"Confess!" said the ghostly voice.
"I will," said Job. "I'm a smuggler, we are all smugglers, but the captain is the chief; he drives us to it and takes the money—oh, mercy, Maester Leicester!—and knows a secret way through the dead squire's room to the beach! The captain knows! and the captain sent you away Maester Leicester, and murdered you as he did Jem Starling. Spare me, Maester Leicester, and I'll tell all if they hang me for it. I've meant to do it many a time, but now your ghost has come I'll do it, or you'd never leave me! Oh, Lord! oh, Lord!"
"Confess," said the ghost, drawing near.
"I will! I will!" screamed Job, and then he fell face downward upon the earth in a swoon of horror.
At that moment two figures sprang out from the darkness.
One was Stumpy with a lantern, the other Mr. Thaxton.
Both rushed at the prostrate man, over whom the ghost was bending.
Stumpy seized Job, Mr. Thaxton seized the ghost, and commenced tearing off its shroud.
"Stop!" said a voice. "Stay your hand, Mr. Thaxton. I am indeed Leicester Dodson."