A candle was given to each of the four women, and Norma politely selected the oldest and most broken holder.
Land sake! exclaimed Stebbins, coming in, you goin to use that candlestick? Thats the very one the murderin woman used!
With a scream, Norma dropped it and no one moved to pick it up.
Get out, Stebbins! roared Landon, you queer the whole business.
Ill take this one, and Mr. Bruce picked up the old brass affair; Im not afraid of such things. Here, Miss Cameron, take mine, its new and commonplace, I assure you.
White-faced and trembling, Norma took the cheap crockery thing, and shortly they all followed Hester up the stairs to the shadows of the floor above.
The place was silent as the grave. Hesters slippered feet made no sound, and a voluntary scraping of Tracys shoes stopped as soon as he realized its enormous sound in those empty halls. A multitude of doors led to rooms in all directions, there seemed to be no plan or symmetry of any sort. The candle flames flickered, the small lamps burned with a pale sickly light.
Hester paused midway of the main corridor.
What rooms you want? she asked, uninterestedly.
Give me a cheerful one, wailed Milly. Oh, Wynne, let us take a little, cozy one.
Of course you shall, said Braye, kindly. Hester, which is the pleasantest room in the house? Give that to Mr. and Mrs. Landon! And then well put all you girls near them. The rest of us will camp anywhere.
Lets all pretty much camp anywhere till to-morrow, suggested the Professor. Id like to select my room by daylight.
Ive made up some of the rooms, and some I aint, volunteered Hester.
Then, for Heavens sake, show us the made-up rooms, and get out! burst forth Landon. I wish wed brought our maids, Milly; that woman affects me like fever and ague.
But after a time they were assigned to various more or less inhabitable bedrooms, and as quickly as possible, all reappeared in the great hall below, ready for supper.
The dining room, toward the back of the house, was not half bad, after all the available lights had been commandeered for the table.
You knew there were no electrics, said Braye to Eve, who was bewailing the fact.
Of course I did, and I thought candles would be lovely and picturesque and all that; and kerosene gives a good soft light, but well, somehow, do you know what I thought as we came through that dreadful wood?
What?
Only one sentence rang through my mind, and that was, The Powers of Darkness!
That isnt a sentence, objected the Professor, a little querulously, and everybody laughed. Also, everybody blessed the occasion for laughter.
But Eve went on. I dont care if its a sentence or a syllogism, or what it is! It just rang in my ears. And I tell you this whole place is under the Powers of Darkness
Do hush, Eve, pleaded Milly. I was just beginning to pull myself together, and now youve upset me again!
But Milly,
Let up, Eve! For the love of Mike, let up! Youre enough to give anybody the creeps. Landon glared at her.
Its only a question of light, Tracy broke in, in his pleasant way. Now, weve light enough for the moment, and to-morrow well make this the house of a thousand candles and a hundred lamps, and a few lanterns if you like. Incidentally, Friend Hester makes first-rate doughnuts.
Arent they bully! chimed in Vernie. Ive eaten six, and here goes for another.
Lucky theyre small, said her uncle. But seven doughnuts are enough to make you see the ghost of old Montgomery himself!
And all the Green Mountain boys, added Tracy, who was determined to keep conversation away from fearsome subjects.
By the time they had finished the meal, every one felt more at ease, Landon had recovered his poise, and Milly her cheerfulness.
Now, then, the Professor asked, as they left the table, shall we explore the house to-night
Lord, no! cried Braye. Leave it lay till daylight. Also, dont quiz old Stebbins as to whos who in Black Aspens! Lets turn on the Victrola and dance, or lets play poker or sing glees, or anything thats a proper parlour trick. But nothing, I insist, pertaining to our mission up here. Thatll keep.
As you like, and now Landon could smile. And you mollycoddles may pursue those light-minded pleasures. But Im going to have it out with Steb, because I want to know some several Laws for Beginners. But, dont let me interfere with your plans. Go ahead, and have play Hide and Seek All Over the House, if you choose. That used to be my favourite indoor game.
Oh! squealed Vernie, what an awful suggestion! In this house!
I move we hear the story of the house to-night. right now, said Eve.
Milly clasped her hands over her ears, instead of, as usual, over her mouth, and cried, No! I forbid it! Dont let em, will you, Wynne?
Seems to me, remarked Mr. Stebbins, you folks dont know your own minds! You want a hanted house, then when you git it, youre too scared to hear the story of the hant.
Im not scared, asserted Norma, but somehow, a hant sounds so much worse than a haunt. Doesnt it, now?
It sure does, agreed Braye. A hant is concrete, while a haunt is abstract.
Good! and Hardwick nodded approval. Now, I suggest that we look around a bit, get the general lay of the house and then all go to bed early. A good nights sleep will put our nerves and muscles in condition again. Im delighted with the place, and I foresee a first-class vacation ahead of us.
I wish it was behind us, and we were just starting for home, murmured Milly, but Eve reprimanded her.
Dont be a spoilsport! I like the place too, Professor, and Im going to investigate a little. What room is this?
Eves graceful figure crossed the great square hall, where they were all standing about, and paused at the closed door of a room just at the right hand as one entered the house.
Why, its locked! she exclaimed. That wont do, Mr. Stebbins! This whole domain is ours, now, you know. Open this door, please.
Eve wore the light gray skirt of her travelling costume, and a thin sheer white silk blouse, whose Vd neck fell away from her long, slender throat. Her hand on the door knob, she suddenly turned her strange beryl eyes toward Stebbins, her face turning whiter and her thin lips redder as she gazed.
This is the room isnt it? she breathed, and her hand slowly fell from the knob and hung loosely at her side.
Yes, maam, replied Stebbins, stolidly. Howd you know?
How could I help knowing! and Eves voice rang out like a clarion. I see it! I see it all!
She rushed across the hall and fell trembling on a settee. Tracy flew to her side, and took her hand.
There, there, Miss Carnforth, brace up! Were all right here. Nothing can hurt you.
Beats all how she knew! muttered Stebbins. You see thats the room
A cry from Milly stirred Landon to action.
Drop it, Stebbins, he said, and took a step toward him. None of that to-night. We do want your haunted house, but the long journey up here, and your confounded negligence in the matter of lights and servants and general good will, has got on the ladies nerves. Beat it now, to the kitchen, or wherever your quarters are, but you stay here to-night and be ready to report in the morning. You hear me?