I wondered if she were right, and once again murderous wishes toward the Polydores entered my brain, and I made renewed vows about disposing of them on our return home.
One thing, however, had been accomplished by our expedition. Silvia was more lenient in her judgment on my indulgences of the preceding night.
By the time we pulled in at the landing, Silvia had recovered her equilibrium.
“Lucien, what the devil do you suppose was in that house?” asked Rob, when we were putting up the boat.
“Loons and things,” I allowed.
“But what was that white arm?”
“Some fake thing the village wag has put up to scare the natives.”
Next morning’s stage brought some new arrivals, and among them were two college students who at once were claimed by Beth. She played tennis with one and later went rowing with the other. Rob smoked and sulked, apart.
My farmer friend had been garrulous and rumors of the ghost and the haunted house had come to the ears of the hotel inmates, thereby causing a pleasurable stir of excitement. A number of them announced their intention of visiting the place. They asked me to be their guide, but I refused.