"I never did take any stock in this rot about ghosts, but——"
"Beware, young man, how you mock at the spirits of the departed!"
The voice seemed to come from one of the alcove bedrooms, and it was of the sort to make the hair stand on the head of a superstitious person.
"Oh, dunder und blitzen!" panted Hans. "Dot vos a shook! Uf I don't ged avay oud uf here righd off, I peen gone grazy! I don'd vant any shook in mine!"
"It is some fellow playing a joke on us," said Harvey Dare, angrily. "Some one has concealed himself in there. Bring the light, fellows, and we will soon find out."
He started for the alcove, but no one seemed anxious to take the light and follow him. After a moment, however, Frank did so.
All through both alcoves Harvey searched, and his face was rather pale when he and Frank returned to the table.
"What did you find?" asked Wat Snell, thickly.
"Not a thing but dust," replied Harvey. "There hasn't been a living soul in either of those bedrooms since the room was closed after the suicide."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the hollow voice. "You are right. They dare not come, but I am doomed to stay here till this building shall crumble and decay."