fresh to tell of
how his women folks have been worried by the thing; and if somebody
doesn't settle his spookship mighty sudden, we'll have all the females
in hysterics; and something we've never needed in this valley yet, and
that's a doctor. There won't be a nerve left anywhere."

Ninian laughed again; adding, a moment later: "Not just the sort of
place to send a nervous-prostration patient, is it, after all? But
what's your own speculation concerning the nuisance?"

"Let me tell you the whole business, so far forth as I've heerd it
since I came home. Then you can form your own mind on it and see how
best to help my folks out their troubles; 'cause I ain't trying to
hide that was my reason for wanting you to come. You'd helped us so
much with the title affair I knew you'd unravel this skein. But I'm
powerful glad to see you, all the same, and I do hope you'll get as
much good for yourself out the visit as I want the mistress to get."

The horses were now somewhat quieted by a long stretch of the level
road, over which they had been allowed to travel at their own pace,
and talking was easier. Ephraim gave in detail the story of Pedro's
visit and gift of the wand; of the many strange incidents of the last
few days; of Ned's serious illness, caused by fright, Aunt Sally
declared, but, as his mother thought, by too much rich food and an
overdose of candy; and how, though he had repeatedly been heard about
the premises, nobody had as yet actually seen Antonio Bernal. However,
at present, little was thought of but the suffering children; for Luis
had remained true to his character of "echo" and had himself, that
very day, been put to bed with the same high fever which was
tormenting Ned.

"You see, though it's getting Christmas time and everything ought to
be lovely, we're about as badly off as a family can be. All the same,
if anybody in this world can cheer the mistress it'll be yourself, Mr.
Sharp, and I'm powerful glad you've come."

For the rest of the ride they were mostly silent; each man revolving
in his mind the most plausible explanation of Antonio's behavior, in
his would-be mysterious hiding, and his terrorizing of the little
lads.

Finally, Ninian expressed his own opinion:

"It's perfectly natural he should drift back to Sobrante, even with
all the opprobrium that would attach to him there. It is his home. He
believed or pretended to believe, that it was also his birthright. He
knows nothing that woul