The Hannted Castle

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 23

The Hannted Castle

BY L. K. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN.

CHAPTER I. — A DREAM.

Ix would be impossible to find in the wide world a more thorough disbeliever in ghosts than I was in the year 18 — . An Eton boy, frill of life and spirits, fearless and active, I was the last person to believe in anything approaching to humbug. That is what I should have said in those days, and I say it now to show you how ungenial was the soil which was yet destined to produce a goodly crop of faith. In that said year, 18—, Harry Bandeswyke and I, aged respectively eighteen and seventeen, matriculated together at College, Oxford. We were great friends and constant companions, Harry and I, and were as different in every way as great friends generally are. Ho was a big fellow, six feet six without his shoes, brave, sweet-tempered, silent, lazy. A man to sleep soundly through a Walpurgis Night, to yawn and go to sleep again if he chanced to_ wake while the spirits raged around him. I was slight and excitable, with a quick tempei-, and no lack of words. Yet we were sworn allies.

He was heir to a goodly property in Wales, which, however, he had never seen. It belenged to distant cousins, and besides a fine old castle and many acres of mountain, there was a fine old quarrel to keep up. With a lamentable want of respect for the originators of the feud, the present possessor of that great privilege appeared inclined to stretch forth the hand of friendship to his heir. In point of fact he did stretch forth that hand at the time my story begins, and invited Harry to spend the vacation at the Dumberdene, for this was the extraordinary name of an extraordinary place. Harry was engaged to mej; but his answer to that effect produced a cordial invitation to bring his friend with him, wo at once resolved to go.

It was a long journey in those days, and we arrived late after a tedious drive, for the Dumbcrdene was in the wildest p ar t o f } far in the mountains. The evening gloom was deepening as we turned into the park, and even then we had anothor three-quarters of an hour's work before us ; for, after o short run on level ground, we began to ascend another interminable mountain zig-zag. At length, after a short pull more abrupt than any we had experienced, the carriage came to a stop, and I exclaimed with regret that it was too dark to see the house. We were mistaken. It was only too dark because we were already in the house. The carriage rolled forward once more through a short passage cut out of the rock, and we found ourselves in a hall of vast dimensions, lighted by a huge lamp in the centre, and a bonfire of wood at each end. This was our first entrance into the Dumberdene. We both burst out laughing with boyish glee. Ah, could we have foreseen how sadly linked with our future lives, was much that was very near us then, but of which we little dreamed ! Wo were most kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Bandeswyke, and their only child Gwen. I suppose the name of the latter was Gwendolin, but I never hoard her called anything but Gwen. She was tall, fair, and stately. A face calm and self-possessed ; grand with the beauty of a pure and truthful spirit pourtrayed in each feature : a woman to trust in the hour of danger. Her father was, with the exception of Harry, the most silent man ever T met ; perpetually brooding over— what 1 A crime 1 a mystery I a problem ? The mother was commonplace enough ; small, dark, active, and energetic ; managiug everything and everybody, and talking enough for husband, child, and cousin. Wo were alone. Mrs. Bandeswyke told us with many apologies that the friends avlio were asked to meet us could not arrive till the following day. She feared we should find it dull. I feared so too, and vehemently assorted the contrary. Gwen was evidently not the young lady to amuse my passing hour. Harry's silence always appeared sufficient unto him. The family retired to rest early, leaving us alone. Mr. Bandoswyko apologised in fewer words than I should have thought possible. Ho was somewhat of an invalid. Ho hoped we should make ourselves quite at home. "Lively work," said I, as the door closed ; " I moan to go mad, Harry, will you i" "Certainly." "It is a queer old place. Fancy rumbling into the ancestral hall in one's own carriage. I don't half like it. It is producing a bad effect on my delicate constitution. I feel ghostly all over. lam already sufforing from ghost of the hoart, ghost in all my limbs, very bad ghost indeed in my head and face, and shall Bhortly die of delirium ghostums. Harry ? "Well?" , . " How do you feel in the abode of your ancestors 1" No answer, To this I Wftis accustomed,

and I rattled on as usual ; walking restlessly about the room, peering behind the tall old-fashioned screens, and looking into the quaint cabinets. Presently I; proposed that we should explore the rooms near us. ' ' No, "said Harry, in a voice which meant no. He would have done it in any other house, but this was to be his own some day. Then I suggertert that we should go out and smoke. It was our last new accomplishment, for those were days when boys did not smoke until they were _ called young men, and girls did not flirt till they were seventeen. We have changed all that now, and the poor young people are no longer deprived of these privileges for four oi' five years. Harry rose, and stalked to the door. We had some difficulty in finding our way out. In fact, we wandered to the butler's room, and had to be set right and to enencounter sundry remonstrances from that individual, an old and privileged servant. It was pitch dark when we stood outside the house, but presently the moon passed from behind a cloud, and we stepped forward to have a look at the place. It was an enormous pile of building, very ancient, especially one portion, which, partially in a ruinous state, stretched awajr so far among trees, foliage, and mountains, that in the pale moonlight we could not discern where it ended. We both uttered an exclamation of astonishment, and I turned to Harry with a low bow, and congratulated him on his heirship to this mass of 1 ghostliness and ruin. "Don't be an ass," said Harry, as he moved towards the house, for at this moment the moon was again obscured, and a driving rain set in. We had gone out by a side door, and though we returned by the same, wo again lost our way, and found ourselves, after much wandering, once more in the great entrance hall. I knew that our rooms were not far off, and professing an accurate knowledge, I went on first with the light. Harry lingered, and I looked back to see why he did not follow me. He was standing at the entrance of the passage down which I had turned, and was groping about with his right hand, as if struck with sudden blindness.

" What is the matter ?" said I. "Come on can't you ?" " I can't find tho handle of the door," said he, still fumbling. "What door r

"The door you shut." " I shut no door. There is no door," said I, laughing ; but it just passed through my mind, though I did not remember it till afterwards, that his voice did sound muffled, as if a door were shut between us. I stepped back into the hall. There was no door ; and as we walked back together, I laughed at Harry, and asked him if he did not think he too was suffering from delirium ghostums, or at least a slight attack of ghosts in the joints. It was the wrong passage after all, for it ended in a real door of immense thickness, bolted and barred. Soon after that we found our way to our rooms, and went to bed.

I had a dream. Such a dream. I was wandering about the house again with Harry. Endless passages, dark, gloomy, and damp, crowded with pictures and quaint old furniture ; long low rooms, dimly lighted by deep slits of windows, over which the ivy hung in thick festoons. Presently I stumbled, and fell rather heavily against a projecting fireplace, one side of which started back with a creak, leaving an aperture large enough to admit a man. Through this we crept into a room. It was small and many cornered, crowded with rubbish and pervaded by a faint sickly odour. Blackbcctlcs and other huge insects raced across the floor as we advanced. The ceiling was covered with flat globular insects, nearly an inch in size, and sending forth a dreary creaking sound. " What can these bo I" said I ; and something seemed to answer, "These are cocoons." These creatures have nothing to do with my tale. I did not at tho time know the meaning of the word, and I merely mentioned tho circumstance as part of my dream, proving that it was a bonci-fiile one, characterised as dreams usually are by all that is odd and unconnected.

A mass of something which looked like a woman's dress lay in the window, but covered with the dust of centuries and undistinguishable in the dim light, for tho room was low and dark, and the shuttors half-closed. As our eyes became accustomed to the gloom, we perceived in one corner a tattered bed ; it was very small, but its appearance was indescribably dreary, and we felt a horror that for some moments we recoiled from approaching it. Tho heavy tapestry curtains were closed all around. Every fold hung straight down, and seemed to breatho mystery. At longth we advanced together, and with trembling hands drew them back. On the bod lay the figure of a child in the dress of a century past, the head halfburied boneath one arm, the face turned to the wall. A luxxiriant growth of long fiacl-eoloured hair half concealed tho body.

Harry and I gazed in wondering incredulity. We dared not touch the cold still form. "We dared not look on the yemng dead face. As we gazed, a faint air stirred the heavy atmosphere, and we distinctly heard a whisper pass by us : "So has he lain for a hundred years." My heart was thumping against my side — drops stood on my forehead. I would have fled. Harry stopped me. His face was deadly white, his mouth firmly set as he leant over the body and gently turned the face to view. It was that of a beautiful child — a boy. Beautiful still, with a singular expression of sweetness and patience, in spite of the terrible emaciation, and of a quaint look of old age, which I have since learnt is produced by suffering and starvation. There were no signs of decay, but the flesh, for flesh it was though shrivelled, was of one uniform light-brown colour. As wo still gazed with painful fascination, the head still resting on Harry's arm, a long tremulous shiver ran through the whole frame, the eyelids slightly quivered, the limbs attempted a faint stretch, and then fallingfrom Harry's almost paralysed hands, the whole form fell back as before. We fled in uncontrollable horror. Here my dream became indistinct, and I can recall but two other incidents. Wo were still wandering about the house, with a feeling of awe and an ardent desire to find our way out, when, pausing for a moment in a dark passage, we both distinctly heard a deep sigh close to us ; and as we grasped one another's hands in horror, footsteps ajrproachod vs — uneven, halting foots tops, with a squeaking sound of iron against iron, as though one walked with an iron frame. Soon after this we were in a gloomy gallery, in which the pictures hung strangely, not against the wall, but from the ceiling. They were moved slowly and grimly backwards and forwards, by the draughts of the old building. One moved, not backwards and forwards, but up and down. It was the picture of a large fair woman, with a hateful face ; a cruel wicked fate. There was a slight squint in the eyes, and the heavy flaxen hair was brought very forward over the brow, and bunched out on each side. She was dressed in crimson velvet, over which hung long black robes, which swept the ground. In her hand was a lighted candle, which cast a lurid red light on her bare arm and one half of her face. In my dream I stopped before her, and with a ghastly effort to overcome the scene of terror, boldly asked her : " Why do you move like that ?" There was a long shivering whisper, every word as distinct as possible.

" Because I loved dancing too much in my past, and now they will not let me rest."

They were mocking tones, and instinctively I know that it was a lying whisper, and in my heart I hated that woman. Yet I could not leave her, and tauntingly I remarked on the quaintness of her long black robes, and said I should like to have them for a masquerade. I was no way surprised to sec her slide down from the ceiling and step out of her frame ; but I felt half strangled when, after talcing off the black robes, she passed her dead arm round my neck to fasten them upon me. Beautifully formed and white as snow, half that arm was of icy coldness — half burnt like fire. After that all was confusion. Only I know that Hurry was no longer with me. I was alone, yet not alone, for every picture was astir. Men, women, and childen stepped out of their frames, some turning and hanging them carefully up, others smashing every atom. They walked up and down, wringing their hands and moaning bitterly. The backgrounds were a sore puzzle to me ; some remained in the frames, but some still clung to the figures. That was the only thing that surprised me. If a picture disputed the passage with me, I merely replaced him in his frame. If he did it again, I hung him up. Some stood back to let mo pass, others turned to follow mo. One old man caught his wig in his own frame, and I was in the act of helping him, when I turned into a picture myself, and was hung to the ceiling by the cruelfaced woman.

At this moment I awoke, to find myself in bed, a person and not a picturo, but a more uncomfortable person than I over remember to have been before. Drops of moisturo stood on my face, my very hair was wet, my heart boat painfully, and when I tried to got up, 1 found myself too giddy to stand. It was tho very strongest possible proof of tho impression that dream had made that I did not at once call out for Harry. I staggcrod to tho tablo and took a long draught of water, and then staggered back to bod to recover as I could.

CHAPTER II.— AN ADVENTURE.

I managed to bo in time for broakfast, and to keep out of tho way of Harry's remarks until I had somewhat recovered myself ; but not one word of my dream did I breathe to him or anybody olse. The day was long and dull, to mo at least,

although it was chiefly spent in walking and riding over the property at some future time to be Harry's. He was not dull, for Gwen was with us all day ; and although it was hardly a case of love ac first sight, that good calm face had evidently a growing attraction for him. Mrs. Bandeswyke meant that it should be so, and ivas officious enough to have spoiled all. Harry, however, seemed scarcely aware of her existence in the fascination of her daughter's presence, and to the same cause I attributed his taking no notice of my unusual silence. After breakfast wo all set forth to look over the house, fiffet going out of doors to gain an idea of the exterior. I had never even imagined such a place. Its size alone made it remarkable, and the massive walls and buttresses, the enormous beams, and narrow loopholes of windows suggested the idea that it had been originally built for defence. It stood on a terrace or table-land of the mountain, which towered thousands of feet above it at the back, and descended precipitately about a hundred yards from the front. Yet few places could be more entirely concealed from view from below, for gigantic arms of rock formed a natural wall of great height on the edge of the precipice, entirely enclosing the castle, which was only approachable from two points. A short artificial tunnel hewn in rocks at the back, and guarded by a jiortcullis, admitted the carriage road into the very house, while a natural gap in the rocks in front let in a narrow view of the glorious landscape bolow, and formed the entrance to a short flight of steps leading directly to a mountain path Ariiich rivalled the Wengern Alp for abruptness and beauty. So completely was the castle, in the oldest part, built into the rock, that God's work and man's work were here hardly to be distinguished apart. The difficulty was increased by the partially -ruined state of this portion of the building, and still more so by one peculiar feature of this magnificent place, viz. the luxuriance of the trees and foliage. Three enormous cedars partially concealed the ruin from almost every point oE view, and the mass of foliage which crept down the mountain side entwined itself alike round rock nnd. stone, brick and buttress. The morning light showed us that the hall into which we had driven the night before divided the older building from the more modern part, which alone was inhabited, and I made the further discovery that our bedrooms were the last occupied rooms on that side, and were consequently adjoiuing the deserted portion of the castle. When we had looked and admired long enough, we passed through the great hall to the cloisters, and from thence to a gloomy chapel full of banners and escutcheons of many a generation past. At the end of all the sight-seeing, we found ourselves on the battlements, from which a fabulous number of counties an d churches were to be seen. We returned to the house by a trap -door and short steps into a low dark lobby, full of rubbish, boxes piled up, old furniture, injured pic- " The lumber-room," said Mr. Bandeswyke shortly, as he led the way rapidly to the staircase. My attention was attracted by a curious old screen, and I stopped to examine it. Behind it Avas a door so curious that I called to Harry to come and look at it. It was arched in form, and of immense strength, though very low. Five bands of iron nearly a fo.ot in breadth were nailed across it.

" Surely, sir, this is a curiosity," said I, turning to Mr. Bandcsvyyke. Ho was gone, but Gwen stood beside us. Gwen and Harry and 1. Ah, once more we were destined 10 stand side by side at that door !

"It is,," said she, answering my remark ; "it leads to tho old part of the house, which my father considers unsafe, so that it is never entered. I belie vo this door has sad associations for him. He never likes to hear it talked of."

At another timo I should have teased Gwen with boyish curiosity to tell us more, but tho oppression which 1 cnuM not shake off kept mo silent. By live o'clock the day set in for rain. By six, wo had ono of the most tremendous storms it has over been my lot to witness. Our ride had been cut short, and we were omploying ourselves as best wo might in the billiard-room, when tho door burst open, and tho old butler tottered into the room. There was that in his appearance which made us leave our game and gaze at him with astonishment. His head trembled, his dress and hair were disarranged and wot. Evidently he had been, out in the storm.

" Master, tho tree's down, and tbis is tho 26th August ! " ho oxclaimod in at. choked voice. And Mr. Bandeswyfco, tho last to see him, turned suddenly in the very act of playing, and promptly responded, "You old fool!" in a tone of sueli energy, and a manner so different from his usual reserve, that Harry and I looked at ono anothor in amazement. Mr, Bancteawyko. and his servant

vanished behind the swing-door almost as soon as the two sentences were uttered, and GAven recalled iis to our game Avith a composure which made us feel that the incident was no business of ours. Mrs. BandesAA r yke had less tact, and poured forth excuses for master and man. GAven quietly stopped her Avith the remark that Bansley was a very old servant, and so attached to the place that the loss of a single tree Avas a real trial to him. With a mind prepared to receive strange impressions in this strange place, I however fancied that her carelessness Avas assumed, and narrowly watching, I perceived that her hand trembled as she tried to steady her mace.

Mr. BandesAvyko appeared no more till the arrival of the other guests, and before that event occurred Aye had a dreary time of it ; for GAven likeAAdse disappeared, and we Avere left to the tender mercies of the mother. I escaped after a Avhile, aud Avas in the act of opening the front-door to have a look at the storm, when it Avas hastily opened from Avithout, and GAven covered by a large plaid, but wet from head to foot, stepped quietly into the hall. I uttered an exclamation of astonishment, but without the slightest word of explanation she merely boAved her head and passed on to her room. I had no time to wonder, for at that moment the guests arrived, and I was captured by my host.

The guests Avere dull, Harry Avas dull, Mr. Bandeswyke Avas dull, I atos dull. I may as well say it at once : Aye Averc all dull, save GAven, avlio Avas just as usual. In spite of that, I was glad when avc dispersed for the night, even while I dreaded the night. " Let's go out and smoke,'' T whispered Harry, as avc stood together at the drawing-room door. Gwen Avas close to us and heard. She turned back and said, loud enough for her

father to hear, " 0, not to-night, do not go otit tonight. It is so damp after these storms," It Avas unlike GAven. 1 felt annoyed. Old BandesAvyke waxed paternal on tho spot. "My dear boys, don't think of such a thing. You have no idea of our mountain air after a storm. Go to the billiardroom."

We thanked' him, and vanished to our rooms. My curiosity Avas again roused. Why were father and daughter leagued to prevent us from going out 1 Of course Aye went.

' ' I wonder why they did not want us to go," said I. "Rheumatism," said Harry shortly.

"Humbug," responded I, not more lengthily, and then added, " That might do for madam, not for master, or for — "

' ' Miss BandesAvyke, " interrupted Harry With decision.

Then I knew what Avas to happen. Wo had talked of her as Gavcii before avc came to the Dumberdone.

We Avalked on in silence till avc came to tho toj) of the steps leading down the mountain. Then avo turned and smoked in silence. It was again a gusty, iitful night. The wind Avas sobbing itbdf to sleep, like an angry child after a iifc of passion, oseasionully bursting forth Avith fresh though subdued violence, and then subsiding to a dead calm. The moon, which Avas at the full, Ava=* almost entirely obscured by masses of black clouds, driven wildly over her face. Fo ri one moment, as Aye stood under the rocky Avail, the full mild light illumined the scene before vs — tho old castle, the mountain, tho trees. Involuntarily we both started forward, for that moment had revealed to us the largest of the great cedars prostrate on the ground. In its fall a mass of foliage liad been torn from the old building, which was iioav bared to the naked eye.

v The tree is fallen," I exclaimed. Again the moonlight passed away, and for a minute the darkness was dense. The old tower clock struck the hour. We counted the strokes ; there were thirteen. As the last hoarse clanking wound died away, the scene was once more illuminated. Not by the moon, however. A red light btazed suddenly forth inside the ruin, exactly behind where the fallen cedar had stood. Tho house was on Jire ! A red light, a dull glow ing rod. Wo could soothe tiames, and ue could .see tho tiguros pass foofore them. We rurihud forward. Lightest and most active, i. wiu iirst at the spot. As I approached, 0110 tigure became distinctly visible as it passed and repassod before the fire. Nay, I paused in horror till Harry joined me ; for though the flames were confined to one room, they were apparently beyond control, aud yet this tigure was plainly adding to thoir fury, and with a long iron rod heaping up iix&l and roming the fl:imo. We were now so close to the house that we could see every line of the man's countenance, and it was an ovil one ; eyes near together, si large pvirplo scar across the face, coarse straight black hair, a villanous expression, a dirty Avoollencap Avith a red tassel on one side of his head, the left log somewhat shrunk, and supported by an iron frame, the squeaking of whioh wo heard dwtiiMlyuaho liropod round his diabolical

I work. Presently he paused, and taking [ up a small box scattered the contents into the fire. Its character changed in an instant to a vivid green, rendering his countenance ghastly. Apparently the heat Vi-as unbearable, for he stepped hastily back. Ha, he stumbles, ho tries to save himself — in vain ! He falls, and falls into the very middle of that furnace, with a shriek which freezes the blood in our veins. Again we dashed forward, and the moon once more lending her light we clambered, clasping and clinging to the ivy, straight up the old Avail, and crashing through the window we stood in the burn-

ing room. It "was empty — no firo, no man ! But as if to mock us, as if to prove that we had not been dreaming, a largo space in the centre was lowered "and bricked as if to contain a tire ; a curious chimney, shaped like an extinguisher, hung over it from the ceiling ; ashes and cinders, among which some charred bones were plainly visible, were scattered about, and an iron frame was lying straight across the quaint fireplace. It was a moment never to be forgotten. We looked at one another in silence. Even Harry was moved. ' ' Can we have come to the wrong room," I whispered. He shook his head and pointed to 1 heiron. Then he crossed the room and tried a door. It was locked, but the lock was old and we could easily have burst it if the moonlight had not again left us in pitch darkness. " Conic away," I whimpered. lam ashamed to say I was trembling like a girl. My dream had thoroughly unnerved mo. I "I mean to sec this out," replied Harry. "Of course it is a kick. Will you fetch the lantern, or shall I I" Both ajjpeared equally terrible, to leave him or to be left. " You will be quickest. I will wait," j said he, in atone which admitted no re- 1 ply ; and 1 was out of the window and scrambling down the ivy in a second. As I returned with fclie lantern, which fortunately wo had taken out with us, L again paused in horror, for the flames were again visible, and the man with the iron was once more stirring them up and limping round them. And there, in the midst of this ghastly scene, stood my own Harry, calm, and apparently unconscious of what was passing around him. His tall and handsome face were as plainly to be seen as his terrible companion. It was with a sound that was more of a sob than a cry that I dashed on, tearing my hands and my clothes as 1 almost flew up the ivy and swung myself into the room. Then I turned faint with terror, for again it was empty, excepting that Harry stood waiting as I left him. I ihink he was surprised at my want of pluck. His nerves had been shaken by no previous warning, and his temperament was not excitable like mine.

We tried in vain to force open that door. Old and slight a^ the luck appeared it resisted all our efforts. We paused. And then distinctly avo heard a footstep approaching tlvi other side, a halting footstep, a creaking iron. A hand was on the luck. The bolts fleAv hack, and slowly and heavily the door swung open. We hastily raised the lantern, and stepped out into the passage. No one was to be seen. Only a sound as of rats and of falling plaster, and then all was still. Only the Avmd rose with a dreary moan I through the loopholes above us, and passed us Avith a rush as it wailed down the passage. We went on, through countless rooms and passages, some Avide and A'aultod, some n.irrow and L'fty, under deep archways, round massiA r e buttresses, now down a broad oak staircase, noAV up stoep Avinding steps, till our heads grew giddy. We Avere astonished to iind the oak floors firm, aud the Avails, though dripping with moisture and covered Avith damp in places, perfectly solid. The place was safe and perfectly habitable. Why, then, Avas it deserted / We grew bewildered, aud E Avas oppressed with that strange feeling that all this had happened before. Suddenly my heart stood .still with Avondor. It had all happened before. It was the realisation of my dre-un. Wo had turned into tho picture-gallery, and thero avc re tho pictures as 1 had soon them, hanging, not against the Avail, but from the coiling, aud swinging to and fro ; all but one, the stately lady in black robes, and she Avas moving up and down. | 1 almost expected her to descend and fling I her robes around me, as in my dream. It \ Avas horrible to know my \vay as I did ' noAV. I fancied Harry looked at me with surprise as I turned with decision to the lobby on the left, and walking straight up i to tho projecting chimney, touchodit, and \ then stood asido to allow the panel to fall out. It did so, and Harry folloAVod mo into a room. The room. Was I dream- 1 ing still? Harry said "No" Avhen 1 1 asked him. Yet thore it all Avas — the beetles racing, the " cocoons " croaking, tho heap of drapery in the darkenod AvindoAV, tho amnll bed in tho corner, and, as avo pausod, avo both became awaro of Iho sickjAr odour, m in my cireain, Aud. ol

j something more. There was in that room ) what I can only describe as the concioiisi ness of a jiresence. The wind had died 3 away in a long lull ; not a sound was heard i save the hoarse creaking of the "cocoons" L and our own troubled breathing, and yet 3 we both felt that we were not alone. A hot i flush mounted to Harry's brow. I know that , I was deadly pale. Wo looked instinctl ivcly towards the bed. Our eyes met. We advanced together. Again we paused. ; Could it bo possible that we heard the i faintest sound of breathing not our own ? 1 The tattered curtains were. closed ; through the slits we could see something, yet we could distinguish nothing. Harry put out his hand, and gently drew them back. Yes. There it lay, that still form. The long hair covered it, and the head was turned away, as I had seen it. And as before Harry raised the head and inrncd the young dead face towards us, and wo saw the high-bred delicate features, the old-young look, the strange colrmring. And then came the long shivering sigh, the slight tremulous stretching, and the sinking back to the awful repose. And then a shriek, a woman's wail, burst forth so close, so very close, that it seemed in { our very ears, and the breath that sent it forth played upon our checks. Without [ waiting for it to die away, as it did with a prolonged wail through the vaulted cor- , ridoiv, we rushed from the room, fled , tli rough tho passage.'', stumbled down a j staircase, and how, 1 know not, found ourselves safe in tho open air. We never went to bed that night. Wo passed it in Harry's room, in wondering discussion of the adventure. Never had T seen Harry so roused Ho still leaned strongVy to the opinion that some trickery was at work, and with morning light grew ashamde of our panic. He resolved to relate the wholo to Mr. Uandoswyke. Firm as was my belief in Harry's Ausriom, 1 could not convince myself tiiat all (hat wo htid seen and heard was attributable to natural causes alone. The next morning we sought and obained a private inter\i w with our host, and Harry told our Lale. Never did man's face cloud over as Mr. IJaudosv/yke's, when he began to perceive the gist of Harry's remark.

" Then, iv spite of my warning, you did go outlast night," was his first observation. After that he listened in silence to the end, and then he said Avith a smile, for AA'hich I hated him, " When the property is yours, young sir, you Avill probably fathom the mystery."

Harry coloured violently, but disdained to reply. I Avas up in arms at onca. " I hope, sir, yoii do not for a moment do Harry the gross injustice "

" I have heard your talc," interrupted Mr Bandeswyke, utterly ignoring my existence, and addressing Harry : "I have hoard your tale. Possibly I hold the key to the mystery. Possibly it is a mystery to me. At all CA r ents, it is as yet no business of yours, and f must request that your lips will be closed on the subject during my lifetime. You Avill also answer for your friend's discretion. Do you like to ride to-day ?"

I fancy even Harry Avas nettled at this reply, and at the abrupt transition of subject, and I own that I listened Avith delight to his rejoinder, Avhich Avas merely an announcement that avo must leave the Dumberdone that day. Not only Avas he hurt at Mr BnndesAvyko's manner, but in my heart I felt convinced that his repugnauo was as great as my oavh to passing another night in, that haunted pile. Mrßfindcswyke seemed rather surprised, but received our decision Avith indifference. An hour later I Avas amused by his seeking us Avith regrets at our sudden departure, entreaties that Aye Avould stay, and invitations to us to join the family in Italy in the autumn. All this I attributed to Mrs Bandeswyke, avlio was evidently much vexed at losing us, and I AVa3 almost angry with Harry for his cordial recoption of the last proposal. Gwon Avas very still, very silent. So was Harry all that chvy, ami tho next, and for many days to come. Vie seemed to have grown tun years older in that short visit to his future hon:.o,

CHAI'TBK 111. — A FALL.

Years passed before either of us revisited the Dumberdone. Our friendship suffered no diminution, though our careers were very different. I was ordaihed, and Riicceedod to a comfortable family living. Harry married Gwen, as I knew lie would. He saAv a groat deal of her abroad, where the Bandeswykes lived almost entirely after our ill-fated visit. The Dumberdone was shut up. At length, Mr. Bandeswyke being dead and his widow settled in London, Harry and Gwen resolved to return to the old placo, with thoir son, a boy of six or seven. The following note appnsod me of their intentions.

"Grosvenor- street, July 18—.

"Dcnr Charlio— ■ Wo are again in England, and moan to Jivo at Dumbordone. Gw«i mi I shall ba there on the Utli,

1 1 ask you to join us as the greatest possi- / ble favour. I knoAV your horror of the place, but the mystery must be solved. I need your help as friend and clergyman. 1 knoAV more than I did. Come. Prepare to rough it, as Aye bring no servants at first— for reasons. We leave the boy in town. — Yours ever, Harry Bandesavyke. " "As friend and clerymau." The first, course ; the second I could not comprehend, unless he wanted me to exercise the demons, and I smiled to myself at the idea as I journeyed along. Years had Avoakcncd the vivid impressions of the time. For Harry was right ; ifc had been a terror to me for long. I had had a severe nervous illness immediately afterAvards, and for some time 1 could not bear to hear the name of the place. Dear good Harry met me at the last

stage ; and as we wound up the zigzag to tlie Castle, lie told me all lie had heard from Gwen of the mystery, and detailed his plan, which was very .simple. G wen's father was the youngest of seven brothers, who one after another inherited tlieDumberdene, and all died childless, or leaving only daughters. Their father had been a remarkable man— most remarkable ; for the force of his character was such, that his directions were religiously and minutely observed after his death by every one of his sons, down U> the very youngest, although the Litter was but ten years "old when loffc an orphan. They had never called him father, nor could any one of them recall a word of kindness from him. lie appeared to have struck awe into their very souls ; an awe sufficient to render disobedience to his wishes as impossible when he rested in his grave, and they were themselves gray-beaded, as in the days when he was named among them as "the mailer," and v hen, as timid lads, they trembled afc the .sound of his voice, before any of them could remember, the entrances to the older part of the Cattle had been closed and barred. They hud never been allowed to approach it, inside or out. Year by year the outer walls had crumbled away ; year by year the foliage grew and spread over wall and mountain. Not one of the lads had dared to explore that spot.

And Avhen tho old man Avas dying, he called his seven sons to his side, and ho ; made each one sAvear in turn that, so long as he lived and reigned at the Dumberdeuo, noA^er should those barred doors be opened, never should human foot enter that part of the Castle. The oath had in each instance baen kept. By degrees the building assumed the appearance of a ruin, though such was the solidity of the structure that, as we had seen, it still resisted the effects of neglect. Gwen had heard of the apparition, though she could not tell ' when it first made its appearance, nor had she heard any story attached to it. She knew, hoAvever, that her father had seen it. He had told her this himself, adding that ho believed the cedars and dense foliage had alone concealed it from others. He had attached particular importance to the middle tree, Avhich had fallen. He had also told her that the apparition came but once a year— on 26th August. " Tiiia,' said Harry, "accounts for his trying to prevent us from going out that night, as well a? for old Ranslcy's agitation. He Avas the only other person in the secret. " Farther than this GAven only kneAV that her grandfather had no hereditary right to the placo. His father Avas a rich Dutch merchant, Avhose widow had become the second wife of the master of Dumberdene, the last Avho rightly bore that title. The first Avife had left a little son, who died shortly after his father, and the property then fell into the hands of the second Avife, the Avidow of the Dutchman. She had left it to her only son, GAven's grandfather. He had affectod the title of master, but none of his sons had assumed it. Gwen dimly remembered h er great-grandmother, avlio had long survived her son and most of his children — a Avild stern Avoinan, wonderfully active though in extreme old age, with masses of white hair on each side of her face. Owen had seen her pa|Oin« backwards and forwaads on Iho torrace, regardless of wind or Aveather, muttering fearfully to herself, sometimes stop[>ing suddenly, throwing up her arms above her head, or stamping her stick on the ground. GAven Avas in deadly terror of her. This was all. And Harry's plan was to open one of the doors of communication betAveen the old and the newer part of the house, and closely and attentively to examine the whole place. After that he intended to dismantle it, and either to refurnish it, or more probably, to pull it down, and devote the space to gardens and lawns.

" I am still persuaded that the living have more to do with the mystery than tho. dead," said he' in conclusion. "Years back thero Avas probably some story attached to the place ; bnt though my seven sfcep-unclcs Avere frightened enough to obey their fathor to tho last, his wishoa are not binding upon me, nor havo they, I strongly suspect, been anything like binding upon uiq scamps of tho neigh,,

bourhood. It is a clever trick, but lam resolved to get to the bottom of it." And so he did, poor fellow, but not as he intended.

" But why did you want me c as clergyman V " I asked, returning to the point •which had puzzled me in his letter. His colour rose as of old ; he half laughed. "Well, Charlie, I daresay you will think it great nonsense, and perhaps, after all, I hardly mean it ; but the child, you know. If it is a child, he must have Christian burial. "

I Avas considerably startled. I saw that Harry's incredulity was not as perfect as he tried to believe.

Old Ransley and his Avife had been left in charge of the house, and Harry and Gwen had come doAvn quite alone, under pretence of seeing what repairs were required before they collected an establishment. They had only arrived that morning, and when Aye had had some luncheon, as it Avas still quite early, Harry proposed that Aye should begin our task at once.

I approach the end of my tale, the horrible end, and courage almost fails me to continue. ' In broad daylight on that lovely summer clay Aye once more approached the haunted rooms — Harry, Gwen, old Ransley, and myself. We determined to enter by the upper door, that to Avhich I had called Mr BandesAvy lce's attention on our first visit ; it appeared less impregnable than the one leading from the hall. Tools were ready, but it Avas a long job, though Harry Avas a very giant in strength. At length tho bars Avere sufficiently bent back to enable us to open the door far enough to admit us one by one. We stood in a Avide lobby. Harry and I remembered it full well. He boldly led the Avay with his Avife, who was as calm and composed as if in her own drawing-room ; for Avas not Harry with her '. We passed through the picture-gallery, where — still hanging from the ceiling, and swinging backwards and fonvards, as they had swung for fourteen years and more — Avere the pictures we had seen before. There, too, was the one going up and down. " Only the wind, darling," Avhisjjered Harry, as he drew her arm within his own, and hurried, her on. Why did he whisper I and why draw nearer, as if to guard her from harm ? She stopped him, pointing to her of the black robes.

" Hoav curious that this one should go up and down, Harry ! I suppose it is the draught. That is my great-grandmother. Papa had a minature copy of that picture."

"Voice and manner were so entirely as usual, ao unmoved, that I felt wonderfully reassured, and Harry glanced at me with a proud smile which spoke volumes. We went on to the room. No footsteps, no creaking iron, no Avhispers this time. All was still ; it Avas broad daylight. We found the panol out ; probably it had never been moved since our hasty exit fourteen years before. We entered. All was as it had been. The room, lowpitched and gloomy, Avas little less awful in tho sunshine than at night. There Avas an indescribable oppression. We approached first the heap of drapery in the window. It was the body of a young Woman. No sign of decay ; but the same strange shrivelled flesh, the same light-brown hue, that Aye had seen before. Gwen Avas now very pale, and Ransley trembled from head to foot, We turned to the bed, and drow back the curtain. There lay the little child ; and when we turned the head towards us, there was the same long shiver as before, but, I thanked heaven, no scream. I could see that Harry dreaded it, by his compressed lips and by his firm hold of the little shoulder. This time the eyes half-opened ; there was a glimmering light in them ; then another long sigh ; and it is my firm belief that then, and not till then, tho spirit passed away. The body did not fall back into its old position as before. It collapsed, and lay straight as Harry placed it. He called to Uansley in a low voice. The old man was on his knees on the floor.

Harry uttered an exclamation of impatience, and ddsired me to holp him, whispering as he did so, "I was Avrong, Charlie- ; this is no trick. There is more here than we can understand. " Gently and tenderly he lifted the little child in his arms,. Gwen helping him ; good brave Gwen, a woman in a thousand. He bore it out of that haunted room, and laid it in the lobby outside. Then he returned for the body of the woman, and placed them side by side. "You and 1 must go for the coffin," said he. " Gwen will stay with Itansley here."

" But Harry, it will take time. Where shall Aye find one ready made I" GAven whispered to me to "trust to Harry ; it was all prepared ;" and again I folt that ho had never been as soeptical as he tried to bolieve.

Loaving Gwen standing as ft statue guarding the dead, and Itansley crouching near her, his head shaking an Arith palsy, we r<W down to the hall, the great door bajng

easily opened from the 1 inside ; a fact which we had before remarked. In the ball we found a large packing-case, out of which Harry dreAV the boards of a coffin, so contrived as to be easily put together. This done we lifted it, and prepared to return. And then occurred once more that episode of the imaginary door. Although I was first, holding one end of the coffin, while the other was in his grasp, I had not made many steps within the passage before he exclaimed, " Wait ! Avait a minute ! It will be crushed. There, it is crushed ! Hoav could that door shut ! " And while 1 saAV him groping- for the handle, as before, his voice grew muffled. It was but for a second, however, and then he called out in his usual manner, " All right, old fellow ; go on ; " and we went on to Avhere Gwen patiently aAvaited us. The coffin, though only designed for the child, Avas found big enough to contain both bodies. We raised our awful burden, the unknown dead, and bore it through the hall, out into the cloisters, and on to the chapel. Here, again, the extent and detail of the preparations surprised me. Not only the key of the chapel was at hand, but the key of the family vault Avas with it ; and at a sign from her husband, Gwen placed a prayer-book in my hand, and signed to me to begin the service. I read as one in a dream. Harry, my brave Harry, my old, old friend, stood by me ; his arm touched me as I read on. Gavcii Avas at his side, a fair contrast to his firm manly figure. She Avas somoAvhat in shadoAv, but he stood out in bold relief under a flood of ruby light, which fell through a window behind him. There he was, a picture of life and health. Ah, how little could I divine that 1 avhs reading that burial service for the living as avoll as for the long, long dead ! It Avas over. Harry lingered ere we left the vault. We had work before us, and time lingered not ; yet he paused, and with unwonted demonstration of a love too deep for utterance, he passed his arm around his Avifc's Avaist and kissed her brow ; and as I walked on I heard him whisper, "My darling, you have been everything to me ; be brave to the end." TheiiAve returned to the haunted rooms; Harry was in better spirits than at first — the worst was over. The next step was to make a thorough examination and clearance of the room whence the bodies had been removed. "We may find something more Avhich one would not wish to become the talk of tho neighbourhood," said Harry ; " after this search 1 Avill have the whole place pulled clown, I am resolved." We began our work, drawing back curtains and opening the shutters of one window Avhich had been quite closed. As we did so, we perceived a door hitherto unnoticed in the opposite wall. I was the first to see it, and to draw Harry's attention to it. He was on the other side of the room, but he instantly advanced toAvards it. Suddenly he stopped, and once more I saw that groping motion of his hand. "Hoav veiy odd ! There can't be a door here," said he.

For the first time G wen's composure left her. She sju'ang to his side ; she claspod his arm.

"A door, Harry ! Not a door — O, say it Avas not a door ! "

She was pale and trembling ; he quieted her in a moment. There was nothing to fear, he said ; but as she unclasped his arm and turned away, I heard her murmur, " The first time, the first time ! " O, why did she leave him then, Avhy did she turn aAvay ? He stepped forward to the spot 1 had pointed out.

"Yes," said he, "this is plainly the way out."

What was that noise 'i What next met our horrified gaze I There was a creaking and crushing of planks giving way ; the spot on which he stood failed beneath him. He clutched wildly round with his hand's. Wo sprang for Avar dto save him. We touched him ; Aye almost grasped him. Ho slipped from our hold. For one moment Aye looked on his agonised face as, with one cry, ho fell — gone from our sight for ever. And the boards rose and fitted into their places with a snap, and all Avas firm and solid as before.

For one moment I believe I was mad — so sudden and so awful was the shock. I tore wildly at the flooring with my bare hands, and called loudly on his name — called to him to roturn. It was Gwen who brought me to myself — Gwen, Harry's Avife, nay, his widow. She drew me back, her face distorted with horror, yet her senses alert and under command. Her voice Avas hoarse and grating. "The room below — the room where you saw the fire ; he has only fallen through. Come ; be quick ! ' | She would believe it, she must believe it. She dreAV me on ; it was a ray of hope. We rushed across the lobby and down the stairs. Five minutes before he had been with us on those very steps ; where was he now 1 The room boloAV, nil the rooms near, the passages, all were ompty. Tho fatal thiokuesa of those walls, what might they not conoeai ? Wo called him— there

was no reply ; and as we stood and listened, the rich flood of sunshine fell on our white faces, and we heard the joyous song ot the birds and the voices of the gardeners outside.

" There must be a hiding-place in those walls," exclaimed Gwen. "The tools! fetch the tools i I will go back and stay Avith him till you come."

" Stay with him ! " Never again, Gwen ; never again. It comforted her to say that, and she Avent back to the room. 1 fetched not only the tools but the men, and in a few minutes a ghastly secret was laid bare.

"It is hollow, sir," said the man who dealt the first stroke.

It was hollow. A hole about six feet in circumference descended — ah, hoAv far I

I had to hold GAven back with all my strength, she leaned in so far, as her voice shrieked down the fathomless abyss,

" Harry ! my Harry ! "

Shall I ever forget that cry 1 Did it reach his ear '( There was no answer, no sound from below. Then she raised herself up stretched both her arms before her, and with one cry of despair fell back into a dead faint. Poor thing ! it Avas the best thing that could happen to her then. We carried her clown and gave her over to Mrs Ransley' s care, and as soon as I had sent for a doctor I returned to tho room.

They were trying to fathom, the abyss, and trying in vain. It seemed' to descend to the very foundation of tho building. Lights had been lowered and extinguished by the foul air. All hope Avas ot course at an end ; and Avheu at length the lights burnt steadily, there Avas that revealed which told of a fate so awful that strong men who stood by turned sick and faint.

The sides of that awful hole were, after a certain space, jagged and uneven. Sharp stones, pieces of iron, hooks, scythes, and knives were let into the Avail with such diabolical art, that any one falling must have been fearfully mangled ero he reached tho bottom : and sickening marks of such a fall woro there. N othing but the utter demolition of the building would enable us to recover all that remained of him who half-an-hour before stood among us in life and health. The demolition was ordered. The building Avas to be razed to the ground. GAven would havo had the work continued night and day ; she hoped, hoped madly, long after hope seemed impossible. But men must eat and sleep, even though widows' hearts are wasting and breaking beneath the load of agony. And when days grew into weeks, and little apparent progress was made, then, and not till then did Gwen consent to leave the place. She | wenb to her mother in London. We hope that her child would rouse her from her grief and bring her back to life, but it Avas not so. A strong nature is not always an elastic one ; she bad received a shock from Avhich she had not power to rally. Her heart was broken. She meekly did Avhat she Avas told to do, and no more. Never again was she voluntarily seen to open a book, or to take any kind of employment in her hand. She only sat and I waited the summons which came ere many Aveeks had passed, and then the weary spirit was set free. But lam forestalling my tale. I cannot tell what Aye found Avhen at last the Avork of demolition was completed. Gwen was at rest before that, and as I followed the remains of my best, my old friend from the Castle (for he was taken to his father's home), J called to mind with bitterness our iirst entrance within those walls, destined to be so fatal to us both.

1 saw dwell often during the weary interval before her death. I was the only person who could rouse her even for a moment from her lethargy. When she had coused to hope, she only once alluded to the past. Some old papers had been found in the picture-gallery so often doscribed, and as they threw light on the mystery of the haunted room, the doctors hoped they might rouse her. For the moment she was roused — not to listen to tho tale of black wickedness unfolded, lmt to give me one warning, one charge regarding her boy- -my ward. She told me that the appearance of an imaginary door was an event of usual occurrence in her family before a death. Her father and I all his brothers had seen it, but sho added i it had boen seen three times in each instance, and with intervals of years between. "I folt little fear, for he only saw it once," said she. It was the only time sho spoke of Harry. I did not undeceivo her.

She had with rare courage kept the I knowledge of this tradition from her husband. She hoped, sho said, that it was only a superstition, and would die away if not fostered. She desired that her boy might never hear of. it. The papers were curious. They comprised two or throe letters and an old ais. book — journal, account-book, receipt and cookery book all in one, as was the mode of our ancestors. It was the private note book of her of the black robes — the second wifo of the maatur of Dumberdone, Tho fitory was told more by the, ssstrrordinwy

nature of the receipts, and by the entries in the portion devoted to accounts, than by any regular .jonru;i!. Tlu b .ok seemed to have been commenc- d before tho dtath of her first husband, for it begin -»ith sundry comm uplaoi* entries respecting the expenses of his somewhat long illnoas. Then we have his funeral, ;inrt her journey to England with her little son. /. short stay in London, whore she probably met the master of Dumberdene, for the various items of a trousseau occupy the next few pages ; and then follow the usual small

expense of a lady in a country house. All this is interspersed with receipts for soups and puddings, possets, cures for smallpox, and various other matters of tho kind. Up to this point I had been obliged to call in assistance to decipher the text, for though the writing was legible enough it was in German and Dutch. But after

a year or two jessed at tho Dumberdene, the lady had apparently become sufficiently at home in the English language to adopt it as her own, and all difficulty on my part was at an end. Her second husband soon

appeared to be in failing health, for by degrees it becomes plain that the management is vested in her hands. ■ The pay-

monts became more those of the master than of the mistress of the house, and

about this %imo the recipes are of a strange nature. Next to a sleeping draught of a

very mild character, we have one containing stronger narcotics, and a note underlined, to the effect that this should on no account be given to children or young people, as it Avould prove fatal, though not at once. A short extract follows, from some old lieati.es on poisons, and then one or two recipes for poisoning animals without in -jury to the akin. Shortly after this cnj-.ios tho fuuei'al expenses of the nmtcr of Dumherrlene, and a short oxproß'.ion of desolation at this second -widowhood, with fclic additional burden of the young master to bring up with hor own son.

I The amount of medicine the poor young master a wallows .iffcur this must have gouo far to wards relieving her of that burden. Then comes a curious and significant item. So much to a person called Jolied Burkdorf for his journey, and that of his niece Santje, from the former home of the widow in Holland. Then an expression of joy at Laving once again the society of her old tutor and friend. What precise \ >osition this Johed held in the household is not clear. Ere long all payments passed through his hands, and if he acts as tutor to the lads, he evidently j>erforms also many services which rather fall to the steward or bailiff. Santje's position is more clearly defined. She is what would now be termed nurserygoverness. She waits on tho children, and teaches them ; and we learn that the young master, the delicate highbred i English boy, wins bur heart at once, whereas there is deadly lend between her and the fierce young Dutchman. About this Lime fcwo circumstances of importance are to bo not-'d. First, tho family moves into the modern portion of the house, and tho older part is deserted, though the lady reserves one room there for herself, tind passes much time there in trying experiments with Jolied. Secondly, the rosult of these experiments are noted down. Johed now coim,s out as a chemist, and tho room is a laboratory. It is altered to facilitate thoirwork. A rurinu , cinmuctf is built, to enable them to try an experiment which is set down at full length. Certain chemicals are to bo thrown into a furnace. Any animals shut up in a room above this will be not only rendered insensible, but reduced to powder. If the fire is extinguished too soon, life may be preserved for centuries, though consciousness ■will never return. In human beings the flesh Avould wither and the >>k lit assume a liy'tt-broiVH line. This was the theory set forth.

It was impossible not to interpret this diabolical recipe by tho light of recrut discoveries. But the lottera to which I havo alluded lnako the talc of horror yet muro clear. Thoy wero mere scraps in Dutch and broken English, midenfcly written by Santju, who, 1 doubt not, was the young girl over whose mortal remains T had read tho burial f-orvico "n tb.it sad day. She appeared to havo been uhut up iin the old part of tho castle with her cl arge, the young master, and 1 conjecture that these letters, by which she attempted to make known their danger, fell into the bands of Jolied and Iris mistress, for they were all found in tho :us. book. They contain short entreaties for help, and in one tve havo a h;i ty notice that they aro niovod to tho Dumber room, and on pretence that tho master's illness is an infectious fever, are excluded from all intercourse with others.

"No one comes to us but my cruel I uncle," writes the girl, " raid I tlnnd the squcalting sound of his ivon Ivg aluiuj the pimacje." From these documents it was not hanl to trace out the tale of crime and auftbrings. Had confirmation boon wanting, ifc was found in tho will which left till to the widow should tho young mustor die under , age i and, jto tho coffin found in the family

vault with his name and the date outside, inside a carefully-weighed freight of wood and bricks. If the wretched Johed did actually fall into the furnace which he was piling up for others, who can wonder that his accomplice should lack the courage to enter the room which she had made a grave ? Who can wonder that she had the building barred and closed, and that she did her utmost to make this state of things binding upon her son and his descendants'? Who can wonder that a curse rested upon the house 1 Whether she knew the fearful oubliette over which she had placed her husband's son, we shall never know. There is no mention of it in the MS. Its antiquity proves that she neither planned nor completed it, and we may hope that she had never discovered it. I have never again revisited the Dumberdene. Beautiful grounds now cover the spot were once the haunted rooms rose in their masses of foliage. A fountain now plays over what was once a grave. Harry's boy lives in the more modern castle, which we left standing^ He is always asking me to stay with him there. But I cannot face those memories. My trust is that the curse has died out, —dare I say has been expiated I—and1 — and that I alone am in possession of a secret so fearful, that there are hours when I could almost doubt if memory has served me rightly. ___„___«_.