The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-06-14

less; then passed from coma into
deIirium. fIe raved of his dead wife
who had secretly appeared to him at
the ball as ghost from the grave,
with a deaths head and bony hands.
Doctor Martin. unaware Of the ex-
citing scene through which his pa
tient had passed. looked upon this
simply as the result OF fever, pro-
Educed by some shock to the nervous
system regarding which he was en-
/ tirely in the dark.
The next day q remarkable story,
evidently emanating from the saloon
of man named Perrin. which coach
men were in the habit Of frequent
/ ing, spi I'd through the city.
John ana Peter had driven from
I the cemetery TO the place mention-
ed, and frightened as they were
found IL fmpossible. despite the large
fee they had received. to refrain
from relating that they had driven
! a ghost "a woman robed in black
with a deaths face from the ceme-
4 terry to the ballroom. and after an
hour or two had conveyed her back.
when, standing before grave she
I had removed a black mask and re-
vealed deaths head all of which
had been plainly and Enthusiastically
seen in the clear moonlight.
The police we're notified, and Doc
tor Martin put himself in communi-
cation with them, informing the SUI
perintendent of Mr.. st. Aignan's raw
ings
The two coachmen were examined
| The positiveness and accuracy with
which they related the circumstances
admitted no doubt of their sincerity.
They made no conflicting statements,
and weYe unquestionably recounting
only what had really transpired.
Doctor Martin, the chief Of police.
and several other officials accompa
MED John and Peter to the GENE
terry, where the coachmen pointed
out the grave from whence they sail
the ghost had appeared. It was thai
of Hortense st. Afghan.
While discussing the matter they
noticed pretty little dog running
around.
THAT was the pet dog of Mrs
st. Afghan, said Doctor Martin. |
THE little animal knows that his {
kind mistress lies buried here. Be
fore Mr.. st. Afghan became engaged 1
the second time he was in the habit /
of coming here daily, and Bijou was
always his companion. Bometimesi
now the poor little fellow comes
alone, and even spends entire nights
sleeping on the grave OF his be-
loved mistress "
Recognizing the doctor. IN re-
Spouse to his low whistle and calls
of Bijou, Bilou,'' the little dog ran
up, wagging his tail and bringing in
his mouth dirty black rag. which
to judge by the remnant of trim
ming on it was torn from woman's
dress. Supposing the piece of black
cloth to be only a scrap that Bijou
had picked up in his play, Doctor
Martin paid no attention to it: but
the detectives and superintendent of
police, always on the alert for clues.
Immediately stepped forward and
took it from the dogs mouth.
The Following day some boys who
were playing behind the cemetery
in a narrow path that lay Just be-
yond the wall found a crumpled
deaths head mask OF white silk, and
a skeleton hand skilfully carved
from wood. 1t was reasonable to
suppose that these articles had some
thing to do with the ghost story.
But for what purpose had the num-
merry been perpetrated when such
serious consequences might results
The matter had evidently been car
ried too far for q joke. Detectives
and police. as well as Doctor Martin.
were busy seeking to solve the nays
terry.
During the forenoon of the third
day, as Doctor Martin was leaving
the residence of his patient, Doctor
the hospital physician.
met him, and said.-
II was just coming for you. VIII
you kindly accompany me to the hos
pital? Some people found in the
outskirts of the city woman who
an hour ago was brought in she is
no doubt connected with this affair
of Mr. st. Aignan's. The woman is
delirious, constantly raving about
the cemetery, and imagines herself
being pulled into a grave by some
ghostly hand?"
Both FASTENED to the hospital,
where they found the sick woman.
stop pulling at my dress!" she
shrieked. DO you want to drag me
down into that horrible place? beg
you. Hortense st. Afghan, spare me!
oh, spare me! will not do it
again. Oh, that accursed man!
Why did he tempt me? Why did he
tempt me?"
Il think | understand the whole
natter, whispered Doctor Martin.
This poor woman was the tool used
in that wretched intrigue think