Forrester was thunderstruck, and therefore speechless for a moment. This was too good to be true. "My name is Sturtevant," the girl continued. Then added, with one of her mischievous smiles, "_Miss_ Sturtevant." "I shall be very glad, indeed, to deliver your letter, Miss Sturtevant," said Forrester. "Or if you prefer to wait until Saturday, you can deliver it in person as you first intended to do. We move out to 'Woodmere’ on Saturday." Forrester had no sooner said this than he could have kicked himself. He had wanted to have a look at the place she occupied and he might now be throwing away the opportunity. When he recalled the negro’s words, it had seemed as if the girl lived alone. If she did, it would be both odd and suspicious under the circumstances. Forrester was anxious to ascertain this fact definitely, and he was pleased when the girl disregarded his suggestion. "If you don’t mind," she said, "I should like to have you come over to the house now and get the letter." "I shall be delighted," returned Forrester, this time without qualification. "If it is only a short distance I will walk." "It is a very short distance," informed the girl. "It would be hardly worth while starting up your car." Then she added, "Especially if you plan to return here." Forrester glanced up at her quickly, but she was already turning her horse back to the road and he did not meet her eye. Whether or not she had some object in what she said, or was simply poking fun at him, he could not tell. Miss Sturtevant kept her horse down to an easy walk and Forrester found no difficulty in maintaining his place at her side. She made no further reference to the tree and its evil repute, so Forrester did not again bring up the subject, leading their light chatter instead into comments upon the surrounding country. The Bradbury house, which Forrester now knew had been taken by Miss Sturtevant, stood only a short distance back from the road, and as they turned into the gate Forrester could see an elderly woman on the porch. A few minutes later she was introduced to him as Mrs. Morris, and during the short talk he had with her, while Miss Sturtevant was getting her letter, he gathered that she was a paid companion to the girl. Miss Sturtevant quickly returned with the letter for his mother, and after a few brief words, which included an invitation to Forrester to come again, they parted. At the gate Forrester met the big negro, Joshua. "Hello, Joshua," he greeted the negro. "Howdy-do, suh." "Any new stories about that haunted tree, Joshua?" "No, _suh_! Mah Missey done say Ah talk too much." And the negro hurried on. Forrester wondered as he returned along the road toward the tree. CHAPTER IX—LUCY