I've tried every end up, but there seems no way out of the trouble unless, indeed, we could find Sir Godfrey's treasure.' "'Who's he ?' "'An ancestor of mine, rather a back number, considering he died somewhere about two hundred and fifty years ago--but a restless old gentleman, for he is still said to have a trick of haunting the house, and, according to popular tradition, hoping to be able to point out the hiding-place of a treasure he stowed away.' "'Was it genuine treasure ?' "'I believe so.

He went off to fight in the Civil Wars, and hid the family plate and jewels in a secure place which nobody knew of but himself.

He had not the sense to leave any record of the spot, and when he was killed at Naseby his secret died with him, and the valuables--unless, as I sometimes suspect, the old chap had previously pledged them--were not forthcoming, nor have they ever been heard of since.' "'Has he ever appeared to you ?' "'Not he; I only wish he would.

The hoard would be a jolly windfall to me if I could manage to light upon it.

But I'm not the kind who goes about seeing ghosts.