"

"And he arrived at no theory?"

Radnor hesitated visibly while he framed an answer.

"He arrived at no theory which successfully covered the facts."

"But he did have a theory as to the whereabouts of the bonds, did he
not?"

"Yes--but it was without any foundation and I prefer not to go into it."

The coroner abandoned the point. "Mr. Gaylord, there has lately been a
rumor among the negroes working at your place, in regard to the
appearance of a ghost, has there not?"

"Yes."

"Can you offer any light on the subject?"

"The negroes are superstitious and easily frightened, when the rumor of
a ghost gets started it grows. The most of the stories existed only in
their own imaginations."

"You believe then that there was no foundation whatever to any of the
stories?"

"I should rather not go into that."

"Mr. Gaylord, do you believe that the ghost had any connection with the
robbery?"

"No, I do not."

"Do you think that the ghost had any connection with the murder of your
father?"

"No!" said Radnor.

"That is all, Mr. Gaylord.--James Clancy."

At the name Radnor suddenly raised his head and half turned back as if
to speak, but thinking better of it, he resumed his chair and watched
the approach of the detective with an angry frown. Clancy did not glance
at Radnor, but gave his evidence in a quick incisive way which forced
the breathless attention of every one in the room. He told without
interruption the story of his arrival at Four-Pools and his conclusions
in regard to the ha'nt and the theft; he omitted, however, all mention
of the letter.

"Am I to understand that you never made your conclusions known to
Colonel Gaylord?" the coroner asked.

"No, I had been employed by him, but I thought under the circumstances
it was kinder to leave him in ignorance."

"That was a generous stand to take. I suppose you lost something in the
way of a fee?"

The detective looked slightly uncomfortable over the question.

"Well, no, as it happened I didn't. There was a sort of cousin--Mr.
Crosby"--he nodded toward me--"visiting in the house and he footed the
bill. He seemed to think the young man hadn't intended to steal, and
that it would be pleasanter all around if I left it for them to settle
between themselves."

"I protest!" I cried. "I distinctly stated my conviction that Radnor
Gaylord knew nothing of the bonds, and I paid him to get rid of him
because I did not wish him troubling Colonel Gaylo