Detective and mystery stories; Wise, Pennington (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
"A phantom appeared to me," Tracy began, "just as the hall clock struck
four. I wasn't asleep, of that I'm sure, but I was suddenly aware of a
presence in the room. A tall, misty shape seemed to take form as I
looked, and it had the appearance of a woman with a shawl over her head.
She drew near to me, and I could see her face, and it was that of a
skull. I was stunned, rather than frightened, and when I tried to call
out, I could make no sound. The thing faded away as gradually as it had
appeared, and after a time I regained a normal state of nerves. I don't
want to be an alarmist, or frighten anybody, but I--well, I confess I
didn't enjoy the experience, and I take occasion to say now, that I shall
leave here to-day. I'm going to Boston, and will return at any time, if
for any reason my presence is desired or my affidavit wanted as a
witness. You all know what I've thought about this whole matter. While
not a spiritualist, I've preserved an open mind toward any revelations we
may have had, and I'm always ready to be convinced. And I may say the
sight I saw last night has gone far to convince me. But I don't care to
see it again," Tracy shuddered, "and at risk of being thought cowardly,
I've determined to go away. I had intended to go shortly, anyway, and I
prefer to go to-day."
"I don't blame you, old chap," said Braye, heartily; "there's no reason
why you should jeopardize your nervous system by exposing it to further
shocks. Let Mr. Wise take down the details of your story, keep in touch
with us as to your whereabouts and where we can communicate with you, and
go ahead. I don't blame you one bit. In fact, if any one else wants to
leave, no objections will be made. How about you, Professor?"
"I want to stay, please. I'm terribly interested in the matter, and I
think Mr. Wise is making progress, and will make more, rapidly. I'm
anxious to stay."
"I'm game, too," said Landon. "In fact I think we all want to see it
through, except Mr. Tracy, and he is not so closely associated with the
case as the rest of us."
So Tracy went, about noon of that day, and left an address that he said
would always reach him, wherever he might be temporarily.
Milly and Norma regretted his going, for they had come to like the grave,
kindly man, but Eve seemed not to care; and the men were all so
interested in the work of Penny Wise, that they only gave a hearty
good-bye and Godspeed to the departing cleric.
"Queer, that spook should appear to him," said Wise, after Mr. Tracy had
gone.
"He told me some time ago," said Norma, reminiscently, "that he often
heard strange sounds at four in the morning. He said they were like faint
moans and rustlings and sometimes a soft step along the halls."
"Did he ever see anything before?" asked Zizi.
"I don't think so. He was not very communicative about it, anyway. I
think he was nervous on the subject."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account