Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1909-05-06

their door close. returned to the COT.
| fee-room.
"Well. suppose the bets ONT" said
the stout commercial. poklng the fire
and then standing with his legs apart
on the hearthrug: though, as far as !
can see. | won II. never saw a man
so scared In all my life. Sort OF
poetic justice about II. isn't there?"
Never mind about pcetry or JUS
tice." said one OF his listeners; who's
going 10 sleep with me?'
Il WILL" said Malcolm. affably.
And suppose We share a room to-
gether. Mr.. Leek?" said the third
man. turning to the fourth
NO. thank you," said the other.
briskly; Il don't believe In ghosts. II
anything comes into my room ] shall
shoot It,"
That won't hurt a spirit, Leck,"
said Malcolm. decisively.
We'll. the noise'll be like company
10 me-" said Leck. land It'll wake the
house. too. But II you're. nervous.
sir" he added. with grin, to the man
who had suggested sharing his room,
"George'll be only too pleased to
sleep on the door-mat inside your
room, know"
THAT will. sir" said George. fer
vently; land II you gentlemen would
only come down with me to the bar
to put the gas out l could never be
sufficiently grateful"
They went out in body, with the
exception of Leek, peering carefully
before them as they went. 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.
The waiter handed 1t 10 him and ex.
tinguished the gas, and at the same
moment all distinctly heard a step in
the passage outside. 1t stopped at
the door, and as they watched with
bated breath. the door creaked and
slowly opened. Malcolm fell back
open-mouthed, as white. leering
face, with sunken eyeballs and close
cropped bullet-head, appeared at the
opening.
For a few seconds the creature
stood regarding them, blinking In
strange fashion at the candle. Then,
with a siding movement, 1t came a
little way into the room and stood
there as II bewildered.
Not a man spoke or moved, but all
watched with horrible fascination
as the creature removed its dirty
neckcloth and its head rolled on It's
shoulder. For minute 1t paused and
then, holding the rag before 1t, moved
towards Malcolm.
The candle went out suddenly with
flash and a bang. There was
smell of powder, and something with
ing in the darkness on the floor. A
faint, choking cough, and then
silence. Malcolm was the first to
speak. Matches" he said, in
strange voice. George struck one.
Then he leaped at the gas and burn
er famed from the match. Malcolm
touched the thing on the floor with
his foot and found II soft. He looked
at his companions. They mouthed in
ouiries at him, but he shook his head.
He lit the candle, and, kneeling down.
examined the silent thing on the floor.
Then he rose swiftly, and dipping his
handkerchief in the Watering, bent
down again and grimly wiped the
white face. Then he sprang back with
a cry of incredulous horror, pointing
at II. Leek's pistol fell to the floor
and he shut out the sight with his
hands. but the others. crowding for
ward, gazed spell-bound at the dead
face of Hirst.
BEFORE q word was spoken the door
opened and Somers hastily entered
the room. His eyes fell on the floor.
Good Cod" he cried. You didn't"
Nobody spoke.
81 told him not to-" he said, In
suffocating voice. Il told him not to.
/ told him"
He leaned against the wall. deathly
sick, put his arms out feebly, and fell
into the travellers arms.
L-------- L.. a.. nrIick ~ I cau rnnra