Yes, sir, and shrugging his shoulders, the man disappeared among the shadows in the back of the hall.
The great main hall was so large that the lights they had were all insufficient for illumination. There seemed to be innumerable doors and openings of side corridors, also a second staircase, far behind the main one.
Heres a good-looking room, lets go in here, said Tracy, stepping through some old, faded draperies to the room on the left of the hall as one entered the house.
Hardwick followed, and the others with lamps and candles pushed in. It was a large, dignified apartment, evidently a parlour or ballroom of the old mansion. The furniture was of old, carved rosewood, its upholstery worn, but fairly decent. Oil portraits were on the walls and massive ornaments of imitation bronze stood about, showing white here and there where the coating was chipped off.
Yellowish onyx vases graced the mantels, and the windows were hung with heavy rep curtains which, however, veiled no lighter ones.
Ghastly! cried Norma.
What do you mean by ghastly? began the Professor, and Tracy laughed.
She didnt mean it at all, Professor, he said, Miss Cameron meant to say hideous. Now, dont ask me what I mean by hideous, just look at the interior decorations here and draw your own conclusions as to my meaning. But though not to be called æsthetic, this furniture is fairly comfy. The springs of this sofa are intact, come sit by my side, little darling. This last to Vernie, who was wide-eyed and alert, lapping up these strange, new impressions.
All right, and she flung herself down beside him. Youre a real comfort, Mr. Tracy, youre so, so unministerial!
Thank you, my child. One neednt carry ones pulpit voice into social life.
Oh, I dont mean you do or say anything that a man of your calling oughtnt to, but youre so nice about it.
I think so too, chattered Milly, I do think a clergyman with a sense of humour makes a fine combination.
The mental atmosphere gradually lightened and when Landon suggested they all retire, it was a composed and merry hearted group that obeyed the summons.
When twelve sonorous strokes boomed from the tall clock in the upper hall, the men beneath the roof of Black Aspens were all sleeping more or less soundly.
Milly, with only occasional little quivering shudders, slumbered in Landons arms. Vernie slept with the sound dreamless sleep of youth.
But Eve and Norma were wide awake, and unable to close their eyes.
In adjoining rooms, the communicating door ajar, they could hear one another toss restlessly, but they said no words.
Normas blue eyes were wide open, her thoughts rambling over the strange surroundings in which she found herself, and her mind leaping forward, speculating on what might happen.
Eve, her long, glittering eyes half closed, listened for any sound; her nerves alert, her thoughts darting from material things to the supernatural, every muscle tense with a nameless apprehension.
More hours were rung out by the old clock, and at last dawn began to creep in at the deep narrow windows of the old house.
With a shrug and a stretch Vernie awoke. Drowsily, in the half light she tried to make out her surroundings, and then, suddenly remembering where she was, she dove her head under her blanket, in a quick rush of fear. Then curiosity conquered, and she came to the surface again, and looked about. The light, growing gradually stronger, showed the appointments of the room, the ugly old four-poster bedstead, of light wood, apple or hickory, the heavy rep lambrequins, that seemed to be a feature of the house, and the scantily appointed dresser, on which, the night before, she had set her extinguished candle.
Shadows still lurked in the corners of the room, still hung round the draperies and furniture, yet through the gloom Vernie saw something that made her eyes stare and her flesh creep. Clenching her hands till her sharp nails bit into her palms, she gave a shriek that rang through the silent house.
CHAPTER IV
The Story of the House
From their nearby rooms Eve and Norma rushed to Vernies room.
The child was huddled beneath the bed clothes and at their entrance shot her head out, crying wildly, Look! look! the old candlestick!
Milly came running, in dressing-gown and slippers, and from distant regions came the voices of the men.
Whats the matter? asked Gifford Bruce. Wasnt that Vernies voice?
Yes, Uncle Gif, Vernie called out. Oh, did you do it?
Do what? and in his hastily donned bath robe, old Mr. Bruce appeared.
Why, and Vernie was calm now, theres that old candlestick, the one the the murderer used on my dresser! Last night I had a little china one!
What are you talking about a murderer! Wake up, child!
Im not asleep. But I see, now. You had this old one, Uncle Gif, and, you know you said you were going to fool us if you could, and so you sneaked it in here to pretend the haunt did it!
What! What nonsense! I did nothing of the sort!
Who did, then? You know you had this one last night.
I certainly did. Wonder whats in my room now.
Mr. Bruce ran back to his room and returned with the little china candlestick Vernie had carried to her room the night before. They had certainly been exchanged during the night.
Everybody stared at the two candles, so worthless in themselves, but so inexplicably transferred, if, as he declared, Gifford Bruce had not exchanged them.
Of course I didnt do it, he repeated, angrily. I did say, in fun, that I meant to trick you, but when I saw how nervous and wrought up all you women were last night, I wouldnt dream of doing such a thing! Why, Vernie, I think too much of you, dear, to add to your fear or discomfort in any way.
At last everybody concluded it was the work of some one of their number, and there were varying opinions as to the identity of the perpetrator of what must have been meant for a joke.
But at breakfast time the matter was discussed very seriously and each avowed in all honour that he or she knew nothing of it.
I can speak not only for myself, said Professor Hardwick, gravely, but for Mr. Tracy and Mr. Braye. They would have had to pass my door to move around the halls, and I was awake all night, looking and listening, and I know they did not leave their rooms.
I speak for myself, said Gifford Bruce, haughtily. I declare on my oath that I did not leave my bed. Somebody exchanged those candles, but it was not I.
The Landons spoke for each other, and no one, of course, could suspect Wynne or Milly. And naturally, the two girls, Eve and Norma, would not go to Mr. Bruces room to play a trick like that.
I dont mind now, said Vernie, when its all light and cheerful and youre all around me, and the breakfast is so good and all. I think its the beginning of these experiences we came up here to look for. Why are you all so surprised? Because I had the first party?
The merry-eyed girl was unafraid now, but Hardwick shook his head.
I dont like it, he said. We cant investigate if theres a trickster among us. You didnt do it yourself, did you, Vernie?
No, Professor, and the pure truthful gaze of the brown eyes left no room for disbelief. Honest, I didnt. But, she laughed mischievously, if I had, I should say I hadnt!
Vernie! This wont do! and Eve glared at her, You little minx, I believe you did do it!