ttered to the four winds. (_Quickly_) You would be surprised,
Mr. Warren, to see the collection I have already rescued and which some
day may be yours, Maria.

JARVIS. (_Breaking in impatiently_) Well, so much for the treasure. Now
let's hear about the ghost. What's your opinion of this, your
Excellency? Do you put any stock in ghosts?

DUKE. Yes, Mr. Warren, I am convinced there are such things.

JARVIS. You believe that this castle is haunted?

DUKE. I know it.

JARVIS. You think this ghost is dangerous to encounter--that it is the
cause of the deaths and disappearances in the castle?

DUKE. I do.

JARVIS. Well, what do you think about that? Ghosts---- That's a pretty
broad term, your Excellency. Can you tell me just what you believe this
ghost is?

DUKE. There are certain occult forces in this world, Mr. Warren, that
science cannot fathom, and some of them are manifested in that castle
now. A priest might call it a demon or a fiend; a psychologist, perhaps
a returning spirit. I can't say--but I know there is something real, a
malignant force which lurks in that castle, and while it haunts those
halls, it is madness for any man to expose himself there.

JARVIS. Have you ever seen this ghost?

PRINCESS. My brother has.

JARVIS. What?

PRINCESS. Twice.

JARVIS. Good night!

PRINCESS. So has my father, and the others when they disappeared. No one
has seen it three times and lived.

JARVIS. (_Interrupting and looking at_ DUKE) In just what way do you
connect this spook with the treasure?

DUKE. Spook? I see no connection. What do you mean?

JARVIS. Oh, there is always money where the ghost walks.

DUKE. I don't know what your experience has been, Mr. Warren. You are
evidently a brave man--but you have yet to encounter a real ghost.

JARVIS. Brave! It takes no bravery to fight a coward. That is what this
ghost is--it's a coward like every other ghost. I tell you that men are
not half so afraid of spirits as spirits are afraid of men. Face the
supernatural--and it is beaten to a frazzle before the fight begins.
Spooks--horse-thieves--and peevish wild-cats can all be tamed by the
same little charm.

PRINCESS. (_Mystified_) Charm?

DUKE. (_Leaning forward_) What is it?

JARVIS. I'd hate to tell you. It's part of my system. (_Taking out
pistol._)

DUKE. (_Scornfully_) I had been hoping, Mr. Warren, that you had some
subtle method of handling this problem, but you evidently propose to
meet the fo