open, at the top. But here she stopped uncertainly, and for the
first time fear was mingled with curiosity, for plainly to be heard
through that half-open door came the sound of voices. It was unpleasant
to remember Patrick's ghost just then. Was this where it lived? If so,
she thought she would go back. Yet it would be a pity, now that she had
got so far, and something urged her strongly to go and peep into the
room above. Mary had many faults but she was no coward, and besides
this, her proud spirit made her ashamed to run away, so after a little
hesitation she crept softly up the stone steps. She hardly dared to
breathe lest she should be heard, and as she went the voices became
clearer and clearer: they certainly sounded just like a man and woman
talking. When she reached the top she paused a minute to gather
courage, and then peeped cautiously round the door.

It was a large room--one of those which Jackie had called forbidden
rooms--for there was quite a big hole in one corner where the floor had
given way. There was a wide open fireplace with a high carved stone
mantel-piece, and on the hearth a fire of sticks crackled away under a
black pipkin which stood on legs; from this there came a strange and
savoury smell. A woman was crouching on the ground in front of it with
her back to the door, and a tall dark man leant against the mantel-piece
and fed the fire with some dry boughs which he broke into pieces. Here
were no ghosts at any rate. There was something reassuring in the sight
of the fire and the black pot and the smell of food; but what were they
doing here, and who were they? It was perhaps some dark affair
connected with "Chancery."

Mary felt frightened. She could not see the woman's face, but the man
looked so evil and dark, and had such bright black eyes! She drew back
her head and prepared to creep softly down the steps and make her way
out. Now that she had seen these ghosts she would have plenty to tell
Jackie and the others, and they would all think her very brave. She
began to feel anxious to be with them again.

Just then the woman spoke.

"Bennie's late," she said. "Supper's most ready."

"He's havin' a look round," answered the man, "against to-night."

"What's the old chap's name?" continued the woman.

"Chelwood," said the man. "He's a JP."

"What's that?"

"A bloke wot sits in court and sends yer to prison," answered the man.

Mary listened with all her ears and