d his hands and smiled, then apparently
observing me for the first time, glanced at Mr. Ashton with a slight
frown and an interrogative expression.

"Mr. Owen Morgan," said Ashton, lightly, "on his way to Exeter with me.
I took the liberty of bringing him in, on account of the storm."

"I am ready to go on at once," I interjected stiffly, "as soon as the
rain lets up a bit."

"Nonsense--nonsense!" The Major's voice was somewhat testy. "You can't
possibly proceed on a night like this. Make yourself at home, Sir. Any
friend of Mr. Ashton's is welcome here." He waved aside my protestations
and turned to one of the servants, who had entered the room to turn on
the lights. "Show Mr. Ashton and Mr. Morgan to their rooms, Gibson.
You'll be wanting to fix up a bit before dinner," he announced.

"I'm afraid I can't dress," I said ruefully; "my things have all gone
on to Exeter by train."

The Major favored me with a sympathetic smile. "I quite understand," he
said; "traveler's luck. I've been a bit of a traveler myself, in my day,
Mr. Morgan. My daughter will understand perfectly."

"Which rooms, Sir, shall I show the gentlemen to?" asked the man, a
trifle uneasily, I thought.

The Major looked at Ashton, and laughed. "Ashton," he said, "you know I
only took this place a short time ago on my return from my last trip to
the East, and as we do not have many visitors, it's a bit musty and out
of shape. Queer old house, I fancy. Been closed, until I let it, for
years. Supposed to be haunted or something of the sort--tales of
wandering spirits and all that. I imagine it won't worry you much." He
glanced from Ashton to myself with a quick smile of interrogation.

"Hardly," replied my companion, lighting a cigarette. "I've outgrown
ghosts. Lead on to the haunted chamber."

The Major turned to the servant. "Show the gentlemen to the two rooms in
the west wing, Gibson. The green room will suit Mr. Ashton, I fancy, and
perhaps Mr. Morgan will find the white and gold room across the hall
comfortable for the night."

"Very good, Sir." The man turned toward the staircase and we followed
him.

I found my room a large and fairly comfortable one, containing a great
maple bed, a chest of drawers and other furniture of an old-fashioned
sort. The place seemed stuffy with the peculiar dead atmosphere of rooms
long closed, but I soon dispelled this by throwing open one of the
windows upon that side of the room away from the force of the