What had they seen? Why, only the head and shoulders of a passing figure in the orange light of the two windows. It had appeared but one moment—next it was gone. Rifles in left hand, revolvers in right, they cautiously approached the ruin and entered. Never a soul was here. They went out again, and looked around; they even searched the ombu-tree, but all in vain. 240
'Our eyes must have deceived us,' said Dugald.
'I think,' said Archie, 'I have a theory that might explain the mystery.'
'What is it, then?'
'Well, that was no living figure we saw.'
'What! You don't mean to say, Archie, it was a ghost?'
'No, but a branch of that ghostly ombu-tree moved by a passing wind between us and the light.'
As he spoke they rounded the farthest off gable of the ruin, and there both stopped as suddenly as if shot. Close beside the wall, with some rude digging tools lying near, was a newly-opened grave!
'This is indeed strange,' said Dugald, remembering old Jenny's warning and dream; 'I cannot make it out.'
'Nor can I. However, we must make the best of it.'