"I love to hear----" Patience never finished stating what she loved to hear.

A sharp little exclamation of "Look!" from Arline Thayer set all eyes gazing in the direction of her indexing finger.

Out of the darkness and into the swaying gleam of the lanterns a black-robed figure, bent double with the weight of years, hobbled its weird way toward the diners.

From a voluminous sable sleeve, a long thin hand projected itself, the wiry fingers clutching a tall staff.

The shifting glow of the lanterns played fantastically upon the apparition's veiled head as, step by step, it drew slowly nearer.