I see it all so plainly, that first night Stebbins said, slowly. First night! Land! there never was another! Not for me. Id sooner a died than slep in that room again!
See a ghost? asked Bruce, flippantly.
Yes, sir, and Stebbins looked straight at him. I seen a ghost. Im a sound sleeper, I am, and I went to sleep quiet and cam as a baby. I woke as the big clock there was a strikin four. It was that what woke me I hope.
Is there is there a bed in that room? asked the Professor.
Lord, yes, it was them folkses bedroom. In them days, people most always slep downstairs. I come awake suddenly, and the room was full of an icy chill. Not just coldness, but a damp chill like undertakers iceboxes.
Vernie shuddered and Tracy held her hand more firmly. Landon slipped his arm round Milly, and Eve and Norma glanced at each other.
Gifford Bruce replaced his sneering smile, which had somehow disappeared.
It was winter, and plumb dark at four oclock in the morning, but the room was full of an unearthly light, a sort of frosty, white glow, like you see in a graveyard sometimes.
And comin toward me was a tall, gaunt figure, with a shawl over its head, a white, misty shape, that had a sort of a halting step but was comin straight and sure toward that bed I was lyin on. I tried to scream, I tried to move, but I couldnt, I was paralyzed. On and on came the thing halting at every step, but gettin nearer and nearer. As she oh, I knew it was that woman
I thought it was a man who was murdered, put in Mr. Bruce, in his most sardonic tones.
So it was, sir, Stebbins spoke mildly, but it was the murderess doin the hantin. I spose she cant rest quiet in her grave for remorse and that. She came nearer and and I saw her face and
Well?
And it was a skull! A grinning skull. And her long bony hand held a glass a glass of poison for me.
Er did you take it? This from Bruce.
No, sir. I swooned away, or whatever you may call it. I lost all consciousness, and when I come to, the thing was gone.
Ever see her again? inquired Mr. Bruce, conversationally.
No, sir, and Stebbins eyed him uninterestedly. It was impossible to annoy the story teller. No, I never seen her.
Heard her? asked Braye.
Yes; manys the time. But I aint never slept in that room since.
I should say not! cried Eve. But I will! Ill brave the phantasm. Id be glad to see her. Im not afraid.
You neednt be, said Mr. Bruce, with a short laugh. You wont see anything, Miss Carnforth. Id be willing to try it, too.
What other manifestations have you experienced? asked Braye. What have you heard?
Mostly groans
And hollow laughter, interrupted Bruce. Those are the regulation sounds, I believe.
Oh, hush! cried Eve. Mr. Bruce, you drive me frantic! I wish you hadnt come!
I dont, declared Bruce. I think its most interesting. And do I understand, Mr. Stebbins, that this charming lady of large size and hard heart, carried usually that candlestick that I made use of last night?
At last Stebbins resented Bruces chaff.
So the story goes, sir, he said, curtly. And manys the time Ive known that candlestick to be moved during the night, by no mortal hand.
Look here, Uncle Gif, said Braye, good-naturedly, you dont want to get yourself disliked, do you? Now, let up on your quizzing, and lets get down to business. We set out for a haunted house. I, for one, think weve got all we came after, and then some! If the hant began moving her candlestick around the first night, what may she not do next? You didnt do it, did you, Uncle?
Ive told you I didnt, Rudolph, and I again repeat my word. But it was scarcely necessary for me to do it, when such a capable spook, I mean, phantasm is regularly in attendance.
Now, Ive told you the tale, and Stebbins rose, and shook himself as if he had done his duty. I aint nowise responsible for your believin it. What Ive told you is true, so fars my own experience goes; and what Ive told you hearsay, is the old story thats been told up in these parts by one generation after another, since old Montgomerys day. Now do you want to see the room with the tassels?
I dont! cried Milly, I cant stand any more.
You neednt, dear, said Landon; suppose you go out on the terrace and walk about in the sunlight. You go with her, Vernie, you can see the room, later on.
Ill go too, and Tracy tactfully offered his escort. The tassels will keep. Come on, Braye?
No; Ill see the show through. You can look after the ladies, Tracy.
So the others crowded round Stebbins, as he prepared to unlock the door of the fatal room.
Taint no great sight, he said, almost apologetically. But its the hanted room.
Slowly he turned the key and they all filed in.
The room was dark, save for what light came in from the hall. All blinds were closed, and over the windows hung heavy curtains of rep that had once been red but was now a dull, nondescript colour. There were more of these heavy, long curtains, evidently concealing alcoves or cupboards, and over each curtain was a lambrequin edged with thick twisted woolen fringe, and at intervals, tassels, enormous, weighty tassels, such as were once used in church pulpits and other old-fashioned upholstery. Such quantities of these there were, that it is small wonder the room received its name.
And the tassels had a sinister air. Motionless they hung, dingy, faded, but still of an individuality that seemed to say, we have seen unholy deed, we cry out mutely for vengeance!
It was them tassels that scared me most, Stebbins said, in an awed tone. I mean before she come. They sort of swayed, when they wasnt no draught nor anything.
I dont wonder! said Braye, theyre the ghostliest things I ever saw! But the whole room is awful! It oh I say! put up a window!
I cant, said Stebbins simply. These here windows aint been up for years and years. The springs is all rusted and wont work.
Theres something in the room! cried Eve, hysterically, I mean something besides us something alive!
No, maam, said Stebbins, solemnly, whats in here aint alive, maam. I aint been in here myself, since that night I slep here, and I wouldnt be now, only to show you folks the room. I sort of feel s if Id shifted the responsibility to you folks now. I dont seem to feel the same fear of the hant, like I was here alone.
Dont say hant! Stop it! and Eve almost shrieked at him.
Yes, maam. Ghost, maam. But hant it is, and hant it will be, till the crack o doom. Air ye all satisfied with your bargain?
No one answered, for every one was conscious of a subtle presence and each glanced fearfully, furtively about, nerves shaken, wills enfeebled, vitality low.
What is it? whispered Eve.
Imagination! declared Mr. Bruce, but he shook his shoulders as he spoke, as if ridding himself of an incubus.
There was a chilliness that was not like honest cold, there was a stillness that was not an ordinary silence, and there was an impelling desire in every heart to get out of that room and never return.