wers that had been taken from the dim,
moon-lighted room, a memory of happiness and sweetness and content.

CHAPTER XXI

By all the deductions of experience the three people in the little inn
should have, in the light of the morning after, been reduced to common
sense; but the day laughed common sense to scorn and fanned the fires of
the previous evening to bright flame.

"I must write a letter," announced Margaret after breakfast, "a letter so
momentous that it will take me--an hour and a half! But my plans and
yours are all laid. Now, Priscilla, none of your cap and apron look.
You'll do exactly what I tell you to do; and you, too, Doctor Travers."

"I haven't the slightest intention of disobeying. And as for my cap and
apron, I've burned them!" Priscilla tossed her head.

Travers looked at her, and her loveliness seemed enhanced in her trim
white linen gown with its broad collar of Irish lace. How magnificent her
throat was! What a perfect woman she was! And _what_ hair!

"There is a train that leaves here at nine-thirty, a mad little
ramshackle train that goes to The Ghost and back in an hour and a half.
We've all yearned to climb The Ghost, or as much of it as we dared. Now
you two, with Mousey and a servant, are to go on the nine-thirty. I'll
finish my destruction of the social system and catch the eleven o'clock
train. We'll have picnic lunch. They say there's a dreadful cavern at the
base of The Ghost that is corking for picnics, and then we'll explore
until we have to return. Any objections?"

There were none.

"Very well! It's nine now! Priscilla, wear the roughest, heaviest things
you've got. You always have your hours of remorse too late. The Ghost
will chill your blood."

When the little party reached the small station at the mountain foot the
servants started at once to the cavern to build a fire and prepare for
the luncheon.

"Let us walk a bit up the trail," suggested Travers. "I always feel
like the Englishman who said the views halfway up a mountain are more
enjoyable than those on top. At least, you have life enough left to enjoy
them. This particular trail is a mighty wicked one. There ought to be
guides, for safety. I know the way perfectly; my mother and I once stayed
here some years ago. She meant to come here this summer early, but has
decided to wait until Doctor Ledyard joins us. I feel as if I were taking
the cream off the thing. Will you trust me--Priscilla?"

There was c