There! he heard it distinctly! almost in step with his own.

He looked up and down, everywhere; and then Geordie's words rushed back on his memory, "If ever again a coward should be laird of Singleton, that old man--" Here he stepped forward, and again suddenly halted.

The footstep that time was as distinct as his own.

Pooh! what if it was?
He was not going to be afraid of all the ghosts in Scotland! and he laughed out loud by way of assuring himself of his nerve.

But he had hardly done so, when just above him sounded another laugh, mocking his own, and as he stepped suddenly forward, the footsteps began again as clear as ever.
This was more than Singleton had bargained for; and he sat down on the end of the gun in bewilderment and alarm.