The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-06-08

peats Robin. shaking her head. What
does it mean? | never read such rub
b:sh in my life.''
.'Hush!' I say. feeling strange
humping about the region of my heart.
ut is a message from Lucy to Jack.
Oh, Robin, this accounts for every
thing! Shehas been appearing to him;
and shudder.
+ Don't talk such nonsense. il you
please" answers Robin, and for al
most the first time in my experience
she looks really angry. do you mean
to say that you actually believe in
ghosts?"
Ghosts ] say scornfully, and re-
futing the old fashioned accusation
mo, of course don't believe in ghosts;
but / do think some spirits have power
accerdedsthe1n to revisit the earth.
$50 they can be seen?"
"Yes, so they can be seen.
Then you make distinction where
there exists no difference; and; no mat
ter how you may disguise your super
s.ition, yen really believe in ghosts as
thoroughly as the most ignorant coun-
try bumpkin:"
Hush, hush!" / say, gazing round
with some vague idea that her out
spoken disbelief VIII bring down upon
our beads retribution in the shape of
some dreadful apparition.
"But l won't hushr' declares Robin
stoutly. Il am convinced that some
trick is being played upon your broth
er. Ah"-with smile OF recollec. ion
.now / remember; he passed me about
an hour since, on his way round the
walk. He must have come to look for
the note, in which case it is not the
first message of the kind he has re-
'ceiyed.n
Midnight" repeat thoughtfully.
ss.That accounts for last nights wtlk. y
II tell you what, said Robin decid-
eddy. 1--WE must replace that scrap Of
paper in the exact spot from which
took it, and tonight we will creep out
here and hide; then we shall see what
comes OF it. {.
Il coulan't do it; it would kill me 10
see Lucy" l declare positively. 81
should be frightened out of my senses.
"Don.t be so affected, Bee Bee, '
says Robin, looking at me with some
contempt; lit is only some stupid hoax
of which your brother is the victim.
Eesides, what is thereto fear? If you
do feel tinid, VIC can induce Harry to
remain and join the expedition.
.Of course, if Harry came, it would
be different" I accede .doubtfully
mot that the strongest man alive is
of much use when it comes to an en-
counter with spirits and again
SILVER.
bah! 1t is sure to turn out q tolcr.
ablyssolid spirit. y ~
..But the handwriting, Robin! Lucy'S
was not an ordinary handwriting.
Look at those square tops TO the let
ters.'1'zg
z 1T is a peculiar hand, admits Rob
in; ..but either that is a coincidence
or some one has purpossly initiated it.
'sNo, no. | say, with dreary shake
OF my head. 1T is her writing-there
is not a doubt about it. Besides, who
would go to the trouble OF playing such
stupid, paltry trick as you seem tc
imagine?A
THAT is the thing that puzzles me,
answers Robin honestly. IL certainly
can't see any object: but of course
there must be one. 1t may be simpl.
a conspiracy to eNtort money"
"Believe ne, Robin, we had better
let the matter alone" l say, slowl,
shaking my head. , SE
"Believe me, Bee Bee" mimic'
Robin, eve had better sift the matte1
thoroughly. If you refuse to accom-
pany me tonight, it will make no diff
ference; in that case j suppose | shall
have to go alone.S sr ss.e
mo, no." ! respond, gathering
around me the small stock of courage
with which nature has endowed me
If the thing is to be done, we had bet
ter go in a body"
Soft is decided; and, after replacin:
the scrap of paper in its hiding-place
Robin and retrace our steps towards
the house.
!, AT the end of the walk we come fac
to face with John. He is saunterine
along slowly, with his hands claspec
behind his back and his head bent. 81
deeply is hesengrossed in thought tina
we have to step off the path to avoids;
collision. e
"a penny for your thoughts" erie
Robin lightly, as, becoming aware o
our presence, he looks up with q
dreamy smile.
They are not for SALE" answer
Jack, in the same bantering tone; an'
sthenhe pursues his way with quicken
ed step. ~
/. ..Ah, ah!" laughs Robin, as, slipping
her arm within mine, we proceed il
the opposite direction. ''As If We di,
not know them well enough. Monsieur
Jack! You are going straight to lool
for that mysterious message, and
what is more, you viii find it. ,
She only INDUCES in this little piec'
of banter soto r0cC, and when perfect,
sure my brother is out of earshot.
81 wonder if he will find it?" sa,
vaguely.
..Of course he will. 1t is not tn
first or second he has had.
.sHow do you know that?"
Instinct, my dear-simply instinct
l am largely endowed with that usefu
commodity
CHAPTER VII. ~
1t is five-and-twenty minutes pas
eleven p. m.
Robin, Harry and / are assembled il
the dim dining-room. equipped TO
our midnight adventure. So far al
has gone well. Aunt Louisa chance
to be late for dinner and Harry particu
larry early, so that we had ample tim
for explanation and planning.
Our plot is simple in the extreme
At eleven Harry takes his departure
and few minutes later we all retir
to our rooms. At twenty minutes pas
eleven, Robin and ] creep down to tn
deserted dining-room and admit Harr
by the window. John, having absent
ed himself from the drawing-rooT