"The foolish boy? Ah, that is something after all, at least, I hope it will prove so. Well?"
"It was slow work, for the boy has been terribly frightened. His story is most absurd."
"No matter, tell it in your own way."
"He says still that he saw a ghost—a live ghost. That it arose out of the bushes and waved its arms at him. It was dressed 'all in white like big sheets,' Peter said, and its face was black, with white eyes. It spoke to him 'very low and awful,' and told him to lie down and put his face to the ground until it went back into its grave. If he looked, or even told that he had seen a ghost, the grave would open and swallow him too. Then it held up a 'shiny big knife' and he tumbled over in sheer fright. After a long time he began to crawl toward the road; and when he at last looked around and saw no ghost anywhere, he ran as fast as he could. I am afraid," Hilda added, "that you'll think as I do, that some of the school boys have played the poor child a trick, or else that he has imagined it all. It's too absurd to credit. Still, as you made a point of being told at once of whatever I might learn from Peter, I kept my promise. I'm afraid I've spoiled your luncheon." She finished with a wan little half smile.
The detective's face was very grave and he did not speak at once.
"Is it possible," she ejaculated, "that you find anything in the boy's story?"
Ferrars leaned forward and took her hand. "Miss Grant," he said gravely, "I believe that poor foolish Peter saw Charles Brierly's murderer."
He got up quickly. "Do you think the boy could be got to show you where he saw this apparition?"
"I asked him that. He thinks he might dare to go if he were protected by 'big mans.'"
"Then, arrange to leave your school for a short time, at, say two o'clock. I shall get Doran and his surrey. Have the boy ready——"