Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-30
CHAPTER XII.-Continued.

Perhaps he is the originator OF thu
sentiment against Overlook that appear
| to have taken root in the village" h
| said. thoughtfully. Doubtless you hav,
observed 1t. Only yesterday the man wht
assists my out-of-doors man gravely in
formed me that the place was haunted
Did he say by WHAT
by the spirit OF Mr.. Somhers."
I'm. That is farther than Horsfort
went. He implied that there is 'rea
ghost but IL was to the atmosphere o.
mystery and danger that he referred.
dare say this man OF yours has seen the
ghost.'
Mr. Mcclure shook his head more sol
EMMY than the occasion appeared to war
rant.
What he had TO tell was merely hear
say. Some boys. including one OF hi:
own. ventured on q twilight game OF
'hide-and-seek' on the lawn of Overlook
and at one OF their contingent periods
when they were assembled, they distinct
~ saw the figure Of Mr.. Somhers ap-
preaching them"
III warrant they didn't walt for him
to reach them.' / smiled.
Mr.. Mcclure did not respond to my
mood. He continued as IL he had not
heard me.
And a few weeks ago a story was CO.
ing the rounds that on several occasions
q light was seen shining from the win
dows Of the library in the dead Of night"
THE shutters OF the windows were
closed and locked on the morning Of my
arrival"
They were closed. also. on the NOR
ings following those occasions. as they
had been on the evenings preceding them
so say the tale-mongers."
Are such stories generally credited In
the village?"
Mr. Mcclure gazed before him with
curiously distracted eyes. But he heard
me. for presently he answered with a
smile:
THAT is difficult to say. Mr.. Somhers'
death was practically the first tragedy
in the history of the village. and 1t shook
1t to its foundations. Since then Over
look has been regarded by many as a
place Of evil habitation. Indeed. 1t Is
natural. is II not. since the latent belief
In the supernatural which is In all of US
has been reused in Winton. that the
more credulous. especially those who be-
lieved in Harry's innocence. should credit
the rumors that Mr.. Somhers has re-
turned in spirit to avenge his untimely
end?"
Il seem to have come unknowingly to
q veritable palace of mysteries said.
Nevertheless, I fear that from that
standpoint you will be disillusioned.
smiled Mr.. Mcclure. Take away all
knowledge OF its history and II must be-
come one OF the most delightful country
places in New England. But this believe.
Mr.. Bliss: II the dead have the power
to return to avenge their deaths where
Arrangement is needed. to comfort those
who mourn for them, or to help the Nv
ing. Peter Somhers would come and set
free that poor, sensitive lad. who Is still
bound by the chains of circumstance. He
would hound the guilty to confession and
bring restitution and comfort to those
who have been wronged through his
death. For that was his creed. Mr.. Bliss.
endurance 10 the limit, then-the old law.
an eye for an eye, q tooth for q TOOTH "
He paused and for q moment seemed lost
in thought. There are. indeed, more
things in heaven and upon earth than
our philosophy dreams Off, he continued.
slowly. 1T may be that a return Is pos
sible. in the semblance of the earth
form even. What proof have We that
has come into possession of powers that
permit him to avenge his death?"
Mr.. Mcclure paused, as II conscious
that he had been speaking more to him.
self than to me. A deep fire glowed in
his eyes as he turned them steadily to
mine.
I'm presenting theories not accepted by
popular thought / am. 1 know. Mr.. Bliss,
endangering my reputation for conserva-
have INDUCED in speculation OF this ma
ture. hut l have had an experience that
sent my thoughts in channels quite out
OF their usual run. Wild as the state
ment may sound to you. II is a fact that
I, too. this summer. nearly two Years
after his death. have seen the spirit OF
my old friend. Peter Somhers!"