"Then come on," and I picked up the suit cases. "We will probably be
laughing at ourselves in five minutes. You will have to unlatch the
gate."

It was held in place by a sagging rope, but opened noiselessly, and we
advanced onto a brick walk, so little used as to be half hidden by
weeds growing in the crevices. The moon dimly revealed rank vegetation
on either side, while ahead, beneath the tree shadows, the darkness was
profound. There was no sound, no faintest gleam of light to indicate
the house, and I was compelled to advance cautiously to keep to the
path, which apparently wound about in the form of a letter "S." We
were at the foot of the front steps, the building itself looming black
before us, almost before we realized its nearness. I could perceive
the outlines indistinctly, and the deserted desolation affected me
strangely. Perhaps some of the negro's superstition had got into my
blood, for I felt my heart leap when the girl suddenly sobbed,
clutching me in an agony of fear. Yet the very knowledge of her fright
stiffened my resolution, and I dropped the grips to clasp both her
hands.

"Don't!" I insisted. "I know the place looks leery enough, but Pete
said the overseer and housekeeper were here. Doubtless they are in the
back rooms. Wait here until I go up and rouse them."

"Oh, no; I could not stand it to be left alone."

"All right; here, take my hand, and we 'll go up together."

They were broad wooden steps, leading to a wide porch, the roof
supported by heavy columns. Beyond was the dark bulk of the house,