"I will not have an officer in my house; no need."
"But, madam, who is it insulting me?"
"I do not know."
The landlady was as much dazed and mystified as any one.
The voice, however, ceased—became hushed; but a strange feeling pervaded those who had been witnesses and listeners during the strange scene. One after the other they rose and left the table and the room. Goodlove and Ike remained. The fellow looked over at Ike sharply and said:
"Say, my friend, did you notice who used the insulting language?"
The voice was again heard. It appeared to come from the hall and the words were:
"That young man does not know anything about it. Don't question him, you thief."
Goodlove rushed out to the hall. There was not a soul there. He ran up the stairs, but saw no one. Each one of the boarders had either retired to his room or had gone out. Ike left the table and passed Goodlove in the hall. He did not speak to the man, but went to the hatrack, secured his hat and stepped out to the street. Goodlove meantime entered the parlor and commenced pacing the floor. The landlady joined him.
"Madam," he said, "this is a most extraordinary occurrence."