Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-12-05

1 smut IL, DOTTED II ana got into Deu
again, but an unpleasant haunting SEN
sation as of some intangible presence
kept me long awake II | had had any
belief in spiritualsm | should have
felt sure that some spirit from the un-
seen world was still lowering about
my pillow
] took care to say nothing about my
experience of the night when appear
ed in the saloon on the following morn
ing On the one hand had no wish to
go through the persecution, mild as it
was, to which Netley had been subject
ed ever since he told his story. And
on the other hand, had regainod all
my courage with the morning light,
together with a very strong determi
nation not TO be done" and to find
out who it was that had made the
strange intrusion, | did. indeed, from
time to time, ask myself whether it
might not have been a hallucination
on my part; but | always put this idea
from me in the end. | had never been
the victim Of an excitable imagination
everybody had always told me
hadn't imagination enough-so
thought ] might dismiss tina possibility
from my reckoning.
| was early in the saloon for break
fast. for had had less sleep than usu-
al. Dick Million, who was generally
at breakfast before me had not APP
peared when sat down. When he did
enter the saloon, | was at once struck
by the fact that he looked about him
and that his eyes did not rest until
they lighted on me Then he changed
coer as met his look, and, to my sur
prise, came straight up to me and ask
ed me how | was.
Now | know he disliked me: indeed.
in this very act of coming up to me
there was something furtive and diff
fident, something Of assumed boldness
and good will that did not deceive me
for a moment.
And when, later in the morning, he
followed me into the smoking room
and deliberately sat down near me and
drew me into conversation, he did it
so clumsily that | could not but per-
ceive he must have some hidden mo-
tive for this assumption of a friendli-
ness which | could not believe to be
genuine
| don't know what | suspected; /
could not have put my thoughts into
words; young Mullion ] assuredly did
cot suspect either of wish to murder
or to rob me. But none the less ! did
connect him in a vague and stupid way
with my weird adventure of the pre-
vious night, the more SO as | presently
found that. In circuitous and round
about manner. he was trying to turn
the conversation to night adventures
and to Netley's story.
Then ! turned upon him point blank
What do you mean?' | asked short
ly. 20 you believe somebody got into
my cabin while Netley was there, or
don't you?"
ITS a curious tale" said Mullion
eyasively.
Very said | cryly; "and one we
are not likely to hear again, should
think"
And then suddenly. as / looked him
full in the face, and tried TO meet his
eyes a new thought shot into my
mind
What If 1t was the adventure OF
sleep walker?' said quickly. do
you happen to know whether there's
any fellow on board who walks ia bic
Sleep"
I could not toll FROM the way no took
tho suggestion, whether il was new
thought to him or not But he did not
ium-aiatelv answer. and he was GER
taluly turning my queetion over IN his
mind. to decide what IT night be best
20 say.
perhaps You wax in your sleep
yourself?' | suggested rather sharply
mo, | don't" said he, in t..c same
tone, as he got up aad turned, as II to
walk away.
But he changed his mind almost at
nee. and. coming back 10 me stood a
few moments. playing with pencil
case. with his eyes down Then he
said. in very subAued tone:
III there 10 anybody on board who
walks in his sleep. we are pretty sure
to cave some more adventures | sup
pose
II was such an odd remark to make
that ! locked at him with scrutiny
that made him turn his head away IN
comfortably
More" echoed sarcastically
more, did you say ! thought you
didn't believe IN Netlcy So
HE Seems 10 believe in il himself
said young Mullion still with that air
of blunt. honest fellow trying TO be
artful and cautious which ] had no
ticed in him already that morning AT
any rate. IL it's possible that there's
poor chap among Us addicted TO som
nambulism there must be no talk OF
trying to shoot him
And be suddenly looked full In my
face in an earnest and even solemn
manner.
| was intensely puzzled But at the
same time ! discarded the idea ~ the
adventures we had passed through be-
Ing the work Of a sleep-walker. For
there is. after all, nothing shameful
about the habit, and there is no reason
why there should be any secrecy about
the fact. If Mullion or any one he
knew Of were addicted TO it, On the
contrary. the more widely the fact were
to be known, the better it would be for
the patient himself, since such habit
could not but be, especially on board
ship. a source Of the gravegt danger to
himself as well as TO other people.
SO | iacgy ed a little and said boldly:
III you really do know or suspect.