The ha'nt business, I dare say, was started as a joke, and was kept up as being a convenient method of warding off eavesdroppers.

Why Jefferson came back and why Radnor gave him money are not matters that concern us; if they prefer to keep it a secret that's their own affair.
"Jeff helped himself pretty freely to cigars, roast chickens, jam, pajamas, books, brandy, and anything else he needed to make himself comfortable in the cabin, but he took nothing of any great value.

In the meantime, though, other things commenced disappearing--things that Radnor knew his brother had no use for--and he supposed the workers about the place were stealing and laying it to the ghost, as a convenient scapegoat.
"But as a matter of fact they were not.

A second ghost had appeared on the scene.

This tramp negro had taken up his quarters in the spring-hole and was prowling about at night seeking what he might devour.