sent. Mr. Pond was not in the
house. He had returned to New York.

Besides the persons named, there were in the parlor nearly all the
servants connected in any way with the establishment.

It looked as if the colonel was holding court.

One of the servants seemed to be giving testimony. The expressions on
the faces of the others showed deep interest and superstitious terror.

Nick had no doubt about what was going on. The colonel was getting to
the bottom of the ghost stories. There must have been more
manifestations that night.

The detective was in doubt whether to enter the house in his own
character. Finally he decided not to do so.

He disguised himself in the character of John Gilder, the coachman, who
was not present in the parlor.

It seemed best to gain access to the room from an entrance toward the
old part of the house instead of from the main hall.

So Nick passed around the corner of the house. As he did so he was aware
of a dark figure crouching in the shadow.

He instantly grappled with it, and the figure was not less prompt in
grappling with him.

The struggle was very brief. It ended with Nick on top, and no harm
done.

The detective instantly leaped to his feet again.

"Patsy!" he exclaimed. "What brings you here?"

CHAPTER VII.

A REALLY COMPETENT GHOST.

Patsy told his story in a few words.

He had watched the Stevens house all day without discovering anything.

As evening descended, however, his patience had been rewarded.

"She came out," said Patsy, "and quietly scooted off across the fields."

"Millie Stevens?"

"Yes."

"What did she do?"

"She made for that big oak tree which stands in the middle of the field
on the right of the road as you go from the station.

"I had to trail carefully, for it was not very dark and there was no
cover. So I couldn't get very near her.

"Under that tree a man was waiting. He had a saddle-horse with him. The
man and the girl exchanged a few words.

"Of course, I couldn't hear what they said. Neither could I get a line
on the man.

"I resolved to get nearer, though it was taking big risks. It couldn't
be done. They saw me.

"In a flash the man leaped into his saddle and pulled the girl up in
front of him in regular old-fashioned style.

"They were off in no time. It was a fine horse they rode.

"I wasn't in it at any stage of the game. I ran myself out at the end of
about a mile.

"They had disappeared in the darkne