“Nothing important, Hodgson,” said Betty, in a restrained tone. “I’ve just decided to visit Miss Wheeler. Call Perkins to be here in half an hour. I’m going to pack.”
“Miss Betty” — Hodgson’s voice was pleading — “you must tell me what is the matter!”
The girl could not resist the old servant’s plea. She realized that Hodgson was the only person in whom she could confide, for she had lived a lonely life for many years, with only her uncle and this servant.
If there should be danger in the house, it was but right to tell Hodgson. She felt sure that Bob Galvin would not do so.
She drew the servant aside and told him what had happened the night before. Hodgson nodded.
“It would be best for you to go, Miss Betty,” he declared. “Things are not right here. I don’t know what you saw. It might have been—”
“A ghost?” questioned Betty, half laughing in spite of herself.
“Perhaps, Miss Betty,” declared Hodgson solemnly. “A man was killed in that very room while you were away. I found his body.”
The statement horrified Betty. She was not superstitious, yet this revealment caught her unaware.
She was about to question Hodgson when Bob appeared from the dining room. Betty turned and went upstairs. She heard Bob tell Hodgson that he was going out.