Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

SOC1able man, and solitude suits me best
GAS you please. Goodnight" and the
ger went his way.
7 ASCELLES and Hunstable walked off to-
- gether. Their station too near to make
it worth while to take cab in that black
downpour, and they proceeded under glstening
umbrellas.
"What were YOU driving at just now with old
Marky?" asked Hunstabe curously.
Lascelles chuckled. "Come in here said he.
"I've something to tell YOU"
They entered cafe they the habit
of frequenting and ensconced themselves at
little corner table.
al suppose you don't happen to believe; in
ghosts said LascelleS qulzZcaly when they
supplied with steaing turnbers Because Marky
has got one in his rooms
What do you mean" asked Hunstabe, leaning back
with cOntented SIGH This OF LaSCeleS funny
yarns, doubt.
"I' tell you. Old Mother Isaacs who scrubs up the
offices once week. happened to stay rather late last
Saturday. andwell suppose she took rather too many
sips at that bottle of hers that she fell asleep
dark corner. Marky must have thought she had gone
and he locked up all usual When the old girl
woke up and found herself prisoner she wandered up
stairs to rout out old Markham. He playing the
piano. You know he is bit of an ivory thumper;
Mother Isaacs knocked; but received reply. Then
she peeped through the kcyhole and nearly had fit
for what do you think she saw"
Goodness knows!' said Hunstabe. "Pink rats,
maybe
@Why, glow of white light, and in the midst of it
girl-a girl, mind you!-casping her hands though
pleading Tor something Mother lSaaCS cO1ldn near
any voice. but she stared the girl dropped on her
knees stretched out her ar1ns-and vanished. With
the same the piano stopped and old Markham cried
out, Yes-yes forgive, forgive or something like
that voice that made Mother saacs blood curdle
up as she put it.
Hunstable stared at the narrator with slow grin
breaking his fat face. "Piffle' his comment.
"You're making up this yarn.
Il swear IN not! returned the other earnestly. "But
wait bit: haven't finished. When old Mother
Isaacs could pull herself together she knocked again.
Who's there cried out Marky Mother Isaacs
planned and he opened the door wide that she could
see the whole of the ROOM
"Welll"
Markham alone" said Lascelles impressvey.
Hunstable grunted. "Of course he was!"
Lasceles nodded. "You think Mother Isaacs
point. But she told young Ribstone down in the pack
ing room. He is sort of nephew of hers and having
his nut full of detective yarns must get the job him.
self He managed to hide himself the following night,
and he and heard the whole business again
before he crawed out through the cellar window with
his heart in his mouth. Now concluded Lascees
soemnly, zone person may see ghost, and it may
anything nothing; but when persons see
pears to that it than gin Indigestion
Him. said Hunstable meditatively. "Well, you
don't believe it's ghost?'
"Of course not" replied Lascees scornfulv. "But
here's another queer thing Young Ribstone up
courage enough watch outside all through the night,
and he is certain that left the place up to nine
O'Clock the next morning Now, you know there is
way out from Markham's rooms except through the
offices, and yet when Mother Isaacs called round
some and searched Marky's the quiet
she drew blank.
Great Scott exclaimed Hunstable. "Sort of Van
ishing Lady business Well what do you make of it,"
There is only one explanation" replied Lascelles
complacently,- hiding place. The building
old any in the city,-dates from the Big Fire-and
swell residence
"What go7 exclaimed Hunstable @Old Marky