The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-16
Though I spoke thus calmly, I was

modification and shame. However there was no help for it. I must keep it up now at all events; and by and by that maniac upstairs would surely, in the course of nature, tire himself out. I simply could not go and tell him any more lies. Things must take their course, resolved desperately.
 "You were speaking of the Irish question:" I observed in courteous tones (making myself heard as we'll as I could amid the appalling row over head). "I quite agree with you that something will have to be done" T"By Jove," I ejaculated mentally, "something will have to be done or my wife's uncle will be through the ceiling on to the dining tablel"]
 Uncle Simon helped himself to claret and glanced upward.
 "It-it seems to be in the room above," he said, in helpless, irritated kind of way.
 "Oh, it is sometimes in one part of the house, sometimes in another" answered carelessly. "The curious thing is that have known weeks to pass without our hearing any peculiar noises at all. You were not disturbed during your last visit, if I remember rightly. But pardon me, you were speaking of Mir. Gladstone's policy in regard to Ireland, were you notP"
 "Ah, yes, yes! It is atrocious! The man is becoming unbesrable" re- sumed my uncle testify (alluding, of course, to MT. Gladstone, and not to the concealed enemy upstairs). Wt is but bless my soul, boy, will that noise go on all night?"
 Here terrible crash, followed by a piercing yell, so startled poor Uncle Simon that he sprang to his feet, over turned his chair and spilled his wine all over the tablecloth.
 "We will go into the other room, 1" I said, seeing that the poor old fellow was as white as a sheet. "We shall not be so disturbed there."
 Weaccordingly went into the draw ing room, where we found Ella play ing merry jigs and reels upon the piano. The noise upstairs had ab- ruptly ceased.
 After a game or two of cribbage, in which cut but sorry figure, I sug- gested, backed up by Ella, that my uncle looked very tired; and alluded to his projected early start in the morning. He agreed that he was tired and after a couple of stiff glasses of brandy and water he went to bed.
 An omiDous silence meanwhile pre- vailed in the pink room.
 When we were alone I turned to Ella and said in voice of suppressed fury:
 "Well, madam, may I ask what you ropose doing now? I swear this is the last time l shall have anything to do with such confounded tomfoolery. l never felt so contemptible in my life! Your uncle and mine may leave their money to the Irish Land League or to the devil for all I care," I con- tinued, pacing up and down the room in towering passion. "I refuse to take part any longer in your mean, deceittul practices"
 This was distinctly unjust, of course. as we'll as rude; and Ella fired up at once, saying it was as much my fault as hers, etc.
 "Hold our tongue, madam!" I thundered, goaded past endurance.
 Here there was an extraordinary, inexplicable, untitled kind of noise from the direction of the pink room. seized candle and we rushed up- stairs.
 "I hope and trust he may not have had fit of apoplexy," I muttered be- tween my set teeth, as we reached the door. All was silent.
 "Where is the key?" I said shortly. But Ella hesitated.
 "Uncle," she said timidly through the key hole, "we have found an old key that we think will open the door. The locksmith did not come"
 l listened appalled, to this glib per- version of the truth, and wondered if it had ever been practiced on me. Still all was silent.
 "The room is quite dark, Charlie," said my wife nervously, as she pro- ceeded to fit the key into the lock.
 In another moment the door was open, and gust of wind almost ex- tinguished my candle. I held it aloof with whistle of dismay; for what a scene met my eyesl The room was strewn with maimed and disfigured furniture; the mirror was cracked right across; the crockery was smashed and the lower half of the window appeared to have entirely vanished. And oh horrorl the pale pink window curtains, the bed cur tains, tho covers of the chairs were stained here and there with deep crim- son. But where was Uncle Grepor, :?
 He had disappeared. The room was empty!
 Ella, aftera mortified glance around, uttered series of piercing screams.