Were that actually the case, then, it was positive evidence that the person was secreted in the dwelling--an idea foolish and incredible on the face of it, for many reasons. However, I was in earnest, now, about the matter; I would ascertain the truth or explode the falsehood, and make an end of it, before painful reports should reach the ears of friends, or every idle ragamuffin in the country make that hallowed place, consecrated by the ties and memories of the one now gone, the focus of his vulgar curiosity. "Where is your husband?" "He's sortin' pertaters, or tyin' up seeds, in the loft." "Please call him down, and give me the keys of the house." The gardener came, following very reluctantly, at my bidding, while I again entered the villa, and went over every room, stationing him in the hall, so that no one could possibly escape during my visit to the lower and upper floors. I searched from cellar to garret, while Mrs. Scott, with her pale-blue eyes wide open, and affecting a bustling bravery which her looks belied, accompanied me. Once, at a sudden noise, she seized the skirts of my overcoat, but resigned them when I told her it was caused by John's shutting the front hall-door. "Dear! dear! there's rats in the villa, at last!" she exclaimed, removing the cover of a flour-barrel which stood in the store-room. "They've been in this flour! I'm sorry, for they're an awful pest. They'll make trouble if I don't watch 'em clost. I believe I'll pizen 'em. Mrs. Moreland told me to take this flour home and use it up; but we haven't needed it yet, and I've left it here, and now they've made pretty work with it." "If there are rats here, I shan't be surprised at all kinds of noises," I remarked. "Rats are equal to almost any thing. They will tramp like an army of men, or stalk like a solitary burglar. They will throw down plates and cups--like this one, broken on the floor here, since we came here last; muss pillows and drag books out of place. You really will have to keep a sharp lookout." "They won't cry like a child, nor moan like a sick person, nor stand on balconies dressed in shrouds!" observed the housekeeper. "I think they would do the first two," and I smiled, "but as to the latter, I'm not prepared to assert." "I reckon not. I only wish you'd seen it, Mr. Redfield." "I shall stay to-night in the hope of that pleasure, Mrs. Scott." "I'm right glad to hear you say so, sir. It's not pleasant to be placed in the situation I am--to know what I know, and not to have my word taken." It was true; it could not be pleasant for her to have her earnest statements received with so much skepticism; I did not wonder that she felt hurt, almost offended; at the same time I felt as if I, in my turn, should be intensely aggravated if I found out there was nothing in all this flurry.