Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04

| turned quickly and saw pretty buis
with bright eyes and a childish face,
gazing at me with interest. I had little
doubt that she was old Bindloss's grand
daughter
"Wil you kindly tell me-" asked. III
this Is the way TO the Castle Inn'?'
/ My remark evidently startled her. Che
\ made bound forward seized me by my
hand, and tried to push me away from
the entrance 10 the lane into the high
road.
60 away" she cried, 1--WE have no
beds fit for gentlemen az the Castle Inn
Co. CO." she continued, and she pointed
up the winding road. Her eyes were now
blazing In her head, but l noticed that
her lips trembled, and that very little
would cause her to burst into tears.
But / am tired and footsore," /
answered II should like TO put up at
tho inn for the night"
Don't" she repeated; they'll put you
into room with ghost. Don't CO.
faint place for gentlemen Here
she burst, not into tears, but into a fit
OF high. shrill, almost idiotic laughter.
She suddenly clapped one OF her hands to
her forehead. and turning, flew almost
as fast as the wind down the narrow
lane and out Of sight.
l followed her quickly. 1 did not be-
live that the girl was quite as mad as
she seemed, but / had little doubt she
had something extraordinary weighing on
her mind.
At the next turn l came in view OF the
Inn 1t was a queer-looking old place
and / stopped for a moment 10 look at It,
The house was entirely built OF stone
There were two stories in the centre
part. which was square, and at the four
corners stood four round towers. The
house was built right on the river. just
! below a large mill-pond / walked up
to the door and pounded on 1t with my
! stick. Ii was shut, and looked as IN
hospitable as the rest OF the pace.
After a moments delay it was opened
two or three inches, and the surly face
OF an old woman peeped out.
"And what may you be wanting she
asked.
"A bed for the night" / replied; can
you accommodate neY'
She glanced suspiciously, first at me
and then at my camera.
you are an artist, / make no DOUBT
she said. "and we don't want no more
OF them here"
She was about TO slam the door in my
face, but | pushed my foot between 1t
and the Intel.
~ am easily pleased" said; "can you
not give me some sort of bed Tor the
| night
'You had best have nothing to DO with
US" she answered. you go off TO Hark-
hurst; they can put you up at the crown
and Thistle"
II have just come from there" l an
swered. "As a matter of fact, could
not walk another mile"
1--WE don't want visitors at the Castle
Inn" she continued, Here she peered
forward and looked into my face. you
had best be off" she repeated; they say
the place is haunted
] uttered a laugh.
you don't expect me to believe that?
7 sa,d. She glanced at me from head TO
| foot. Her face was ominous.y grave.
"You had best know all, sir" she said,
after a pause Something happens In
this house. and no living soul knows
what il is for they who have seen IL
have never yet survived TO tell the taie'
| It's not more than week Dack that
| vounp gentleman came here. He was
like you. bold as brass, and he, too want
| ed a bed, and would take no deniai.
told him plain, and so did my nan. that
| the Mace was haunted. He didn't MIND
no more than you mind. Well, he slept
in the only room we have got for guests,
and he--he died there.
.'What did he die OFF, i asked.
"Fright." was the answer, brief and
laconic. Now, do you want 10 come
OF not?'
Yes; 1 don't believe in ghosts; / want
| the bed and / am determined TO nave IL.
The woman flung the door wide open.
Don't say as 1 amt warned you" she
cried. "Come in if you must" She led
me into the kitchen, where fire burned
sullenly on the hearth.
"Sit you down, and I'll send for Bind
loss" she said. Il can only promise 10
| give YOU a bed If Bindloss agrees. Liz,
| come along here this minute"
A quick young step was heard in the
I passage. and the pretty girl whom l
! had seen at the top of the lane entered.
| Her eyes sought my face, her lips moved,
as If TO say something, but no SOUND
issued from them.
GO and find your grandad," said the
old woman. TEL him there is a gentle
man here that wants bed. ASK him
| what's 20 be done"
The girl favored me with long and
peculiar glance then turning on her heel
she left the room. AS soon as she did
So the old woman peered forward and
looked curiously at me.
I'm sorry you are staying" she said;
| "don't forget as l warned you. Re
member this amt a proper inn at all.
Once il was a mill, but that afore Bind
loss's day and mine. Gents would come
in the summer and put up for The fish
| ing. but then the story of the ghost
got abroad, and lately we have no visi-
tors TO speak of, only an odd one now
and then who amt wan;ed-no, he amt
wanted. You see, there was three deaths
| here Yes"-she held up one OF her
skinny hands and began to count on her
fingers-"yes, three up to the present;
three. that's 1t. All, here comes Bind
| loss"
A shutting step was heard in the pas
sage and an old man, bent with age
and wearing long, white beard, entered
| the room.
1--WE has no beds for strangers" he
said speaking in an aggressive and loud
tone. Hasn't the wife said so? We
| don't let out beds here"
GAS that is the case, you have no right
| to have mat signpost at the end of the
lane" / retorted. II am not in a mood
| to walk eight miles for shelter in coun-
try i knew nothing about. Cannot you
/ put me up somehow"
! II have told the gentleman everything
| Sam" said the wife. He is just for all
| the world like young Mr.. Wentworth.
and not a bit frightened"
| The old landlord came UP and faced
| me.
| Look you here" he said; you stay
on at your peril. I don't want you. nor
do the wife. Now is 1t yes or MOP
at IS yes" said.
There's only one room you can sleep
in"
zone room is sufficient"