Besides the persons named, there were in the parlor nearly all the servants connected in any way with the establishment.
It looked as if the colonel was holding court.
One of the servants seemed to be giving testimony. The expressions on the faces of the others showed deep interest and superstitious terror.
Nick had no doubt about what was going on. The colonel was getting to the bottom of the ghost stories. There must have been more manifestations that night.
The detective was in doubt whether to enter the house in his own character. Finally he decided not to do so.
He disguised himself in the character of John Gilder, the coachman, who was not present in the parlor.
It seemed best to gain access to the room from an entrance toward the old part of the house instead of from the main hall.
So Nick passed around the corner of the house. As he did so he was aware of a dark figure crouching in the shadow.
He instantly grappled with it, and the figure was not less prompt in grappling with him.
The struggle was very brief. It ended with Nick on top, and no harm done.