“You seen a ghost?” inquired Texas.
“No, gentlemen,” said the Parson. “But I have seen some one or something that I should be glad to know was a ghost, something more marvelous than any hitherto recorded, spiritualistic manifestation. And I am sorely perplexed.”
After this and a little more of similar introduction the Parson finally managed to get down to business and tell to his horrified (oh, yes!) companions the tale of his adventure.
“Say look a-here, Parson,” demanded Texas, when he had finished, “you expect us to believe that aire yarn?”
“That’s what I say!” added Mark. “He’s trying to fool us.”
“Gentlemen,” protested the other, “do I look like a man who was joking?”
He didn’t for a fact; he looked like a man who had been through a flour mill.
“But that don’t make any difference,” vowed Mark. “You’re just putting on thet face to help deceive us.”
“By Zeus!” exclaimed the Parson. “Gentlemen, I swear to you that I am serious. I swear it by the bones of my grandfather. I swear——”
“Make it grandmother,” hinted Texas.