could hear her quick breathing, and feel an occasional clutch of her
fingers on my sleeve at some unusual sound. Suddenly the negro pulled
up before a high hedge, and I perceived the white glimmer of a gate
opposite us, the black shadow of trees beyond.

"Here we am, sah," he whispered, glancing about fearful, "an' de good
Lord knows I 'se glad tain't no furder. You just han' me a dollar,
sah, an' den I 'se goin' fur to git out o' dis."

"Is that the house in there?"

"Suah, you ought for to know dat. Tain't changed none, 'cept run down
a bit, far as I know. Here am your grips, sah."

We had no sooner alighted than he wheeled his team, and departed,
whipping the horses into a run. I felt her hand grip my sleeve, and
glanced aside into her face.

"Frightened?" I asked, endeavoring to speak easily. "Don't let that
fellow bother you; surely you do not believe in spooks?"

"No," her voice trembling, "but it is all so desolate. I--I wish we
had waited until daylight."

"Well, frankly, so do I," I responded, "but the thought comes too late.
There is nothing left us but to try the house; we cannot pass the night
out here."

"No, oh, no!"