ed noiselessly, and we
advanced onto a brick walk, so little used as to be half hidden by
weeds growing in the crevices. The moon dimly revealed rank vegetation
on either side, while ahead, beneath the tree shadows, the darkness was
profound. There was no sound, no faintest gleam of light to indicate
the house, and I was compelled to advance cautiously to keep to the
path, which apparently wound about in the form of a letter "S." We
were at the foot of the front steps, the building itself looming black
before us, almost before we realized its nearness. I could perceive
the outlines indistinctly, and the deserted desolation affected me
strangely. Perhaps some of the negro's superstition had got into my
blood, for I felt my heart leap when the girl suddenly sobbed,
clutching me in an agony of fear. Yet the very knowledge of her fright
stiffened my resolution, and I dropped the grips to clasp both her
hands.

"Don't!" I insisted. "I know the place looks leery enough, but Pete
said the overseer and housekeeper were here. Doubtless they are in the
back rooms. Wait here until I go up and rouse them."

"Oh, no; I could not stand it to be left alone."

"All right; here, take my hand, and we 'll go up together."

They were broad wooden steps, leading to a wide porch, the roof
supported by heavy columns. Beyond was the dark bulk of the house,
shapeless in the gloom. We were within a single step of the top when a
man--seemingly a huge figure--suddenly emerged from the shadow of a
column, and confronted us.

"What ther hell," he ejaculated sullenly, "are you doin' here?"

I paused with foot uplifted, too astounded at the apparition to
respond, conscious my companion had shrunk behind.

"Well, speak up!" growled the voice. "What 's wanted?"

It was not in my nature to fear men, and this was evidently a man. I
could feel the warm blood surge back to my heart.

"You surely startled me, friend," I explained. "Are you the overseer?"

"I reckon I am, but what I want to know is, who you are?"

"I?" striving to regain my wits. "Why, I am--am Philip Henley; we--we
have just got in from the North."

"How did you git out yere?"

"A negro drove us from the station--old Pete who worked here once;
maybe you know him?"

The man grunted.

"What become of the nigger?"

"He simply dumped us out at the gate, and drove back as though the
devil was after him. He said the place was haunted."

"And he hit it about ri