The Caucasian., 1913-10-12

"Wait a moment, Gaines" be said
laughingly. Mrs. Shirley insists that
l discourage your intention Of taking
the Blthen place by telling you that
1t is haunted"
"Haunted?" repeated the artist,
wheeling about and facing them.
Haunted, do you say? Please tell
NE about it.
There isn't much to tell except that
tenant in the place for the last six
years One and all declare it to be
haunted Sounds absurd--eh? q
"Interestng-rat sharply amend
ed Gaines Who is the ghoSt?"
1T is said to be the uneasy spirit of
q dead Chinese cook. who once work
ed for old James Blithen. Tenants
claim they have been aroused at night
by noises in the cellar and kitchen Of
tie house, ana when they have inves-
tigated each and every one reported
seeing the thin. omaciatpd form of the
dead cook. and hearing his shriII
screecheS as he ran to and fro in
search Of some buried money. which
rumor declares old Blithen stole from
him. That's all.' finished Dick with a
laugh 4 hope YOU are not frightened
away from your bargain|'
Not in the least" said Gaines
quickly. "Thanl you for the informa-
ton--it will interest my friends rs
we'll rs it has myself"
Anne Shirley broke in eagerly.
"Dick forgot to tell you about the
queer Chinese ornament that one ten
ant found the morning after he had
seen the ghost. ana how each one de
scribed the strange oriental fragrance
that permeated the place afterward.
And once they discovered the prints Of
Chinese shoes in the soft mud outside
the door
'ThHnk you, Mrs Shirley" said
Gaines flashing on her his rare smile.
"Now. ! will occupy the house with
some degree Of satisfaction Blithen
house certainly possesses interest for
me-
and you are not alarmed at thought
of the ghoSt:" asked Anne
Not III the least, | am looking for
ward to my stay there with great in
tereSt'
After Mr. Gaines had departed Dick
Shirley faced his wife.
Il wonder if should have told him
that one of the tenants was found
murdered in the cellar and that in his
clinched hand was found u tuft Of
Chinese hair?'
Anne shuddered.
You better tell him in the morning,
dear Then he will be taking the place
with open eyes"
Two weeks later Anthony Gaines
quietly took possession of the Blithen
house. A few days afterward five
young men laden with artists para
phernalia arrived and with little com
motion took up their residence with
the new tenant.
Every morning the six painters
would set forth with painting kits and
might have been observed painting in
dustriously in some Of the beautiful
spots about Bodolph.
They retired early, and from the re-
ports of the French Canadian who
came up from Bodolph each day to
cook for them they were u quiet, well
behaved company, who arose early.
retired early and drank not at all.
If Pierre. the cook. had remained
Of ir-hff f,1l to irj,f hn1 a
strange stories to relate Of the new
tenant and his guests
The house had been newly curtained
from top to bottom, and on one night
in particular Anthony Gaines drew
every window shade closely and, ex
tinguishing all lamps. drew forth an
electric torch.
The strong ray of white light pierced
the gloom Of the dining room and
searched out the faces Of his FIVE
guests
These were not the faces of dream
ers. They were keen. resolute. coura-
geous faces, and they one and all eyed
their leader, Gaines. as he spoke.
Ready boys?" he asked quietly
Ready" cwas their unanimous re
sponse.
Come on, then" he ordered, and
they fell into line and followed him
single file out of the room, through the
long hall and down a fight of steep
stairs that led to the cellars of the old
house.
They were shOd in rubber soled
shoes. and their feet made no sound |
The single ray OF white light cut tie |
dense bIackness ahead.
When they reached the cellars !
Gaines turned to his companions.
They cannot be long in coming
now" he said in a low tone We /,
must find the second keyhole and So
them"
Your information is straight, them"
asked a man named Lawlor
Straight rs d string was the re
ply. Anderson wired me in cipher I
thaC an attempt might be made to .
half dozen Chinese aoroSs
the border tonight"