"Oh, pshaw," I laughed, turning toward the silent girl. "We will risk
the ghost if you 'll drive us out. Put in the grips."

"Yes, sah. I reckon this yere am de new missus."

"Yes," and I assisted her into the rear seat. "That's all; now jog
along."

He climbed into his place, but with no special alacrity; but whipped
his team into a swift trot, evidently anxious to complete the trip as
early as possible. I glanced aside at my companion, observing the
paleness of her face.

"Surely you are not afraid of the negro's ghost?" I questioned.

"Oh, no, but the strangeness of it all has got on my nerves. I did not
suppose it would be so hard, and--and I am not so sure now that we
ought to do this."

"But that is foolish," I insisted, a bit angrily. "We talked it all
over, you know, and no harm can be done, except through our discovery.
Don't fail me now."

"Oh, I am not going to fail," indignantly. "The ride will steady my
nerves," she leaned forward whispering, her head inclined toward the
front seat. "Perhaps he can tell us who we shall meet there?"

"Pete," I asked, "who is out there now?"

The negro turned, so I could see the whites of his eyes.