The scheme was only partially successful. The water ghost appeared at the specified time, and found the heir of Harrowby prepared; but hot as the room was, it shortened her visit by no more than five minutes in the hour, during which time the nervous system of the young master was well-nigh shattered, and the room itself was cracked and warped to an extent which required the outlay of a large sum of money to remedy. And worse than this, as the last drop of the water ghost was slowly sizzling itself out on the floor, she whispered to her would-be conqueror that his scheme would avail him nothing, because there was still water in great plenty where she came from, and that next year would find her rehabilitated and as exasperatingly saturating as ever.
It was then that the natural action of the mind, in going from one extreme to the other, suggested to the ingenious heir of Harrowby the means by which the water ghost was ultimately conquered, and happiness once more came within the grasp of the house of Oglethorpe.
The heir provided himself with a warm suit of fur under-clothing. Donning this with the furry side in, he placed over it a rubber garment, tightfitting, which he wore just as a woman wears a jersey. On top of this he placed another set of under-clothing, this suit made of wool, and over this was a second rubber garment like the first. Upon his head he placed a light and comfortable diving helmet, and so clad, on the following Christmas Eve he awaited the coming of his tormentor.
It was a bitterly cold night that brought to a close this twenty-fourth day of December. The air outside was still, but the temperature was below zero. Within all was quiet, the servants of Harrowby Hall awaiting with beating hearts the outcome of their masters campaign against his supernatural visitor.
The master himself was lying on the bed in the haunted room, clad as has already been indicated, and then
The clock clanged out the hour of twelve.
There was a sudden banging of doors, a blast of cold air swept through the halls, the door leading into the haunted chamber flew open, a splash was heard, and the water ghost was seen standing at the side of the heir of Harrowby, from whose outer dress there streamed rivulets of water, but whose own person deep down under the various garments he wore was as dry and as warm as he could have wished.
Ha! said the young master of Harrowby. Im glad to see you.
You are the most original man Ive met, if that is true, returned the ghost. May I ask where did you get that hat?
Certainly, madam, returned the master, courteously. It is a little portable observatory I had made for just such emergencies as this. But, tell me, is it true that you are doomed to follow me about for one mortal hour to stand where I stand, to sit where I sit?
That is my delectable fate, returned the lady.
Well go out on the lake, said the master, starting up.
You cant get rid of me that way, returned the ghost. The water wont swallow me up; in fact, it will just add to my present bulk.
Nevertheless, said the master, firmly, we will go out on the lake.
But, my dear sir, returned the ghost, with a pale reluctance, it is fearfully cold out there. You will be frozen hard before youve been out ten minutes.
Oh no, Ill not, replied the master. I am very warmly dressed. Come! This last in a tone of command that made the ghost ripple.
And they started.
They had not gone far before the water ghost showed signs of distress.
You walk too slowly, she said. I am nearly frozen. My knees are so stiff now I can hardly move. I beseech you to accelerate your step.
I should like to oblige a lady, returned the master, courteously, but my clothes are rather heavy, and a hundred yards an hour is about my speed. Indeed, I think we would better sit down here on this snowdrift, and talk matters over.
Do not! Do not do so, I beg! cried the ghost. Let me move on. I feel myself growing rigid as it is. If we stop here, I shall be frozen stiff.
That, madam, said the master slowly, and seating himself on an ice-cake that is why I have brought you here. We have been on this spot just ten minutes, we have fifty more. Take your time about it, madam, but freeze, that is all I ask of you.
I cannot move my right leg now, cried the ghost, in despair, and my overskirt is a solid sheet of ice. Oh, good, kind Mr. Oglethorpe, light a fire, and let me go free from these icy fetters.
Never, madam. It cannot be. I have you at last.
Alas! cried the ghost, a tear trickling down her frozen cheek. Help me, I beg. I congeal!
Congeal, madam, congeal! returned Oglethorpe, coldly. You have drenched me and mine for two hundred and three years, madam. To-night you have had your last drench.
Ah, but I shall thaw out again, and then youll see. Instead of the comfortably tepid, genial ghost I have been in my past, sir, I shall be iced-water, cried the lady, threateningly.
No, you wont, either, returned Oglethorpe; for when you are frozen quite stiff, I shall send you to a cold-storage warehouse, and there shall you remain an icy work of art forever more.