Once, in some way, he got hold of a real bat, and nailed it to the wall." Dale, listening, could not repress a shudder at the gruesome picture--and Miss Cornelia's hands gave an involuntary twitch as her knitting needles clicked together.

Anderson seemed by no means unconscious of the effect he had created.
"How many people in this house, Miss Van Gorder ?" "My niece and myself." Miss Cornelia indicated Dale, who had picked up her wrap and was starting to leave the room.

"Lizzie Allen--who has been my personal maid ever since I was a child--the Japanese butler, and the gardener.

The cook and the housemaid left this morning--frightened away." She smiled as she finished her description.

Dale reached the door and passed slowly out into the hall.