ss, but they were taking the road
toward this place, and on a venture I came over. I hoped to connect with
you, and get instructions."

"That was right. Come with me."

"What's up?"

"A ghost hunt, unless I'm very much mistaken. I guess we can join it
without any trouble."

They made their way into the old portion of the house.

In the hall from which the broad stone stairs led up to the second floor
they paused a moment to listen.

Steps were approaching. Before they could get into a place of
concealment a door opened, and Colonel Richmond entered.

He carried a small lamp in his hand. Horace followed him.

"Gilder!" cried the colonel, seeing Nick disguised as the coachman. "Why
were you not present in the parlor?"

"I've just got back to the house, sir," rejoined the detective,
imitating Gilder's Yankee twang".

"Who's that with you?"

"My cousin, Frank Gilder."

"What's he doing here?"

"If you please, sir, I brought him over to spend the night with me. The
footman and I don't get along very well together, and I don't like to be
alone in a room in this house, sir, just now."

"So!" said the colonel. "I understand that you have seen strange things.
Very well; I am going to investigate this matter. I shall pass the
remainder of the night in the dining-hall above."

The colonel led the way up the stairs. The whole party followed him.

"May I ask where the other servants are, sir?" said Nick.

"They will pass the night in the new part of the house," returned
Horace Richmond, with a grim smile. "You can do so if you like."

"No, sir," said Nick; "I think I'd rather sleep in my own room so long
as my cousin is with me."

At the head of the stairs they turned at once toward the old
dining-hall.

It was proper for Nick to follow, for the nearest way to Gilder's room
led in that direction.

It was exactly midnight when they opened the door of the old
dining-hall. A cool breath of air swept out upon them, for the thick
stone walls of this part of the house resisted the hot weather, and this
room had been kept closed.

The colonel shivered slightly in the draught.

He paused on the threshold for a moment, and looked into the room. It
was lighted--except for the feeble ray from the lamp--only by the faint
moonlight which found its way in through the hall and narrow windows,
partly overgrown with clinging vines.

The whole party entered. The colonel set his lamp upon the sideboard.

He turned to