Tom gave? She’ll never forgive me for this—she’s such a firm believer in ‘ghostes.’ I wish she had left the lamp behind; it’s as dark as Egypt up here, and I’m almost frozen.” Dorothy had dropped down on the top of a chest, and apparently was quivering in every limb. The men broke into a relieved laugh as they put their pistols back into their belts. “It was pretty cold up here before the ghost appeared,” said the Lieutenant, “but it makes me hot all over to think how near I came to shooting you. Great heaven! suppose I had!” The man’s voice shook in spite of himself, and he wiped his face with his handkerchief. “You’re a plucky ghost,” said the Sergeant, still trying to get his pistol fixed in his belt, “and I’m honest enough to acknowledge you frightened me silly.” His blood was still tingling from the touch of Dorothy’s hands—he wanted to get down to the light where he could see her face again, and he made a move towards the door. Dorothy was laughing now, a little foolishly. “It was stupid in me to think it was really a ghost,” she said, rather apologetically, “but Anne ought not to have frightened us like that. Are you gentlemen through?” she added, “or shall I call Sallie Tom to bring back the lamp?” “I don’t think she would come if you called,” answered the Lieutenant. “I guess we have taxed your patience quite long enough. Can I help you down the steps?” He turned to Anne as he spoke and held out his hand to lead her down. The Sergeant did the same for Dorothy, and soon they were back in the library, where amidst much laughter they explained the cause of Sallie Tom’s flight. “She is out in the kitchen now, trying to get supper,” said Mrs. Tayloe, breathing freely once more; “but I don’t believe you can persuade her you are not the genuine article, my dear.” She pressed Anne by the hand, and the latter understood the signal. “Poor old Sallie Tom,” she answered, getting up, “I must go and make peace with her, or we won’t have anything much for supper, I’m afraid, and I’m simply, absolutely starving.” She went out of the room with a mock courtesy, and they heard her calling to Sallie Tom to “look out! the ‘ghostes’ were coming!” And then the kitchen door banged. CHAPTER X. It was not a difficult matter to persuade the men to stay to supper. Old Uncle Lias kept piling up the fire, and the scene was so homelike—and then it was Christmas night!