Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-29
CHAPTER V.-Continued.


HOLSTERS lead
Il have had several experiences with
ghosts l began. though l should not
like you TO think that | profess any spe-
cial genius for. the analysis of psychical
phenomena. But there was a house at
Shinnecock that reputed to be
haunted. The living room chimney be-
haved damnably. The house one of
Buffingtons. Burlington you know, was
quite capable of building a house and
emitting any stairway. We used to say
al the club that he ought to have spe-
cialized in fire-engine houses. where the
men don't stairways. but slide down
pole. Well the living-room chimney in
this particular house couldn't be made to
draw with a team of elephants. and it
had also the re-~tation of being haunted
Strange Fittings of the weirdest and most
distressing kind were often heard at
night. The owner gave up in despair and
moved out turning the house over to me.
After eliminating al, other possibilities.
decided that the piping Spook must be re-
lated to the disorder in the chimney. 1t
served two fireplaoes. and l proceeded to
knock the kinks out of it so it didn't tie
knots in plumb line as at first; but. be-
lieve me. when it stopped smoking 1t
still whistled. in the most fantastical
fashion. / was living in the house, with
only the servants about. and for week
gave my whole thought to this fiue- The
tried his hand at every sort of tune. from
Sally in Our Alley to the jewel song
in Faust. The whistling didn't begin
till nearly midnight and continued usually
for about an hour. 1 tried in every way
to lure him into the open, and 1 fell
downstairs one night / crept about in
the dark trying to trace the sound. And
to what palpable and mundane source do
Il frQ OIL
II never should guess murmured Ce
ella. unless it was merely the weird
whisting of the wind.
Nothing SO pOetical. I'm sorry to con-
fess- 1t was the butler, In his nightly
cups his soul inclined to music. and be-
ing timid soul. fearful of the cynical
tongues of the other servants. he crawled
into the ash dump in the cellar, which
communicated with the several fireplaces
above. and there INDUCED himself gently
upon the tureful reed The night 1 caught
him he was breathing the wild strains of
Brunhilde'S battle cry into the tube. and
il was cumbersome. i can tell you. 1
took it upon myself to discharge him on
the spot. and the grateful owner returned
the next day.
The presence of a ghost in this house
would give me the greatest pleasure" de-
clared Miss Hollister, who had listened
intently to my recital. Il should look
upon ghosts appearance at Hopefield
Manor as a great compliment If any
reputable, decent ghost should by any
chance take UP his residence in this house
/ should give him every encouragement"
Miss HOLSTER seemed to have forgotten
the proposed game of billiards. The
chimneyS lawleSs demonstration had in
fact, gwen new turn to the evening.
We discussed ghosts for half hour,
and then, without having enjoyed any OPP
portunity for a single private word with
Cecilia Virgins rose to leave. He shook
hands all around and bowed from the
door 1t was in my mind to follow, MAX
inc off, lit II
station of helping him find his car;
but nothing in his good night to me en-
cOuraged such attentions. and as / pom
dered. the outer door closed upon my ir
resolution.
At the stroke of 10 Miss HOLSTER rose
and excused herself. I'VE breakfast at 3,
Mr.. Ames. / trust the hour does rot con-
fiict with Your habits
/ assured her that the hour was wholly
agreeable. and she gave me her hand
with great dignity.
When 1 turned toward Cecilia she had
moved to a seat close by the hearth and
bed of glowing Goals.
1T was Odd,'' / remarked.
You mean the chimney
Yes. 1t was quite unaccountable. 1
confess that l never knew a chimney's
mood to change so abruptly
She sat silent for several minutes and
then she lifted her head and her eyes met
mine.
Pardon me. Mr.. Ames but did my
aunt ask you here to examine the Chin
neys? 1 didn't quite understand. We
have been here only a week: the weather
has been warm, and believe this fire had
not been lighted before today. You will
pardon my frankness, but l can't quite
understand why my aunt invited you
here if you came professionally.
thought when you appeared this after
noon that you were guest-nothing more
or less"
You had heard nothing Of any trouble
with the fireplaces? Then 1 am in the
dark as much as you. AS I understand
1t. l was called here 20 examine the fiues:
but now that 1 think of it she did not
say explicitly that her chimneys were be-
having badly. though that was. of course
implied l naturally assumed that she
summoned me here in my professional ca
paclty. l was a stranger to your aunt;
she would hardly have invited me other
She turned again to the fire as though
referring to it for counsel. Her perplexity
was no greater than my own 1t was GER
fanny an extraordinary experience to be
invited to strange house where nv Sery-
ices had not been needed, and to find
that an apparently sound chimney had
begun 10 smoke at once as though in
mockery OF my presence.
Il imagine. however. that Your aunt
acts good deal on impulse. Her asking
me here may have been only a whim'
Please don't imagine that your coming
has not been agreeable to me-" Cecilia
inviting stranger to the house She
met you. / believe. at the Asolando l
hope you understand that il Is only be-
cause i am in deep troubld, Mr. Ames
trouble of the gravest naturj that have
ventured to speak to you inf this way of
my aunt, for whora have oil respect and
Affection
She had never. I was sure been lovelier
than at this moment. Iier eyes filled
but she lifted her heaZ proudly What
ever the trouble migtI be, / was sorry for
II on her own account: and if 1t involved
Hartley Virgins my sympathy went out
TO him also. On an impulse 1 spoke of
him.
Il was surprised to meet Hartley Wig
gins here He's a dear friend of mine
YOU know. 1 thought he had gone to
his ranch. He left the Hare and Tortoise
very abruptly a few nights ago Just after
we had dined together. He must be stop
ping somewhere in the neighborhood
Its quite possible. And there's an inn.
YOU know. 1 fancy he drove over from
there"
L hadn't thought OF that the Prescott
Arms, | suppose you mean
She nodded. but she was clearly not in
terested In me, and when l found nv
self failing dismaly to divert her
and babe her goodnight.
The servant who had previously attend
ed me appeared promptly when 1 reached
my room. bearing a tray. with biscuits
and a bottle of ale. He gave me an en-