The Washington herald., 1915-10-24

cPon Srimsoys suggestion we 90
served great secrecy in the matter o
|: these dispositions. Even Coram'
small household was kept in ignoranc,
or this midnight watching.
Grimsby. following out some the.
DRY OF his own. now determined Il
dispense altogether with light in tn,
Greek room. Friday was intensely hot
and occasional ftful breezes brought
with them banks of black thunder.
J clouds. which. however. did not break
and up to the time that we assumed
our posts at the museum no rain hac
fallen.
u At about twelve o'clock looked
out into South Grafton Square anc
saw that the sky was entirely OBJ
scured by a heavy mass Of inky
clouds ominous of a gathering storm.
Returning to my chair beneath the
electric lamp. I took up a work OF
Mark Twain's which ! had brought
as likely antidote to melancholy or
nervousness. As I commenced to read
for the twentieth time, the Jumping
| frog, i heard the scratch of Grims-
bys match IN the next room. and
knew that he had lighted his fifth
cigar.
1t must have been about one o'clock
! when the rain came. heard the big
drops on the glass roof. followed by
i
For perhaps five minutes 1t rained
steadily. and then ceased as abruptly
as It had begun. Above the noise of
the water rushing down the metal
guttets I distinctly detected the
sound OF Grimsby striking another
match.
Then. with a mighty crash. came the
thunder.
Directly above the museum II SEEM
ed as though the very heavens had
burst, and the glass roof ratified as
II shower of stones had fallen. the
thunderous report echoing and re-
verbrating holloway through the
building.
As the lightning flashed with daz-
cling brilliance. I started from my
chair and stood. breathless. with every
sense on the alert. for, strangely in
termingling with the patter of the
rain that now commenced to fall
again. came a low wailing. like moth
ing so much as the voice OF a patient
succumbing to an anesthetic.
There was something indehnably
sweet. but indescribably weird in the
low and mysterious music.
Not knowing whence IL proceeded
stood undetermined what to do:
but Just as the thunder doomed aAfn
heard wild cry-undoubtedly pro-
ceeding from the Greek room. Spring
ing to the door. I threw It open.
All was in darkness, but as I en-
tered a vivid fash OF lightning illu-
minated the place.
saw a sight which can never for |
get Grimsby lay fiat upon the floor |
by the further door.
But, dreadful as that spectacle was, I
II scarcely engaged my attention: nor
did I waste a second glance upon the I
Athenean harp. which lay close be- !
side its empty case. .
For the figure OF a woman, draped |
in himsy white. was passing across /
the Greek room.
Grim fear took me by the throat
since I could not doubt that what I
saw was a supernatural manifesto
ton. Darkness followed. heard a
loud. wailing cry and a sound as Of
1 fall
Then Coram came running through
The Greek room.
Trembling violently. Joined him.
md together we stood looking down
1t Grimsby.
Good God" whispered Coram. this
s awful! It cannot be the work of
mortal hands! Poor Grimsby is
lead"
Did you-see-the woman" I NUT
cred. I will confess IT: my courage
lad completely deserted me.
He shook his head. but. as Beale
anne running to Join US. glanced fear
ully into the shadows OF the Greek
Dom.
The storm seemed to have passed,
md as We three frightened men stood
round Grimsby's recumbent body we
,ould almost hear the beating OF
ach others hearts.
Suddenly. giving a great start. Co.
am clutched my arm. "Listen!' he ,
aid. What's that"
1 held my breath and listened. TITS
he thunder in the distance" said
seale.
You are wrong" I answered. Tt J
5 some one knocking at the hall
ntrance! There goes the bell. now"'
Coram gave a sigh of relief.
Heavens" he said I've no nerves I
Eft! Come on and see who It is"
The three Of US. keeping very close
ogether, passed quickly through the
reek room and down into the hall.
S the ringing continued, Coram un-
olted the door. and there. on the X
teps. stood Morris KlawI
Some vague idea OF his mission I
ashed through my mind
You are too later cried. "Grims- d
y has gone"
saw a look of something like an
er pass over his large. pale features. Il
nd then he had darted past US and L
anished up the stairs. s.
Having rebolted the door. we re- e,
lined Morris Klaw in the Greek room. n
e was kneeling beside Grimsby in "
lie dim light. and Grimsby, his face
hastily pale. was sitting up and 81
mixing from a flask. O,
II am in time" said Morris Klaw.
he has only tainted" O,
TT was the ghost" whispered the
an from Scotland Yard Ny God, x
m prepared for anything humanz "s
1t when the lightning came and
w that white thing-playing the K
Irp- ~
Coram turned aside and was about al
pick UP the harp which lay upon rr
e floor near. when .,
AID" cried Morris Klaw. DO not Ar
UGH it, It is DEATH III
coram started back as though he w