"A benighted traveler, who has lost his way, and wishes to obtain shelter for the night."
"The house is already full of guests, and I cannot take any more."
"Let him in;" said Bill, whose voice Eveline recognized. "He may be worth taking in, you know."
The man then called out:
"My guests think you can be accommodated; so you may come in, I reckon, and share such fare and lodging as we can give, which are none the best."
"If you will show me the way to the stable, I will first see to my horse," said the traveler.
The host pointed out a shed where the beast could stand, and soon the two returned to the house.
The moment the new-comer entered the door, Bill and Dick cast inquiring glances at each other; paleness as of death was on their cheeks, and superstitious alarm at their hearts; for in the stranger they beheld Charles Hadley! Was it his ghost come to torment them in the hour of their triumph and security? Several minutes passed before they could be assured of his identity, that he was veritably flesh and blood, and not a spirit. It was well for them that the obscure light of the room cast their features in shadow, or their blanched cheeks and disquiet looks might have betrayed them. In a very short time they found it convenient, as on a former occasion, when seeking the life of the same man, to go out to see after their horses.
"Well, Dick!" said Bill, when they were alone, "What now?"
"D——n me, ef I didn't think the dead had come to life, when I first seen that feller! He must be bullet proof, for I placed my pistol plumb ag'in' him when I fired. I'm half a mind to believe yet that it's his ghost."