never discuss my lodgers. Yet I must acknowledge that my curiosity
had been roused by all this talk, and I began to watch the woman, who I
soon saw was in what I would call a flustered state of mind, and as
unhappy as anyone could be who hadn't suffered some great bereavement.
But still I wasn't really alarmed, being misled by the name she gave,
which was Clery.

Night before last I went to bed early. I am a heavy sleeper, as I need
to be with those cars pounding by the house every few minutes. But
there are certain noises which wake me, and I found myself all of a
sudden sitting up in bed and listening with all my ears. Everything
was quiet, even on the elevated road; but when the next train came
thundering along, I heard, piercing shrilly through the rumble and
roar, that same sharp _ping_ which had wakened me. What was it? It
seemed to come from somewhere in the house. But how could that be! I
was startled enough, however, to get up and slip on some of my clothes
and stand with ears astretch for the next train.

It came and passed, and right in the middle of the noise it made I
heard again that quick, sharp sound. This time I was sure it came from
somewhere near, and opening my door, I slid out into the hall. All
my lodgers were in but one, a young gentleman who has a night-key. And
most of the rooms were dark, as I can very well tell from the fact that
none of the doors fit as they ought to and there is sure to be a streak
of light showing somewhere about them if the gas is burning inside.
Everything looked so natural, and the house was so still, that I was
going back again when another train swept by and that sound was
repeated. This time I was sure it came from somewhere on the lower
floor, and mindful of Mrs. Clery's queer ways, I stole downstairs to
her door. She was up--that was plainly enough to be seen. But what was
she doing? I was just a little frightened, or I would have knocked on
the door and asked.

As I was waiting for the passing by of the next train, my last lodger
came in and caught me standing there before Mrs. Clery's door. I know
him pretty well; so I put my finger to my lips and then beckoned him to
join me. As the train approached, I seized him by the arm and pointed
toward Mrs. Clery's door. He didn't know what I meant, of course, but
he looked and listened, and when the train had gone by, I drew him down
the hall and sa