“Here we am, sah,” he whispered, glancing about fearful, “an’ de good Lord knows I ‘se glad tain’t no furder.  You just han’ me a dollar, sah, an’ den I ‘se goin’ fur to git out o’ dis.”

“Is that the house in there?”

“Suah, you ought for to know dat.  Tain’t changed none, ’cept run down a bit, far as I know.  Here am your grips, sah.”

We had no sooner alighted than he wheeled his team, and departed, whipping the horses into a run.  I felt her hand grip my sleeve, and glanced aside into her face.

“Frightened?” I asked, endeavoring to speak easily.  “Don’t let that fellow bother you; surely you do not believe in spooks?”

“No,” her voice trembling, “but it is all so desolate.  I—­I wish we had waited until daylight.”

“Well, frankly, so do I,” I responded, “but the thought comes too late.  There is nothing left us but to try the house; we cannot pass the night out here.”

“No, oh, no!”

“Then come on,” and I picked up the suit cases.  “We will probably be laughing at ourselves in five minutes.  You will have to unlatch the gate.”

It was held in place by a sagging rope, but opened noiselessly, and we advanced onto a brick walk, so little used as to be half hidden by weeds growing in the crevices.  The moon dimly revealed rank vegetation on either side, while ahead, beneath the tree shadows, the darkness was profound.  There was no sound, no faintest gleam of light to indicate the house, and I was compelled to advance cautiously to keep to the path, which apparently wound about in the form of a letter “S.”  We were at the foot of the front steps, the building itself looming black before us, almost before we realized its nearness.  I could perceive the outlines indistinctly, and the deserted desolation affected me strangely.  Perhaps some of the negro’s superstition had got into my blood, for I felt my heart leap when the girl suddenly sobbed, clutching me in an agony of fear.  Yet the very knowledge of her fright stiffened my resolution, and I dropped the grips to clasp both her hands.

“Don’t!” I insisted.  “I know the place looks leery enough, but Pete said the overseer and housekeeper were here.  Doubtless they are in the back rooms.  Wait here until I go up and rouse them.”

“Oh, no; I could not stand it to be left alone.”

“All right; here, take my hand, and we ’ll go up together.”

They were broad wooden steps, leading to a wide porch, the roof supported by heavy columns.  Beyond was the dark bulk of the house, shapeless in the gloom.  We were within a single step of the top when a man—­seemingly a huge figure—­suddenly emerged from the shadow of a column, and confronted us.

“What ther hell,” he ejaculated sullenly, “are you doin’ here?”

I paused with foot uplifted, too astounded at the apparition to respond, conscious my companion had shrunk behind.