The Argosy — page 116: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

In the Dead of Nighi. 101 not go, all three of us, a few minutes before twelve; and, accompanied by two or three of the servants who shall be chosen by the rest as a deputation, station ourselves close to the door of the nailed-up room, and there await the result? JI do not for one moment anticipate that we Shall either see or hear anything out of the ordinary way. Once let us prove this to the satisfaction of the servants, and I don’t think that we shall be troubled with much more nonsense about ghostly footsteps or appearances at Park Newton.” “‘Not a bad idea, Dick, by any means,” said the General. ‘‘ What Say you, Kester?” Kester had pushed back his chair from the table while Richard was speaking. There was a strange look on his face: in his eyes terror, on his lips a derisive smile. He emptied his glass before answering. ‘Faith, sir,” he said, ‘‘it seems to me that you attach far too much importance to the cackling of these idiots. I would treat their asser- tions with the contempt they deserve, and send the whole crew about their business before they were two days older. Your presence there, as it seems to me, would be like a confession of your belief in the possible truth of certain statements: which are really so childish that no sensible person can treat them otherwise than with the most supreme contempt.” “I hardly agree with you there, Kester,” said General St. George. ‘“Qur presence would be like a guarantee of good faith, and would set the question at rest at once and for ever. At all events, the plan is one which I mean to try, and I should like both of you to be there with me. Richard, you can arrange for certain of the servants to be ready a few minutes before midnight.” ‘* Really, sir, I should feel obliged if you would excuse me from accompanying you,” said Kester. ‘“‘I have a bad headache to-night, and intend to get between the sheets as soon as possible.” “ Pooh—pooh—pooh!” said the General, hastily. ‘I shall not excuse you. Hang your headaches! When I was a young fellow we left headaches to the women, and did not know what such things ' were ourselves. I have set my mind on having a game of back- gammon with you this evening, and I shall not let you go.” His uncle’s tone was so peremptory that Kester dared not say another word. He sat down again in silence. At five minutes before twelve, they all met in the library—General _ St. George, Richard, Kester, and a deputation from the servants’ hall, headed by Finch with a pair of lighted candles. Finch led the way through the cold and dismal passages, up the black oaken staircase, through the dreary picture gallery, where the portrait of each dead and gone St. George looked down inquiringly and seemed to ask the meaning of so strange a procession ; and so at last they reached the GOMLGD OO SS Go mM