ed with the old Allen
House, were things to be conned over with that second self, towards whom
all thought turned and all interest converged as to a centre.

After exchanging wet outer garments and boots, for dressing gown and
slippers; and darkness and storm for a pleasant fireside; my thoughts
turned to the north-west chamber of the Allen House, and I said--

"I have seen something to-night that puzzled me."

"What is that?" inquired my wife, turning her mild eyes upon me.

"You know the room in which old Captain Allen died?"

"Yes."

"The chamber on the north-west corner, which, as far as we know, has
been shut up ever since?"

"Yes, I remember your suspicion as to foul play on the part of Mrs.
Allen, who, it is believed, has never visited the apartment since the
Captain's death."

"Well, you will be surprised to hear that the shutters are unclosed, and
lights burning in that chamber."

"Now!"

"Yes--or at least half an hour ago."

"That is remarkable."

My wife looked puzzled.

"And more remarkable still--I saw shadows moving on the walls, as of two
or three persons in the room."

"Something unusual has happened," said my wife.

"Perhaps Mrs. Allen is dead."

This thought had not occurred to me. I turned it over for a few moments,
and then remarked,

"Hardly probable--for, in that case, I would have been summoned. No; it
strikes me that some strangers are in the house; for I am certain that
I saw a young girl come to the window and press her face close up to one
of the panes, as if trying to penetrate the darkness.

"Singular!" said my wife, as if speaking to herself. "Now, that
explains, in part, something that I couldn't just make out yesterday. I
was late in getting home from Aunt Elder's you know. Well, as I came in
view of that old house, I thought I saw a girl standing by the gate.
An appearance so unusual, caused me to strain my eyes to make out the
figure, but the twilight had fallen too deeply. While I still looked,
the form disappeared; but, through an opening in the shrubbery, I caught
another glimpse of it, as it vanished in the portico. I was going to
speak of the incident, but other matters pushed it, till now, from my
thoughts when you were at home."

"Then my eyes did not deceive me," said I; "your story corroborates
mine. There is a young lady in the Allen House. But who is she? That is
the question."

As we could not get beyond this question, we left the riddle for time