“THE TOLL-HOUSE”
“It’s all nonsense,” said Jack Barnes. “Of course people have died inthe house; people die in every house. As for the noises—wind in thechimney and rats in the wainscot are very convincing to a nervous man.Give me another cup of tea, Meagle.”
“Lester and White are first,” said Meagle, who was presiding at thetea-table of the Three Feathers Inn. “You’ve had two.”
Lester and White finished their cups with irritating slowness, pausingbetween sips to sniff the aroma, and to discover the sex and datesof arrival of the “strangers” which floated in some numbers in thebeverage. Mr. Meagle served them to the brim, and then, turning tothe grimly expectant Mr. Barnes, blandly requested him to ring for hotwater.
“We’ll try and keep your nerves in their present healthy condition,”he remarked. “For my part I have a sort of half-and-half belief in thesuper-natural.”
“All sensible people have,” said Lester. “An aunt of mine saw a ghostonce.”
White nodded.
“I had an uncle that saw one,” he said.
“It always is somebody else that sees them,” said Barnes.
“Well, there is a house,” said Meagle, “a large house at an absurdly lowrent, and nobody will take it. It has taken toll of at least one lifeof every family that has lived there—however short the time—and sinceit has stood empty caretaker after care-taker has died there. The lastcaretaker died fifteen years ago.”
“Exactly,” said Barnes. “Long enough ago for legends to accumulate.”
“I’ll bet you a sovereign you won’t spend the night there alone, for allyour talk,” said White, suddenly.
“And I,” said Lester.
“No,” said Barnes slowly. “I don’t believe in ghosts nor in anysupernatural things whatever; all the same I admit that I should notcare to pass a night there alone.”
“But why not?” inquired White.
“Wind in the chimney,” said Meagle with a grin.
“Rats in the wainscot,” chimed in Lester. “As you like,” said Barnescoloring.
“Suppose we all go,” said Meagle. “Start after supper, and getthere about eleven. We have been walking for ten days now without anadventure—except Barnes’s discovery that ditchwater smells longest.It will be a novelty, at any rate, and, if we break the spell by allsurviving, the grateful owner ought to come down handsome.”
“Let’s see what the landlord has to say about it first,” said Lester.“There is no fun in passing a night in an ordinary empty house. Let usmake sure that it is haunted.”
He rang the bell, and, sending for the landlord, appealed to him in thename of our common humanity not to let them waste a night watching in ahouse in which spectres and hobgoblins had no part. The reply was morethan reassuring, and the landlord, after describing with considerableart the exact appearance of a head which had been seen hanging out of awindow in the moonlight, wound up with a polite but urgent request thatthey would settle his bill before they went.
“It’s all very well for you young gentlemen to have your fun,” hesaid indulgently; “but supposing as how you are all found dead in themorning, what about me? It ain’t called the Toll-House for nothing, youknow.”
“Who died there last?” inquired Barnes, with an air of polite derision.
“A tramp,” was the reply. “He went there for the sake of half a crown,and they found him next morning hanging from the balusters, dead.”
“Suicide,” said Barnes. “Unsound mind.”
The landlord nodded. “That’s what the jury brought it in,” he saidslowly; “but his mind was sound enough when he went in there. I’d knownhim, off and on, for years. I’m a poor man, but I wouldn’t spend thenight in that house for a hundred pounds.”
‘I’m a Poor Man, But I Wouldn’t Spend the Night in That House for aHundred Pounds.’
He repeated this remark as they started on their expedition a fewhours later. They left as the inn was closing for the night; boltsshot noisily behind them, and, as the regular customers trudged slowlyhomewards, they set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the house.Most of the cottages were already in darkness, and lights in others wentout as they passed.
“It seems rather hard that we have got to lose a night’s rest in orderto convince Barnes of the existence of ghosts,” said White.
“It’s in a good cause,” said Meagle. “A most worthy object; andsomething seems to tell me that we shall succeed. You didn’t forget thecandles, Lester?”
“I have brought two,” was the reply; “all the old man could spare.”
There was but little moon, and the night was cloudy. The road betweenhigh hedges was dark, and in one place, where it ran through a wood, soblack that they twice stumbled in the uneven ground at the side of it.
“Fancy leaving our comfortable beds for this!” said White again. “Letme see; this desirable residential sepulchre lies to the right, doesn’tit?”
“Farther on,” said Meagle.
They walked on for some time in silence, broken only by White’s tributeto the softness, the cleanliness, and the comfort of the bed which wasreceding farther and farther into the distance. Under Meagle’s guidancethey turned oft at last to the right, and, after a walk of a quarter ofa mile, saw the gates of the house before them.
‘They Saw the Gates of The House Before Them.’
The lodge was almost hidden by overgrown shrubs and the drive was chokedwith rank growths. Meagle leading, they pushed through it until the darkpile of the house loomed above them.
“There is a window at the back where we can get in, so the landlordsays,” said Lester, as they stood before the hall door.
“Window?” said Meagle. “Nonsense. Let’s do the thing properly. Where’sthe knocker?”
He felt for it in the darkness and gave a thundering rat-tat-tat at thedoor.
“Don’t play the fool,” said Barnes crossly.
“Ghostly servants are all asleep,” said Meagle gravely, “but I’ll wakethem up before I’ve done with them. It’s scandalous keeping us out herein the dark.”
He plied the knocker again, and the noise volleyed in the emptinessbeyond. Then with a sudden exclamation he put out his hands and stumbledforward.
“Why, it was open all the time,” he said, with an odd catch in hisvoice. “Come on.”
“I don’t believe it was open,” said Lester, hanging back. “Somebody isplaying us a trick.”
“Nonsense,” said Meagle sharply. “Give me a candle. Thanks. Who’s got amatch?”
Barnes produced a box and struck one, and Meagle, shielding the candlewith his hand, led the way forward to the foot of the stairs. “Shut thedoor, somebody,” he said, “there’s too much draught.”
“It is shut,” said White, glancing behind him.
Meagle fingered his chin. “Who shut it?” he inquired, looking from oneto the other. “Who came in last?”
“I did,” said Lester, “but I don’t remember shutting it—perhaps I did,though.”
Meagle, about to speak, thought better of it, and, still carefullyguarding the flame, began to explore the house, with the others closebehind. Shadows danced on the walls and lurked in the corners as theyproceeded. At the end of the passage they found a second staircase, andascending it slowly gained the first floor.
“Careful!” said Meagle, as they gained the landing.
He held the candle forward and showed where the balusters had brokenaway. Then he peered curiously into the void beneath.
“This is where the tramp hanged himself, I suppose,” he saidthoughtfully.
“You’ve got an unwholesome mind,” said White, as they walked on. “Thisplace is qutie creepy enough without your remembering that. Now let’sfind a comfortable room and have a little nip of whiskey apiece and apipe. How will this do?”
He opened a door at the end of the passage and revealed a small squareroom. Meagle led the way with the candle, and, first melting a drop ortwo of tallow, stuck it on the
mantelpiece. The others seated themselveson the floor and watched pleasantly as White drew from his pocket asmall bottle of whiskey and a tin cup.
“H’m! I’ve forgotten the water,” he exclaimed. “I’ll soon get some,”said Meagle.
He tugged violently at the bell-handle, and the rusty jangling of a bellsounded from a distant kitchen. He rang again.
“Don’t play the fool,” said Barnes roughly.
Meagle laughed. “I only wanted to convince you,” he said kindly. “Thereought to be, at any rate, one ghost in the servants’ hall.”
Barnes held up his hand for silence.
“Yes?” said Meagle with a grin at the other two. “Is anybody coming?”
“Suppose we drop this game and go back,” said Barnes suddenly. “I don’tbelieve in spirits, but nerves are outside anybody’s command. You maylaugh as you like, but it really seemed to me that I heard a door openbelow and steps on the stairs.”
His voice was drowned in a roar of laughter.
“He is coming round,” said Meagle with a smirk. “By the time I have donewith him he will be a confirmed believer. Well, who will go and get somewater? Will you, Barnes?”
“No,” was the reply.
“If there is any it might not be safe to drink after all these years,”said Lester. “We must do without it.”
Meagle nodded, and taking a seat on the floor held out his hand for thecup. Pipes were lit and the clean, wholesome smell of tobacco filled theroom. White produced a pack of cards; talk and laughter rang through theroom and died away reluctantly in distant corridors.
“Empty rooms always delude me into the belief that I possess a deepvoice,” said Meagle. “To-morrow——”
He started up with a smothered exclamation as the light went outsuddenly and something struck him on the head. The others sprang totheir feet. Then Meagle laughed.
“It’s the candle,” he exclaimed. “I didn’t stick it enough.”
Barnes struck a match and relighting the candle stuck it on themantelpiece, and sitting down took up his cards again.
“What was I going to say?” said Meagle. “Oh, I know; to-morrow I——”
“Listen!” said White, laying his hand on the other’s sleeve. “Upon myword I really thought I heard a laugh.”
“Look here!” said Barnes. “What do you say to going back? I’ve hadenough of this. I keep fancying that I hear things too; sounds ofsomething moving about in the passage outside. I know it’s only fancy,but it’s uncomfortable.”
“You go if you want to,” said Meagle, “and we will play dummy. Or youmight ask the tramp to take your hand for you, as you go downstairs.”
Barnes shivered and exclaimed angrily. He got up and, walking to thehalf-closed door, listened.
“Go outside,” said Meagle, winking at the other two. “I’ll dare you togo down to the hall door and back by yourself.”
Barnes came back and, bending forward, lit his pipe at the candle.
“I am nervous but rational,” he said, blowing out a thin cloud of smoke.“My nerves tell me that there is something prowling up and down the longpassage outside; my reason tells me that it is all nonsense. Where aremy cards?”
He sat down again, and taking up his hand, looked through it carefullyand led.
“Your play, White,” he said after a pause. White made no sign.
“Why, he is asleep,” said Meagle. “Wake up, old man. Wake up and play.”
Lester, who was sitting next to him, took the sleeping man by the armand shook him, gently at first and then with some roughness; but White,with his back against the wall and his head bowed, made no sign. Meaglebawled in his ear and then turned a puzzled face to the others.
“He sleeps like the dead,” he said, grimacing. “Well, there are stillthree of us to keep each other company.”
“Yes,” said Lester, nodding. “Unless—Good Lord! suppose——”
He broke off and eyed them trembling.
“Suppose what?” inquired Meagle.
“Nothing,” stammered Lester. “Let’s wake him. Try him again. White!White!”
“It’s no good,” said Meagle seriously; “there’s something wrong aboutthat sleep.”
“That’s what I meant,” said Lester; “and if he goes to sleep like that,why shouldn’t——”
Meagle sprang to his feet. “Nonsense,” he said roughly. “He’s tired out;that’s all. Still, let’s take him up and clear out. You take his legsand Barnes will lead the way with the candle. Yes? Who’s that?”
He looked up quickly towards the door. “Thought I heard somebody tap,”he said with a shamefaced laugh. “Now, Lester, up with him. One, two—Lester! Lester!”
He sprang forward too late; Lester, with his face buried in his arms,had rolled over on the floor fast asleep, and his utmost efforts failedto awaken him.
“He—is—asleep,” he stammered. “‘Asleep!”
Barnes, who had taken the candle from the mantel-piece, stood peering atthe sleepers in silence and dropping tallow over the floor.
‘Barnes, Stood Peering at the Sleepers in Silence And Dropping Tallowover the Floor.’
“We must get out of this,” said Meagle. “Quick!” Barnes hesitated. “Wecan’t leave them here—” he began.
“We must,” said Meagle in strident tones. “If you go to sleep I shallgo—Quick! Come.”
He seized the other by the arm and strove to drag him to the door.Barnes shook him off, and putting the candle back on the mantelpiece,tried again to arouse the sleepers.
“It’s no good,” he said at last, and, turning from them, watched Meagle.“Don’t you go to sleep,” he said anxiously.
Meagle shook his head, and they stood for some time in uneasy silence.“May as well shut the door,” said Barnes at last.
He crossed over and closed it gently. Then at a scuffling noise behindhim he turned and saw Meagle in a heap on the hearthstone.
With a sharp catch in his breath he stood motionless. Inside the roomthe candle, fluttering in the draught, showed dimly the grotesqueattitudes of the sleepers. Beyond the door there seemed to hisover-wrought imagination a strange and stealthy unrest. He tried towhistle, but his lips were parched, and in a mechanical fashion hestooped, and began to pick up the cards which littered the floor.
He stopped once or twice and stood with bent head listening. The unrestoutside seemed to increase; a loud creaking sounded from the stairs.
“Who is there?” he cried loudly.
The creaking ceased. He crossed to the door and flinging it open, strodeout into the corridor. As he walked his fears left him suddenly.
“Come on!” he cried with a low laugh. “All of you! All of you! Show yourfaces—your infernal ugly faces! Don’t skulk!”
He laughed again and walked on; and the heap in the fireplace put outhis head tortoise fashion and listened in horror to the retreatingfootsteps. Not until they had become inaudible in the distance did thelisteners’ features relax.
“Good Lord, Lester, we’ve driven him mad,” he said in a frightenedwhisper. “We must go after him.”
There was no reply. Meagle sprung to his feet. “Do you hear?” he cried.“Stop your fooling now; this is serious. White! Lester! Do you hear?”
He bent and surveyed them in angry bewilderment. “All right,” he said ina trembling voice. “You won’t frighten me, you know.”
He turned away and walked with exaggerated carelessness in the directionof the door. He even went outside and peeped through the crack, but thesleepers did not stir. He glanced into the blackness behind, and thencame hastily into the room again.
He stood for a few seconds regarding them. The stillness in the housewas horrible; he could not even hear them breathe. With a suddenresolution he snatched the candle from the mantelpiece and held theflame to White’s finger. Then as he reeled back stupefied the footstepsagain became audible.
He stood with the candle in his shaking hand listening. He heard themascending the farther staircase,
but they stopped suddenly as he wentto the door. He walked a little way along the passage, and they wentscurrying down the stairs and then at a jog-trot along the corridorbelow. He went back to the main staircase, and they ceased again.
For a time he hung over the balusters, listening and trying to piercethe blackness below; then slowly, step by step, he made his waydownstairs, and, holding the candle above his head, peered about him.
“Barnes!” he called. “Where are you?” Shaking with fright, he made hisway along the passage, and summoning up all his courage pushed opendoors and gazed fearfully into empty rooms. Then, quite suddenly, heheard the footsteps in front of him.
He followed slowly for fear of extinguishing the candle, until they ledhim at last into a vast bare kitchen with damp walls and a broken floor.In front of him a door leading into an inside room had just closed. Heran towards it and flung it open, and a cold air blew out the candle. Hestood aghast.
‘Into a Vast Bare Kitchen With Damp Walls and A Broken Floor.’
“Barnes!” he cried again. “Don’t be afraid! It is I—Meagle!”
There was no answer. He stood gazing into the darkness, and all the timethe idea of something close at hand watching was upon him. Then suddenlythe steps broke out overhead again.
He drew back hastily, and passing through the kitchen groped his wayalong the narrow passages. He could now see better in the darkness, andfinding himself at last at the foot of the staircase began to ascendit noiselessly. He reached the landing just in time to see a figuredisappear round the angle of a wall. Still careful to make no noise, hefollowed the sound of the steps until they led him to the top floor, andhe cornered the chase at the end of a short passage.
“Barnes!” he whispered. “Barnes!”
Something stirred in the darkness. A small circular window at the end ofthe passage just softened the blackness and revealed the dim outlinesof a motionless figure. Meagle, in place of advancing, stood almost asstill as a sudden horrible doubt took possession of him. With his eyesfixed on the shape in front he fell back slowly and, as it advanced uponhim, burst into a terrible cry.
“Barnes! For God’s sake! Is it you?”
The echoes of his voice left the air quivering, but the figure beforehim paid no heed. For a moment he tried to brace his courage up toendure its approach, then with a smothered cry he turned and fled.
The passages wound like a maze, and he threaded them blindly in a vainsearch for the stairs. If he could get down and open the hall door——
He caught his breath in a sob; the steps had begun again. At a lumberingtrot they clattered up and down the bare passages, in and out, up anddown, as though in search of him. He stood appalled, and then as theydrew near entered a small room and stood behind the door as they rushedby. He came out and ran swiftly and noiselessly in the other direction,and in a moment the steps were after him. He found the long corridorand raced along it at top speed. The stairs he knew were at the end, andwith the steps close behind he descended them in blind haste. Thesteps gained on him, and he shrank to the side to let them pass, stillcontinuing his headlong flight. Then suddenly he seemed to slip off theearth into space.
Lester awoke in the morning to find the sunshine streaming into theroom, and White sitting up and regarding with some perplexity a badlyblistered finger.
“Where are the others?” inquired Lester. “Gone, I suppose,” said White.“We must have been asleep.”
Lester arose, and stretching his stiffened limbs, dusted his clotheswith his hands, and went out into the corridor. White followed. At thenoise of their approach a figure which had been lying asleep at theother end sat up and revealed the face of Barnes. “Why, I’ve beenasleep,” he said in surprise. “I don’t remember coming here. How did Iget here?”
“Nice place to come for a nap,” said Lester, severely, as he pointed tothe gap in the balusters. “Look there! Another yard and where would youhave been?”
He walked carelessly to the edge and looked over. In response to hisstartled cry the others drew near, and all three stood gazing at thedead man below.
‘All Three Stood Gazing at the Dead Man Below.’