kept up his vigils for over a week, and he
began to think there was no use in them. One night, however, as he lay
behind a bush, watching the house, he was suddenly aware of a white
figure gliding noiselessly by him. Forewarned, though he was, the
ghostly stillness with which it moved, gave him quite a severe fright,
before he recollected that it was Drysdale. He immediately followed the
figure and noted his every movement. In the same way, as he had done at
first, he now proceeded, and after walking up the stream a short
distance, he reached down, felt for something at the bottom, and then
came out. As he slowly walked home, he passed within a few feet of
Green, who made a considerable noise to attract his attention; but,
Drysdale passed straight on, looking neither to the right nor left, and
Green was unable to play ghost for the lack of an audience.

Green's account was the exact counterpart of Mrs. Potter's, and I was
puzzled to account for this new move. As I sat in my office, in Chicago,
with Green's report before me, the idea flashed into my mind, that
possibly some of the stolen money was hidden at the bottom of the creek.
Recollecting the gold pieces, which had been found on the banks of the
creek, I surmised that the remainder of the gold was buried somewhere in
the bed of the stream. I had no doubt of the eventual recovery of all
the money, and so I decided to let that matter rest until I had complete
evidence of Drysdale's guilt.

A few days after the midnight walk, Drysdale invited Andrews to make
another visit to the plantation, saying,

"My overseer sends me word that he needs a great many things, and I
think I had better go out to see what is wanted, myself. I would like to
have you go with me, for, to tell the truth, I am almost afraid to go
alone."

"I shall be very glad, indeed, to go; when shall we start?"

"Let us start Monday, and return Friday, as before," replied Drysdale.

"Very well," said Andrews. "I shall be ready on time."

At the first opportunity, Andrews informed Green of their intended
visit, and told him that in order to insure the success of their plan,
it would be best for him to ride out to the plantation, also, on
Wednesday or Thursday. He could thus be on hand in his ghostly capacity
whenever wanted. Green promised to be at a certain spot, near the
plantation, on Wednesday afternoon, to receive instructions from
Andrews, and all their arrangements were then completed.

An