"Willie, take the machine and drive about the garden a-bit wherever you like.

Now, John." Willie did not at all like being sent away at this interesting point.
Another time he would have enjoyed driving over the short grass, and seeing it jump up like a little green fountain in front of him; but now his whole mind was absorbed by the few words he caught at intervals of the conversation going on between John and the young gentlemen.

What could it mean?
Mr.Bartram seemed to have awakened to extraordinary energy, and was talking rapidly.

Bill heard the words "lime-light" and "large sheet," and thought they must be planning a magic-lantern exhibition, but was puzzled by catching the word "turnip." At last, as he was rounding the corner of a bed of geraniums, he distinctly heard Mr.Bartram ask-- "They cut the man's head off, didn't they ?" Then they were talking about the ghost, after all! Bill gave the machine a jerk, and to his dismay sliced a branch off one of the geraniums.

What was to be done?
He must tell Master Arthur, but he could not interrupt him just now; so on he drove, feeling very much dispirited, and by no means cheered by hearing shouts of laughter from the party on the grass.