"Hark!" cried Madam Passmore, suddenly, "what was that?" "I heard nothing," said Lucy. "What was it, Mother?" asked Harry, looking up. "Some strange sound, as if one were about on the terrace," she answered in a suppressed voice. "There again! I am sure I hear a footstep on the gravel." Charley rushed to the window, and endeavored to see through the darkness. "'Tis as dark as pitch; I can see nothing at all!" observed that young gentleman. "I will go out and see what it is," said Harry rising. He took his sword from where it lay, and left the room. "Bow-wow-wow-wow-wow!" said Venus, running after him, as her contribution to the family excitement. Harry opened the front door, desiring Charley to guard it till his return, and Venus, after sniffing under it, rushed out of the house with him, barking loudly on the terrace, in a state of great perturbation. Harry came back after an absence of twenty minutes, during which the Squire had several times "wondered what on earth was keeping the boy." "All right," he said, laying down his sword; "there are no robbers about." "It has taken you a precious time to find it out," growled his father. Harry sat down again to his game. "I walked round the terrace to make sure," he said. "Which you might have done in five minutes," grumbled the Squire again. "Now then, 'tis your move." Harry placed one of his three kings in dangerous proximity to his adversary's forces. "Thank you, Sir," said his father, satirically, capturing the imperilled potentate. Harry tried to retrieve himself, and succeeded in placing the second king in the same position. "Harry, lad, what has come to you?" asked the Squire, looking at him. "You were playing better than usual till just now, but your walk round the terrace seems to have destroyed your skill." "I beg your pardon, Sir," answered Harry, uncomfortably. "I will endeavor to play better." And he carried out his attempt by placing in imminent peril his last remaining piece. "Nay, nay," said his father, leaning back in his chair, "'tis no use going on, lad. Did you see a ghost on the terrace?" "I did not, Sir, I assure you," returned Harry. "Well, I wonder what is the matter with you," said the Squire. "Here, Lucy, come and let me see if you can do any better." Lucy took her brother's vacated seat. "Celia," said Harry, a quarter of an hour afterwards, turning to her, "would you mind bringing your needle and thread up-stairs? I want you to help me with something which I cannot well bring here." "Oh yes, Harry, I will come with you," answered Celia, re-threading her needle, and following Harry out of the room with it in her hand. Harry led her up-stairs, motioned her into her own room, and, much to her surprise, locked the door, and pocketed the key. "Harry, something is the matter," she said. "Something _is_ the matter, Celia," repeated Harry. "I have brought you here to tell it you." "What did you see on the terrace?" she asked, fearfully.