Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-30
CHAPTER XIII.
The Voice Of Beelzebub.

1t was impossible to doubt Mr.. Nc
Cures seriousness and ] regarded him
with curiosity Could II be that the old
fellow was a bit unstrung mentally? But
no. Impossible that eyes so clear and
steady could mirror the fancies OF an un-
balanced brain. He had somehow been
tricked; or, perhaps. the case was one of
illusion. One hears Of instances OF spirit
manifestation. but does one ever verify
them?
Indeed" l exclaimed. "you interest
me. Will you be so good as to tell me
the details Of your experience?"
Willingly" Mr.. Mcclure responded,
promptly. Il have referred to it chiefly
in the hope that IT might be Of assist
ance to you" He hesitated and regard
ed me- momentarily with a questioning
gaze. But for the present. at least" he
continued. Il prefer that 1t should not
become village property. 1t was just a
week ago this evening that l paused by
the gate yonder. as / often do in my
walk, and looked beyond me to Overlook
The sun had been down for an hour, but
wonderful afterglow followed. and there
was still enough light In the sky to bring
out with distinctness the objects at the
crest OF the knoll. Suddenly, as I gazed,
the figure Of man became outlined
against the sky between the rustic bench
and the statue Of Niobe.''
Mr.. Mcclure paused and his fingers
moved as though the recollection of what
he had seen distressed him. but i'm a mo-
ment he resumed:
MY first thought. naturally, was that
II was some one connected with the place.
Horsford. perhaps: but directly / recog-
nized its resemblance toto Peter Som
hers. Its back was against the light. and
from where i stood its face was indis-
tinguishable. but the build and carriage
were unmistakable. Then. as l gazed, 1t
vanished. 1t did not move away. il did
not drop to the ground, SO far as I could
see. IL simply disappeared. l crossed the
road and went through the grove to the
house. thence about the grounds and to
the cottage, but not a person did / see
or a footstep hear. The following morn
ure had stood. but the grass was short
and even my own shoes left no marks
upon IT. so | gained nothing there. But,
Mr.. Bliss, the figure was not an illusion.
Phantom or man. it was real and indi-
vidual. and X II was not q 'materializa-
ton some one on earth has q wish to
give color to the sentiment against the
place"
Yes" said. Il agree with you"
And. declared Mr.. Mcclure. impress
sively, leaning toward me. ''in that case
we must apprehend the miscreant.'
Exactly"
Mr.. Mcclure settled back in his chair
with the pleased air of one who has COM
pleted a difilcult task satfsfac toriIy.
Il have been sorely distressed because
OF my experience" he explained. but
now am relieved. / have been at a loss
to decide whether ii il with the designing
living or with the supernatural that the
case should be classed. But as YOU are
now occupying Overlook you will investi-
gate. perhaps. more thoroughly than
could without exciting suspicion: and II
you need any assistance. Mr.. Bliss. re-
member that
"Oh. Grandpa McClure!" cried Dolly al
that moment. Mr.. Kilbourne is that ex-
traordinary man you used to tell me
about! oh. / know quite welI''-to Xii.
bourne-"that you recovered grandpa {
watch from an immigrant on the shin
who had stolen into the cabin and taken
1t. And I've heard Of the clever things