But Roland sighed for a gun; and at midnight, arming himself with a fishing-rod and a broom, he determined to descend to the “peace-room” and stand guard till morning.
There, presently, the weary lad went sound asleep; to awake startled by the apparition of a white-clad figure before him, and to hear the sibilant whisper, “How—do—you—like—to—live—in—a—haunted—house?”
CHAPTER XI.
MISS JOANNA.
“OH! did I frighten you? Don’t—for mercy’s sake! don’t hit me! Why—it’s I—Bonny!”
“Well! I should think you might be better employed! Why didn’t you stay in your own room?”
“Couldn’t sleep. Why didn’t you?”
“Same reason. Besides, if the household is in danger I am the one to defend it. Go to bed.”
“I am the one to help you. Aren’t you glad we didn’t try to sleep over here alone, as we wanted to? I wonder if Mr. Brook knows anything about this! He would not allow us, do you remember? He said we would be more comfortable at their home, even after we had gotten the beds set up.”
“I do not think he knew. I am sure if he did he would have warned us. Hark! There it goes again! It is—it certainly is just by that west door. It sounds as if it came from the earth.”
“It sounds as if it came from everywhere.