Evening star., 1898-12-17

You don't know what it's like, sir" said
George, catching him by the sleeve. "It
amt fit to look at by yourself, it amt, in
deed It's got the--whats that?"
They all started at the sound of a smoth-
cred cry from the staircase and the sound
OF somebody running hurriedy along the
door flew open and a figure bursting into
the room flung itself gasping and shivering
upon them.
What is it? What's the NATTER" de-
He shook him roughly. and then held some
spirit to his lips Hirst drank it greedfly,
and with a sharp intake of his breath
gripped him by the arm.
Light the gas, George" said Malcolm.
The waiter obeyed hastily. Hirst, lu-
dicrous, but pitiable, figure in knee breeches
and coat, large wig all awry, and his face
a mess OF green pant, chung to him trem-
bling.
Now, what's the matter?" asked NAL
colm
I've seen it," said Hirst. with hys-
terical Sob "Oh. Lord. III never play the
fool again-never!"
Seen what?' said the others.
Hirst wildly.
'hot!" said Malcolm, uneasily.
1T was coming down the stairs" said
Hirst. Just capering down-as L thought
1t ought to do. l felt a tap
He broke off suddenly and peered nerv-
ousiy through the open door into the pas
sage.
Il thought 1 saw it again." he whis-
pered. "Look-at the foot of the stairs
Can you see anything?'
No; there's nothing there" said NAL
colin. whose own voice shook little. Go
on. You felt tap on your shoulder"
Il turned around and saw it. A little
wicked head and a white dead face-pahr'
That's what 1 saw in the bar said
George. 'Horrid 1t was-devilish,'
Hirst shuddered, and, still retaining his
nervous grip of Malcoim's sleeve. dropped
into chair.
Well. it's a most unaccountable thing"
said the dumfounded Malcolm, turning
around to the others Its the last time
l come to this house,
i leave tomorrow" said George Il
Wouldnt go down to that bar again by my
self, no, not for t5O"
It's talking about the thing that's caused
1t. L expect" said one of the men. We've
all been talking about this and having it
in our minus. Practically we've been form
ing a spiritualistic circle without knowing
it,"
''D-n the old gentleman" said NAL
colin, heartily. Upon my soul. I'm half
AFRAID to go to bed. It's odd they should
both think they saw something
L saw II as plain as see you, SIR said
George, soemnly. 'Praps if you keep
your eyes turned up the passage you'll see
it for yourself"
They followed the direction of his finger
but saw nothing, although one of them
ner of the wall.
Who'll come down to the bar?" said
Malcolm, looking around.
You can go if you like said one of the
others, with a faint laugh. We'll wait
here for you"
The stout traveller walked toward the
door and took a few steps up the passage.
Then he stopped. All was quite silent, and
he walked slowly to the end and looked
down fearfully toward the glass partition
ha har inn he
made as though to go to it, then he turned
back, and, glancing over his shoulder, came
hurriedly back to the room.
Did you see it, sr?" whispered George.
Don't know said Malcolm, shortly. II
fancied 1 saw something, but it might have
been fancy. I'm in the mood to see any
thing just now. How are you feeling now,
sir?'
"Oh, feel a bit better now" said Hirst,
somewhat brusquely, as all eyes were
turned upon him. II dare say you think
m easily scared, but you didn't see it
Not at ALL" said Malcolm, smiling family,
I'm going to bed said Hirst, noticing
the smile and resenting it. "Will you
share my room with me, Somers?'
Il will with pleasure" said his friend,
provided you don't mind sleeping with
the gas on full all night
He rose from his seat, and, bidding the
company friendly good night, left the
room with his crestfallen friend. The
and, having heard their door close, re-
turned to the coffee room.
Well, | suppose the bets off, said the
stout commercial, poking the fire and
standing with his legs apart on the hearth
rug, though, as far | can see | won it.
| never saw man so scared in all my
life Sort of poetic justice about it, isn't
there?'
Never mind about poetry or justice"
said one of the listeners. Who's going to
sleep with me?'
Il will" said Malcolm, affably.
And | suppose we share room togeth-
er, Mr.. Leek, said the third man turnins
to the fourth.
No thank you," said the other, briskly
Il don't believe In ghosts. If anything
comes ONE; into my room I shall shoot it,
ihat wont hurt spirit, Leek,' said
Malcolm, decisively.
Well, the noise'll bs like company to
me- said Leek, and it'll wake the house.
loo. But, If you're nervous, SIR he added
with a grin to the man who had suggested
sharing his room. "GeorgeI be only too
pleased to sleep on the doormat inside your
room, know"
That l will, sir said George, fervent-
ly, and If you gentlemen would only come
down with me to the bar to put the gas out
L could never be sufficiently grateful
Come on, said Malcolm, taking a candle
from the fireplace and lighting it, "we'n
take this to come back with
They went out In a body with the excen-
ton of Leek, peerng carefully before them
as they went. The bar looked uninviting
enough in the light of one small Jet and the
billiard room with the table shrouded in
white holland looked so gruesome that NAL
colin hastily shut the door as they passed
1t. Then George turned the light out in the
bar and they returned unmolested to the
coffee room, and, avoiding the sardonic
smile of Leek, prepared to separate for the
night.
Give me the candle while you put the
gas out, George said the traveller
me waiter handed it to him and extin-
gulshed the gas and at the same moment all
heard a step in the passage out
side 1t stopped at the door, and as they
watched with bated breath the door creak-
ed and slowly opened. Malcolm, with the
candle extended, fell back open-mouthed as
white leering face with sunken eyebaIls
and closely cropped, bullet head appeared
at the opening. Leek, with a faint scream.
sprang from his chair and stood by the
others, breathing heavily.
For few seconds the creature stood re-
sardlng them, blinking in a strange fashion
at the candle. Then. with a siding move
nent, 1t came little way into the room
and stood there as If bewildered
Not man spoke or moved but all
with horrible fascination as the
creature removed its dirty neckcloth and
It's head rolled on its shoulder. For a min