Year: 1870

lar window, and it CHANGED, at this time of
day, the sunlight fell through it, and rested
on the earth behind the step, and there it
revealed an object which at once attracted
my attention 1t was nothing more nor less
than tin basin half-full of newly-mixed
red-paint!


In moment light flashed upon my mind,
and sprang up the stairs two at a time,
and rushed straight for the blood-stain,
where l knelt down and drew my hand
across it, an act which would not have
done ten minutes before. raised my hand,
and saw that it was stained by some red
substance. 1t was not the gore of the mur-
dered man that lay thereon but red-paint,
like that in the basin below stairs.


In a moment the trick was all plain to
me. Ghosts would have no need of this
DEVICE but human beings might. When
ever the old stain was repainted, then some
sort of band assembled there, who, for
reasons of their own, cid not care to have
company, or too much light thrown upon
their proceedings hence this device of
theirs which proved so efficacious.


I was not long in making up my mind to
solve this mystery, which had puzzled the
good people of Wicklow so long. Iwould
pass the night there and see what it brought
forth


A glance at my watch showed me that it
was nearly twelve, and that Toms mother
would soon have dinner in readiness, for
the good woman would have considered it
almost the objectionable sin if the noon
tide repast was not ready when the "sun
was square in the window" as she always
went by that when it was fair.


When got back, minus game, the good
woman rallied me somewhat on my want of
luck and then told her of my visit to the
haunted house, but not of the discoveries
had made there. This part kept to my
SELF as did /, also, the determination had
formed of spending the night there. When
at sunset impaired this information to her,
the good woman received it almost with af-
fright, and begged me not to do it, but l
answered her that my mind was fully
made up on this point, and begged her not
to impart my intentions to any one, unless
it was Tom, should he return This she
promised, and as soon as the sun went
down set out upon my self-imposed task.


When | arrived at the deserted house, |
found everything quiet, and as had left
a 1o l. 7 I
self away in a small closet opening there
from, the door of which l left open q little
way, so that could command view of the
door by which | had entered, and also of
that which led to the cellar beneath. Thus
ensconced, waited, with what patience /
could, for any developement. which might
take place.


Slowly the minutes dragged themselves
along, An hour went by, and still all was
as silent as death. Another hour was well
told, and then began to grow impatient.
would those for whom 1 was looking never
come? At last l heard football outside
the door Instinctively l placed my hand
upon the revolver l carried in my pocket
Would | have occasion to use it?


The footstep sounded closer, and at last
it was on the threshold. The door was
pushed open, and football sounded in the
entry Then came another, and / was
aware that two men were standing in the
room. rG


Iheard them moving along the floor and
then the scratching of match. 1t gave a
promise of burning, and then went out and
an impatient voice exclaimed tu-.


"D-n the match. Give me another one,
Jim, this is gone out"


The voice sounded familiar, Surely
had heard it since | had coue to Wicklow
but where, could not hiring to mind,


The next match did its duty, and com.
municated its blaze to the candle which one
of the men held, and in little time it wa.
burning clearly diffusing a bright light
about the room. 1t revealed the faces O