A candle was given to each of the four women, and Norma politely selected the oldest and most broken holder.
Land sake! exclaimed Stebbins, coming in, you goin to use that candlestick? Thats the very one the murderin woman used!
With a scream, Norma dropped it and no one moved to pick it up.
Get out, Stebbins! roared Landon, you queer the whole business.
Ill take this one, and Mr. Bruce picked up the old brass affair; Im not afraid of such things. Here, Miss Cameron, take mine, its new and commonplace, I assure you.
White-faced and trembling, Norma took the cheap crockery thing, and shortly they all followed Hester up the stairs to the shadows of the floor above.
The place was silent as the grave. Hesters slippered feet made no sound, and a voluntary scraping of Tracys shoes stopped as soon as he realized its enormous sound in those empty halls. A multitude of doors led to rooms in all directions, there seemed to be no plan or symmetry of any sort. The candle flames flickered, the small lamps burned with a pale sickly light.
Hester paused midway of the main corridor.
What rooms you want? she asked, uninterestedly.
Give me a cheerful one, wailed Milly. Oh, Wynne, let us take a little, cozy one.
Of course you shall, said Braye, kindly. Hester, which is the pleasantest room in the house? Give that to Mr. and Mrs. Landon! And then well put all you girls near them. The rest of us will camp anywhere.
Lets all pretty much camp anywhere till to-morrow, suggested the Professor. Id like to select my room by daylight.
Ive made up some of the rooms, and some I aint, volunteered Hester.
Then, for Heavens sake, show us the made-up rooms, and get out! burst forth Landon. I wish wed brought our maids, Milly; that woman affects me like fever and ague.
But after a time they were assigned to various more or less inhabitable bedrooms, and as quickly as possible, all reappeared in the great hall below, ready for supper.
The dining room, toward the back of the house, was not half bad, after all the available lights had been commandeered for the table.
You knew there were no electrics, said Braye to Eve, who was bewailing the fact.
Of course I did, and I thought candles would be lovely and picturesque and all that; and kerosene gives a good soft light, but well, somehow, do you know what I thought as we came through that dreadful wood?
What?
Only one sentence rang through my mind, and that was, The Powers of Darkness!
That isnt a sentence, objected the Professor, a little querulously, and everybody laughed. Also, everybody blessed the occasion for laughter.
But Eve went on. I dont care if its a sentence or a syllogism, or what it is! It just rang in my ears. And I tell you this whole place is under the Powers of Darkness
Do hush, Eve, pleaded Milly. I was just beginning to pull myself together, and now youve upset me again!
But Milly,
Let up, Eve! For the love of Mike, let up! Youre enough to give anybody the creeps. Landon glared at her.
Its only a question of light, Tracy broke in, in his pleasant way. Now, weve light enough for the moment, and to-morrow well make this the house of a thousand candles and a hundred lamps, and a few lanterns if you like. Incidentally, Friend Hester makes first-rate doughnuts.
Arent they bully! chimed in Vernie. Ive eaten six, and here goes for another.
Lucky theyre small, said her uncle. But seven doughnuts are enough to make you see the ghost of old Montgomery himself!
And all the Green Mountain boys, added Tracy, who was determined to keep conversation away from fearsome subjects.
By the time they had finished the meal, every one felt more at ease, Landon had recovered his poise, and Milly her cheerfulness.
Now, then, the Professor asked, as they left the table, shall we explore the house to-night
Lord, no! cried Braye. Leave it lay till daylight. Also, dont quiz old Stebbins as to whos who in Black Aspens! Lets turn on the Victrola and dance, or lets play poker or sing glees, or anything thats a proper parlour trick. But nothing, I insist, pertaining to our mission up here. Thatll keep.
As you like, and now Landon could smile. And you mollycoddles may pursue those light-minded pleasures. But Im going to have it out with Steb, because I want to know some several Laws for Beginners. But, dont let me interfere with your plans. Go ahead, and have play Hide and Seek All Over the House, if you choose. That used to be my favourite indoor game.
Oh! squealed Vernie, what an awful suggestion! In this house!
I move we hear the story of the house to-night. right now, said Eve.
Milly clasped her hands over her ears, instead of, as usual, over her mouth, and cried, No! I forbid it! Dont let em, will you, Wynne?
Seems to me, remarked Mr. Stebbins, you folks dont know your own minds! You want a hanted house, then when you git it, youre too scared to hear the story of the hant.
Im not scared, asserted Norma, but somehow, a hant sounds so much worse than a haunt. Doesnt it, now?
It sure does, agreed Braye. A hant is concrete, while a haunt is abstract.
Good! and Hardwick nodded approval. Now, I suggest that we look around a bit, get the general lay of the house and then all go to bed early. A good nights sleep will put our nerves and muscles in condition again. Im delighted with the place, and I foresee a first-class vacation ahead of us.
I wish it was behind us, and we were just starting for home, murmured Milly, but Eve reprimanded her.
Dont be a spoilsport! I like the place too, Professor, and Im going to investigate a little. What room is this?
Eves graceful figure crossed the great square hall, where they were all standing about, and paused at the closed door of a room just at the right hand as one entered the house.
Why, its locked! she exclaimed. That wont do, Mr. Stebbins! This whole domain is ours, now, you know. Open this door, please.
Eve wore the light gray skirt of her travelling costume, and a thin sheer white silk blouse, whose Vd neck fell away from her long, slender throat. Her hand on the door knob, she suddenly turned her strange beryl eyes toward Stebbins, her face turning whiter and her thin lips redder as she gazed.
This is the room isnt it? she breathed, and her hand slowly fell from the knob and hung loosely at her side.
Yes, maam, replied Stebbins, stolidly. Howd you know?
How could I help knowing! and Eves voice rang out like a clarion. I see it! I see it all!
She rushed across the hall and fell trembling on a settee. Tracy flew to her side, and took her hand.
There, there, Miss Carnforth, brace up! Were all right here. Nothing can hurt you.
Beats all how she knew! muttered Stebbins. You see thats the room
A cry from Milly stirred Landon to action.
Drop it, Stebbins, he said, and took a step toward him. None of that to-night. We do want your haunted house, but the long journey up here, and your confounded negligence in the matter of lights and servants and general good will, has got on the ladies nerves. Beat it now, to the kitchen, or wherever your quarters are, but you stay here to-night and be ready to report in the morning. You hear me?
Yes, sir, and shrugging his shoulders, the man disappeared among the shadows in the back of the hall.
The great main hall was so large that the lights they had were all insufficient for illumination. There seemed to be innumerable doors and openings of side corridors, also a second staircase, far behind the main one.
Heres a good-looking room, lets go in here, said Tracy, stepping through some old, faded draperies to the room on the left of the hall as one entered the house.
Hardwick followed, and the others with lamps and candles pushed in. It was a large, dignified apartment, evidently a parlour or ballroom of the old mansion. The furniture was of old, carved rosewood, its upholstery worn, but fairly decent. Oil portraits were on the walls and massive ornaments of imitation bronze stood about, showing white here and there where the coating was chipped off.
Yellowish onyx vases graced the mantels, and the windows were hung with heavy rep curtains which, however, veiled no lighter ones.
Ghastly! cried Norma.
What do you mean by ghastly? began the Professor, and Tracy laughed.
She didnt mean it at all, Professor, he said, Miss Cameron meant to say hideous. Now, dont ask me what I mean by hideous, just look at the interior decorations here and draw your own conclusions as to my meaning. But though not to be called æsthetic, this furniture is fairly comfy. The springs of this sofa are intact, come sit by my side, little darling. This last to Vernie, who was wide-eyed and alert, lapping up these strange, new impressions.
All right, and she flung herself down beside him. Youre a real comfort, Mr. Tracy, youre so, so unministerial!
Thank you, my child. One neednt carry ones pulpit voice into social life.
Oh, I dont mean you do or say anything that a man of your calling oughtnt to, but youre so nice about it.
I think so too, chattered Milly, I do think a clergyman with a sense of humour makes a fine combination.
The mental atmosphere gradually lightened and when Landon suggested they all retire, it was a composed and merry hearted group that obeyed the summons.
When twelve sonorous strokes boomed from the tall clock in the upper hall, the men beneath the roof of Black Aspens were all sleeping more or less soundly.
Milly, with only occasional little quivering shudders, slumbered in Landons arms. Vernie slept with the sound dreamless sleep of youth.
But Eve and Norma were wide awake, and unable to close their eyes.
In adjoining rooms, the communicating door ajar, they could hear one another toss restlessly, but they said no words.
Normas blue eyes were wide open, her thoughts rambling over the strange surroundings in which she found herself, and her mind leaping forward, speculating on what might happen.
Eve, her long, glittering eyes half closed, listened for any sound; her nerves alert, her thoughts darting from material things to the supernatural, every muscle tense with a nameless apprehension.
More hours were rung out by the old clock, and at last dawn began to creep in at the deep narrow windows of the old house.
With a shrug and a stretch Vernie awoke. Drowsily, in the half light she tried to make out her surroundings, and then, suddenly remembering where she was, she dove her head under her blanket, in a quick rush of fear. Then curiosity conquered, and she came to the surface again, and looked about. The light, growing gradually stronger, showed the appointments of the room, the ugly old four-poster bedstead, of light wood, apple or hickory, the heavy rep lambrequins, that seemed to be a feature of the house, and the scantily appointed dresser, on which, the night before, she had set her extinguished candle.
Shadows still lurked in the corners of the room, still hung round the draperies and furniture, yet through the gloom Vernie saw something that made her eyes stare and her flesh creep. Clenching her hands till her sharp nails bit into her palms, she gave a shriek that rang through the silent house.
CHAPTER IV
The Story of the House
From their nearby rooms Eve and Norma rushed to Vernies room.
The child was huddled beneath the bed clothes and at their entrance shot her head out, crying wildly, Look! look! the old candlestick!
Milly came running, in dressing-gown and slippers, and from distant regions came the voices of the men.
Whats the matter? asked Gifford Bruce. Wasnt that Vernies voice?
Yes, Uncle Gif, Vernie called out. Oh, did you do it?
Do what? and in his hastily donned bath robe, old Mr. Bruce appeared.
Why, and Vernie was calm now, theres that old candlestick, the one the the murderer used on my dresser! Last night I had a little china one!
What are you talking about a murderer! Wake up, child!
Im not asleep. But I see, now. You had this old one, Uncle Gif, and, you know you said you were going to fool us if you could, and so you sneaked it in here to pretend the haunt did it!
What! What nonsense! I did nothing of the sort!
Who did, then? You know you had this one last night.
I certainly did. Wonder whats in my room now.
Mr. Bruce ran back to his room and returned with the little china candlestick Vernie had carried to her room the night before. They had certainly been exchanged during the night.
Everybody stared at the two candles, so worthless in themselves, but so inexplicably transferred, if, as he declared, Gifford Bruce had not exchanged them.
Of course I didnt do it, he repeated, angrily. I did say, in fun, that I meant to trick you, but when I saw how nervous and wrought up all you women were last night, I wouldnt dream of doing such a thing! Why, Vernie, I think too much of you, dear, to add to your fear or discomfort in any way.
At last everybody concluded it was the work of some one of their number, and there were varying opinions as to the identity of the perpetrator of what must have been meant for a joke.
But at breakfast time the matter was discussed very seriously and each avowed in all honour that he or she knew nothing of it.
I can speak not only for myself, said Professor Hardwick, gravely, but for Mr. Tracy and Mr. Braye. They would have had to pass my door to move around the halls, and I was awake all night, looking and listening, and I know they did not leave their rooms.
I speak for myself, said Gifford Bruce, haughtily. I declare on my oath that I did not leave my bed. Somebody exchanged those candles, but it was not I.
The Landons spoke for each other, and no one, of course, could suspect Wynne or Milly. And naturally, the two girls, Eve and Norma, would not go to Mr. Bruces room to play a trick like that.
I dont mind now, said Vernie, when its all light and cheerful and youre all around me, and the breakfast is so good and all. I think its the beginning of these experiences we came up here to look for. Why are you all so surprised? Because I had the first party?
The merry-eyed girl was unafraid now, but Hardwick shook his head.
I dont like it, he said. We cant investigate if theres a trickster among us. You didnt do it yourself, did you, Vernie?
No, Professor, and the pure truthful gaze of the brown eyes left no room for disbelief. Honest, I didnt. But, she laughed mischievously, if I had, I should say I hadnt!
Vernie! This wont do! and Eve glared at her, You little minx, I believe you did do it!