Got up by some villain for a purpose, and I can guess who he is." "This is serious," said Tom Temple.

"I have inquired of the servants, who all assure me of their entire ignorance of the matter, and I cannot think that any of my guests would assume the person of the traditional ghost for no other purpose than to frighten the housekeeper and two or three servants.

I'm by no means superstitious, but I do not see how I can trace it to human origin." "I cannot see why any guest should assume the person of the traditional ghost, but some men have deep designing minds.

They are like clever draught-players; they see half-a-dozen moves ahead, and so do that which to a novice appears meaningless and absurd." Then I heard another voice, one that caused my heart to beat wildly.

It was Gertrude Forrest's.