nk Smith must have found his way by the aid of some
sixth sense. At any rate, I saw nothing of the house until I stood some
five paces from the steps leading up to the porch. A light was burning
in the hallway, but dimly and inhospitably; of the facade of the
building I could perceive little.

When we entered the hall and the door was closed behind us, I began
wondering anew what purpose my friend hoped to serve by a vigil in this
haunted place. There was a light in the library, the door of which was
ajar, and on the large table were decanters, a siphon, and some biscuits
and sandwiches. A large grip stood upon the floor, also. For some reason
which was a mystery to me, Smith had decided that we must assume false
names whilst under the roof of the Gables; and:

"Now, Pearce," he said, "a whisky-and-soda before we look around?"

The proposal was welcome enough, for I felt strangely dispirited, and,
to tell the truth, in my strange disguise, not a little ridiculous.

All my nerves, no doubt, were highly strung, and my sense of hearing
unusually acute, for I went in momentary expectation of some uncanny
happening. I had not long to wait. As I raised the glass to my lips and
glanced across the table at my friend, I heard the first faint sound
heralding the coming of the bells.

It did not seem to proceed from anywhere within the library, but from
some distant room, far away overhead. A musical sound it was, but
breaking in upon the silence of that ill-omened house, its music was the
music of terror. In a faint and very sweet cascade it rippled; a ringing
as of tiny silver bells.

I set down my glass upon the table, and rising slowly from the chair in
which I had been seated, stared fixedly at my companion, who was staring
with equal fixity at me. I could see that I had not been deluded;
Nayland Smith had heard the ringing, too.

"The ghosts waste no time!" he said softly. "This is not new to me; I
spent an hour here last night and heard the same sound..."

I glanced hastily around the room. It was furnished as a library, and
contained a considerable collection of works, principally novels. I was
unable to judge of the outlook, for the two lofty windows were draped
with heavy purple curtains which were drawn close. A silk shaded lamp
swung from the center of the ceiling, and immediately over the table by
which I stood. There was much shadow about the room; and now I glanced
apprehensively about me, but especially tow