Boody nodded.
"Spent the night at the sheriff's house. Couldn't drive in. He's coming in a couple of hours."
Mrs. Boody went out for some more coffee. Larson, managing a smile, said:
"Guess we can go hunting without worrying about anything—except bear."
Norma tickled her husband between well padded ribs.
"Take Floyd along. He'll chase all the bears to the other side of the mountain."
Floyd grinned.
"Guess you boys can take care of yourselves."
Roy Starr hadn't taken an active part in the conversation for some time. He brought his fist down on the table with a bang.
"To hell with the phantom," he stood up. "Ten minutes ago you were all tied up inside with a damned silly superstition. Now you're kidding yourselves that everything is okay. You're still ready to believe in ghosts and goblins at a moment's notice. What's the matter? We all too scared to think clearly for ourselves?"