As they drew near, its lines became more clearly defined; it was undoubtedly of human shape, but apparently it had no head, only a pair of short, stubby arms, which waved wildly in the air, and a pair of legs that danced frantically. Near at hand it was even more terrifying than at a distance, and their pace grew slower and slower, while Reddy stopped short where he was, his teeth chattering, his eyes staring. They could hear what seemed to be a human voice proceeding from the figure, raised in a sort of weird incantation, now high, now low. Was it really a ghost? Allan asked himself; was it really the spirit of the poor fellow whose life had been crushed out a few weeks before? could it be.... [Illustration: “NEAR AT HAND IT WAS EVEN MORE TERRIFYING THAN AT A DISTANCE”] Suddenly Jack laughed aloud with relief, and hurried forward. “Come on,” he called. “It’s no ghost!” And in a moment Allan saw him reach the figure and pull the white garment down over its head, disclosing a flushed and wrathful, but very human, face. “Thankee, sir,” said a hoarse voice to Jack. “A lady in th’ house back there give me a clean shirt, an’ I was jest puttin’ it on when I got stuck in th’ durn thing, an’ couldn’t git it either way. I reckon I’d ’a’ suffocated if you hadn’t come along!” Jack laughed again. “We thought you was a ghost!” he said. “You scared Reddy, there, out of a year’s growth, I reckon. Come here, Reddy,” he called, “an’ take a look at yer ghost!” Reddy came cautiously forward and examined the released tramp. “Well,” he said, at last, “if you ain’t a ghost, you ought t’ be! I never seed anything that looked more loike one!” “No, an’ you never will!” retorted Jack. “Come along; it’s time we was home,” and leaving the tramp to complete his toilet, they hurried away. They found Mary sitting on the front porch, crooning softly to herself as she rocked Mamie to sleep. They bade Reddy good night, and sat down beside her. “Well, did y’ have a nice time?” she asked. “Yes,” laughed Jack, and told her the story of the ghost. They sat silent for a time after that, looking down over the busy yards, breathing in the cool night air, watching the moon as it sailed slowly up the heavens. Allan felt utterly at rest; for the first time in many days he felt that he had a home, that there were people in the world who loved him. The thought brought the quick tears to his eyes; an impulse to confide in these new friends surged up within him. “I want to tell you something about myself,” he said, turning to them quickly. “It’s only right that you should know.” Mrs. Welsh stopped the lullaby she had been humming, and sat quietly waiting. “Just as y’ please,” said Jack, but the boy knew he would be glad to hear the story.