The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-04


Came to his death?' he asked. And
how was that%
- God knows. but I don't I answered.
AT the coroner's inquest il was said that
he died from syncope, whatever that
means, but the folks round here said it was
fright Mr.. Wentworth just laughed at
me lie didn't mind word ! said, and the
next day sir, he was off, carrying his be-
longings with him"
Wen, and what happened?" 1 asked
seeing that she paused.
What happened, sir? Just what I ex-
pected. Two days afterwards came the
news Of his death. Poor young gentleman.
He died in the very room where Holt had
breathed his last, and oh. if there WASH
a fuss ana to-dO for ii turned out that al
though he seemed quite poor TO US, with
little or no money, he was no end OF
swell, and had rich relations, and big es-
tateS coming to him, and, OF course, there
was q coroners inquest and all the rest
and great doctors came down from London
and our DR.. Stanmore, who lives down the
street was sent for, and though they did
all they could, and examined him. as II
were, with a microscope, they could ind
no cause for death and so they give 1t out
that it was syncope, just as they did IN the
case Of poor Holt. But; sir: it wasn't; il
was fright. sheer fright. The place Is
haunted. It's a mysterious, dreadful house
and ! only hope you won't have nothing &c
She added a few more "ords and pres
entity left us.
That's a strange story" I said, turning
to Johnson; your wife has excited my cur
iosty. ! should much like to get further
particulars"
There don't seem to be anything more
to tell, sir" replied johnson. Its true
what the wife says, that the Castle Inn
has a bad name. It's not the first, no, nor
the second, death that has occurred there;
You mentioned your village doctor; dc
you think he could enlghCen me on the
subiect?'
Il am sure he would do his best, sir. He
lives only six doors away, in a red house.
Maybe you wouldn't mind stepping down
the street and speaking to him.?
You are sure he would not think 1t a
Not he. sir; he'll only be too pleased to
exchange a word with some one outside
this sleepy little place"
Then I'll call on him. 1 answered, and,
taking my hat 1 strolled down the street.
home, and the moment I saw his face de-
termined to take him into my confidence;
The fact is this" 1 said, when he had
shaken hands with me. II should not
dream of taking this liberty did | not feel
And in what way?" he asked, not
stiffiy, but with keen. inquiring' inter-
ested glance
Il have been sent down from London to
inquire into the Wentworth mystery"
said
rs that so?" he said with a start. Then
he continued graVey: Il fear you have
come on a wild-goose chase. There was
nothing discovered at the autopsy to ac-
count for the death. There were no marks
on the body and all the organs were
healthy. I met Wentworth often while he
was staying here, and he was as hearty
and strong looking young man as L have
ever come across.
But the Castle Inn has bad reputa-
ton 1 said.
THAT is true; the people here are afraid
of it. 1t is said to be haunted. But really
sir you and 1 need not trouble ourselves
about stupid reports like that. Old Bind
loss, the landlord has lived there for years,
and there has never been anything proved
against him"
rs he alone?"
NO his wife and grandchild live there
also"
"A grandchild?" I said. Did not this
girl give some startling evidence at the in
quest"
Nothing of any consequence" replied
DR.. Stanmore; "she only repeated what
Bindloss had already said himself, that the
house was haunted, and that she had asked
Wentworth not to sleep in the room.
Has anything ever been done to explain
the reason why this room is said to be
haunted?" l continued
Not that / know of. Rats are probably
But have there not been other deaths in
the house?'
THAT is true"
"How many?"
well 1 have myself attended no less
than three similar inquests."
"And what was the verdict of the jury?
In each case the verdict was death from
Which means. cause unknown" said
jumping impatiently to my feet. Il won
der, DR.. Stanmore, that you are satisfied tC
leave the matter in such a state"
And. pray. what can 1 do"' he inquired
Il am asked to examine a body. / find al
the organs in perfect health l cannot trace
the least appearance of violence. nor car
| detect poison. What other evidence can
II can only say that I would not be sat
isffed," / replied. Il now wish to add that
have come down from London determined
to solve this mystery. l shall myself put
up at the Castle Inn
Well said DR.. Stanmore.
And sleep in the haunted room"
"Of course. you don't believe in the
NO, but believe in foul play. Now, DR.
Stanmore. will you help me?''
Most certainly, if l can. What do you
wish me TO dor
''This: l shall go to the Castle Inn to-
morrow. If, at the end of three days, do
not return here, will you go in search OF
me, and at the same time post this letter to
Mr.. Edgcombs my London lawyer"
IF you do not appear in three days, I'll
kick up no end of q row. said DR.. Stan
more. land, of course, post your letter.
Soon afterwards j shook hands with the
doctor and left him.
After an early dinner on the following
day L parted with my good-natured land
lord and his wife, and, with my knapsack
and kodak strapped over my shoulders,
started on my way. | took care to tell no
one that / was going to the Castle Inn, "
and for this purpose doubled backMshrough
a wood, and so found the right road. The
sun was nearly setting when at last L APP
preached a broken-down sgnpost, on
which, in half obliterated characters, I
could read the words, ITO the Castle Inn"
I found myself now at the entrance of a
small lane which was evidently little fire.
quented. as it vas considerably grass
grown. From where I stood l could catch
no sight of any habtatiOn, but just at
that moment allow somewhat inconsequent
laugh fell upon my ears. I turned quickly
and saw pretty girl, with bright eyes
and a childish face, gazing at me with in
terest-> had little doubt that she was old
Bindloss's granddaughter.
"Will you kindly tell me- / asked. "if
this is the way to the Castle Inn?
made a bound forward. seized me by my
hand and tried to push me away from the
entrance to the lane into the highroad.
go away" she cried. I'VE have no beds
fit for gentlemen at the Castle Inn Go,
go" she continued. and she pointed up the
winding road. Her eyes were now blazing
in her head, but 1 noticed that her lips
trembled. and that very little would cause
her to burst into tears.
But 1 am tired and footsore," I an
swered. II should like to put up at the
Don't" she repeated they'll put you
into room with a ghost. Don't go tain t
a place for gentlemen" Here she burst, not
into tears. but into a fit of high, shrill all
one of her hands to her forehead, and turn
ing flew almost as fast the wind down
the narrow lane and out of sight.
/ followed her quickly. l did not believe
that the girl was quite mad she
seemed. but l had little doubt she had
something extraordinary weighing on her
mind.
At the next turn 1 came in view of the
inn. 1t was a queer-looking old place, and
l stopped Tor moment to look at it,
The house was built entirely of stone.
There We're two stories in the center part,
which was square and at the four corners