The Childerbridge Mystery

d western portion of the house, was quite empty. Like the remainder of the building, it was panelled with dark oak, some portion of it being curiously, though richly carved. He searched it up

These he descended, and having reached the servants' hall, called Wilkins, the butler, to h

er the night when you thought you

eplied. "I can never go along that corridor

t passed along the further side of the gallery, in the direction of the west corridor. Now, Wilkins, I have come down to find out whet

time I am not going to say that I am not a bit frightened, for it wou

Jim, "and bring a ligh

As they reached the corridor Jim turned and caught a glimpse of his

it won't hurt you, and if it's a human being y

room on the corridor. It was empty, and quite

was a curious recess on the side opposite the door. Jim overhauled each panel, and carefully examined the recess, but without discovering anything suspicious. Thus they proceeded from room to room searching every nook and cranny, and endeavouring in every possible way to account for the creaking noise which had first attracted Jim's attention. The carving of the corridor itself was carefully examined, every panel of the wains

had finished their labours. "Now one word of advice; just keep the fact of his appearance t

and then returned to the Servants' Hall, leaving Jim standing on

hat he disappeared in the corridor," he said to him

know, Alice was always a most methodical and neat young lady; now everything was in confusion. The drawers of the dressing-table stood open and their contents were strewed upon the table and the floor. Th

ne of confusion. "Has Alice gone mad, or has the Black Dwarf been trying to see how untidy

e something like order. This task accomplished, he went downstairs to th

upstairs," she remarked.

most a shudder. Somewhat to Jim's surprise, she returned it without commenting upon it. He replaced it in his pocket, also without a word, and then stood before the fire,

o you make a point of lockin

at night?" she repeate

big, lonely house, and we have to remember that you and I are the only people on this side. I wish m

o-night?" she asked. "What is

ordinary act of common sense to make yourself safe, while you are permitted the opportunity. Ever since that terrible nig

it?" she

in the room next to yours. Then, if any one makes trouble, and h

trouble, as you describe it," she replied, lo

e continued. "Now I am going t

On the butler making his appearance he instructed him to bring

hear us. Now, Terence, I have something to say to you. Doubtless, since you have been in the neighbourhood, you have he

's folk down in the Township yonder, as would no more think of coming up here after da

eliever in ghos

you may remember, sir, as how there was a ghost of an old man to be seen, some nights in the year, waiting to get over at the Thirty-Mile Crossing up the river.

as a lion. He was the possessor of nerves of iro

vant saw what she thought to be the ghost of the Little Black Dwarf up in the gallery outside. Wilkins here was the next to s

hile Wilkins plainly showed the triumph he

stern corridor almost as soon as I caught sight of him. At the same ti

en told that this old house is full of secret passages, and, if

s quite convinced in his own mind of the

more so as, since I parted with you, Wilkins, I have made a cu

ied the butler. "I saw the maid coming out just as I left

an untidy stat

of it from the housekeeper if she did. No, she's a nice, steady gir

ttered upon the floor, as were the dresses in the wardrobe. Now I feel quite certain in my own mind that it was from Miss Alice's bedroom that the figure I saw emerged. I am equally sure o

enquired. "I can assure you that none of t

ture that somebody, and to make an example of him when I have got him. For that reason, Terence, I am going to ask you to sleep in the house, in the room next to th

ccupied the room in question. His watchfulness availed him

en in a wooded corner of the park. With the cunning of lovers they had arranged a plan of meeting, and those little tête-à-têtes were to Jim as the breath of life. No sooner was one at an end than he hungered for the next. But he was destined ere long to receive a fright, such as he had never received in his l

" she said, as she came forward to greet him. "I ha

his arm round her waist and drawing her to him. "You a

upset me terribly," she answered.

upon which they had often seated

know everyth

lder in a frightened way. Then

u concerns my grandfather. I a

ou again on my account," Jim replied. Then he continued

not speak so loud, you do no

discretion, d

ed his writing, not putting down his pen until I had been some minutes in the room. Then he looked at me with a very thoughtful face, in which I imagined I could detect an expression that I had never seen there before. Taken altogether, his manner frightened me. It was so strange, and so utterly unlike himself, that I did not know what to think. Then he took off his spectac

did he say

' After that he began to pace the room once more, and finally hurled at me such a torrent of abuse that I was almost stupefied by it. He accused me of the most outrageous things, until I could bear it no longer, and rose to lea

e serious than you suppo

uld bind myself never to speak to you or see you again, and contained my promise that I would abandon all thought of ever becoming your wife. 'Sign that,' he said, 'or the con

d t

to sign the document, and at last he discovered that it was impossible to force me to do so. 'Very well,' he said, 'since you refuse, the consequence

re most imprudent, dear. He may try to revenge

urt me," she replied. "I

harm. But the idea that you are shut up in the house with a madman, for a madman he must surely be, frightens me beyond all measure. You must see

th him. I feel sure I shall be quite safe. He is angry with me at present, but he will calm down. It is above all necessary, however, that you should not come near him

ying to be just. One thing is quite certain, I shall k

y promise that, should he become ver

h no good grace. "And now you had better be running in. If he finds that you are out, he might suppose th

ed homeward with a heavy heart. He felt that he had already enough anxiety upon his shoulders without this additional burden. He had never trusted

in by a side door, and made his way to

e gong sounded some time ago. You

" replied Jim. "Alice,

the matter n

is interview with Helen. She heard him without a word, but i

e had finished, "this is indeed se

like to me, and if I interfere between Helen and himself it will have the effect of adding to his wrath and

e think about

n his trouble. That, of course, is all very well in its way, but no one

his face, crossed the room and

nce, Mr. Bursfield's condition may improve. Were I in your place, I should trust matters to her for a little while. You know that she loves you, and you may be quite sure that she will keep her p

envelope from the mantelp

from?" he remarked

the contents, he

on, Child

found. Co

ellington St