. He knows I'm none too fond of the devilish hole."
Tom ferried across to the broken-down landing-place near the door of
the keep. They got out