“Nonsense!” exclaimed the 'Squire. “Follow me, or you may stay here if you are frightened.”
This Hannah would by no means do, since the 'Squire had taken the lamp and she would be left in the dark.
Accordingly she followed him with a trembling step, as he penetrated through the kitchen into the back room, ready to run at the least alarm.
The back-door was wide open, but nothing was to be seen of the ghost.
“Perhaps the ghost's up-stairs,” said Hannah, “I can't sleep up there this night, shure.”
But something had attracted Squire Newcome's attention. It was quite muddy out of doors, and Ben had tracked in considerable mud with him. The footprints were very perceptible on the painted floor.
“The ghost seems to have had muddy shoes,” said the 'Squire dryly; “I guess I can find him.”
He followed the tracks which witnessed so strongly against Ben, to whose chamber they led.
Ben, though still awake, appeared to be in a profound slumber.
“Ben-ja-min!” said his father, stooping over the bed.