Dick turned on them, and shook his head as if to intimate that even such communications were out of order. Then he started to get his sheet fixed, Nat having previously torn places in each covering so that they could be used for peep holes.
By the time four of them had rigged themselves out in these ridiculous costumes, the parlor of Deacon Nocker’s big house looked as though it might be the assembling place for the whole ghost tribe.
After glancing about to make sure all was ready, Nat gave Dick the signal agreed upon. From that time forward he wanted Dick to take the lead, since it was up to the other to do what speaking was required.
They could see that there was a light in the library, for a line under the connecting door betrayed this fact. The window being open, every one plainly heard the not far-distant town clock begin to strike the witching hour of midnight.
Hardly had the last solemn clang died away when a deep groan arose, Dick being the one to start the ball rolling. He waited to ascertain what the effect might be before repeating the performance.
Evidently, Deacon Nocker had heard the groan, for they caught the sound of his chair falling over in his haste to jump to his feet. The question now was whether he would be afraid to look in on them as they hoped. But all doubt on that score was quickly dissipated, for the old man suddenly threw the door wide open, and then started back at sight of what he saw beyond.
The four who were covered with the sheets all pointed straight at the owner of the house, just as they had read supposed-to-be ghosts always did. Elmer, Dan and Andy, not possessing any ghostly apparel, had hidden themselves behind sundry articles of bulky furniture, whence they peered out as best they might in the endeavor to see all the “fun.”
At first sight it appeared as though Deacon Nocker was a badly frightened man, especially when a mysterious and solemn voice sounding very creepy, and coming from overhead, was heard.
“Be warned, rash mortal,” it said. “We have come from the land of spirits to tell you to mend your ways before it is too late. Love your neighbors, and do good. If they smite you on one cheek turn the other. Help the poor and needy when the cold winds of winter begin to blow. Your time on earth is short, and you will have no other chance. Listen, ponder, and act!”
Considering that Dick had such a short time in which to think up what he ought to say when pointing his hand at the old deacon this was not so bad. Some of his companions considered it highly entertaining; indeed, Elmer, or was it Andy, safe in his place of concealment, even ventured to chuckle. This sound may have given the alarmed old man the first suspicion that his ghostly visitors were something more than they seemed to be in that half-darkened room.