chosen by Mr.
McGregor, to carry out his project of sprinkling blood at the bank. He
had arranged, by apparent accident, to have two planters enter the bank
with him, and in fact, it happened that four gentlemen were present at
ten o'clock when he opened the bank. They all entered together, and
when Mr. McGregor had taken down the blinds, he went inside the bank
railing. As he did so, he uttered a sudden exclamation, which caused the
others to follow.

"What can this mean!" he said, in an excited tone.

The other gentlemen gathered around the ghastly scene and examined the
blood, which lay in a pool on the floor, and in spots on the furniture
and wall. The canceling hammer, stained with blood, and clotted with
hair, lay close by, and every one was reminded of the appearance of the
place, the morning after George Gordon's murder.

"What can have happened?" asked old Mr. Gordon, who had just entered.
"Surely, no one was murdered here last night."

"Ah! I fear it is done by poor George's spirit!" exclaimed O'Fallon, who
was a very superstitious man. "This looks just as it did that fatal
morning, except that the body is not here. His spirit must be uneasy at
the failure to discover his murderer."

By this time, Flanders and several others, had entered the bank, and the
appearance of things there, was soon circulated throughout the town. The
excitement about the murder, was revived in all its original importance,
and many were the speculations about the mysterious affair.

Drysdale felt rather strong that morning, and about noon, he walked down
to his gate. While there, some of his neighbors passed on their way to
their homes, and they were all anxious to tell him about the new
sensation at the bank. On hearing the news, Drysdale dragged himself
into the house and went to bed. There he lay, groaning and sobbing
piteously, and when Andrews called in the afternoon, he was so helpless
that Andrews insisted on calling a physician. In a short time he
returned with Dr. Sprague, who examined the patient, and prescribed for
him. Dr. Sprague said that Drysdale would speedily recover with a proper
amount of rest and sleep. Wakefulness and nervous irritation seemed to
be the trouble with him, and the doctor told Andrews that he had
prescribed morphine. He said that there was nothing serious to fear
unless fever should set in, and if any symptoms should show themselves
it would be necessary to call him immediately.

Upon leavin