Just at that moment Ham was re-entering the room with a tray laden with good things.
From outside there came a sudden, sobbing sound. It was followed, instantly, by a long-drawn-out wail. Instantly this was taken up by a chorus of high-pitched, unearthly shrieks.
Crash! Ham dropped the tray and its contents, which went to smash in the middle of the room.
“Dere it am—oh, Lawdy, dere it am!” yelled Ham Mockus, sinking to his knees. “It’s It—de Ghost ob Alligator Swamp!”
CHAPTER X
THE VISITATION OF THE NIGHT
AS suddenly as it had started the weird noise died away.
“Get up, Ham, you idiot,” commanded Henry Tremaine, crisply.
“Ah—Ah’s shuah scahd to death!” stuttered the negro, looking up appealingly, but not rising from his knees.