Christmas in a Haunted Caravan.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 30 (Supplement)

Christmas in a Haunted Caravan.

By F. DA C. De L'lsle.

**\ %HAT are we going- to do during' \A / the Christmas holidays?" asked f y Noel David at the breakfast table one morning about the first week in December. " I suppose Charlie Cayley and his sister will come over as they promised to, eh. Bertram?" Bertram David opened his sleepy grey eyes wide and favoured his brother with a calm, disconcerting stare. The look was cold and chilling, and no man knew better how to drive it home than this same MiBertram David. Before his brother was completely annihilated a third person broke into the conversation. A pert, pretty, and impertinent young person of the gender feminine, though in heart and spirits most palpably masculine. '" Lill> Cayley could not possibly miss the opportunity of cooking Bertram's Christmas pudding; she has done it for the last 15 years, I believe. Oh '. don't be a beast !"' as the afore-mentioned Bertram heaved a heavy scone at the speaker ; " I never saw a more sickening example of hero worship in my life. Why don't you marry Lilly. Bertie, my beautiful brother?" " That's my business !" growled the greyeyed Bertram with superior mien. "We are not discussing the question of marriage,— we are discussing the Christmas holidays. As Nolly 6ays : ' What are we going to do during the holidays?' " " I've got a really jolly plan in mv stupendous brain !" exclaimed Miss Edith David enthusiastically. " I beg to propose that Miss David do submit her really jolly plan to the assembled committee," said Noel David, rising as he spoke. " Will anybody second that?" " I won't !" said an immature masculine voice, as her 15-year-old younger brother cast a scornful glance towards Mife David. " Last Christmas she suggested that overland walk to the West Coast, and we nearly all 'croaked' over it. No more of Edie's lovely plans for mo." "You shut your mouth, if you don't want it shut for you !" said Noel, who was 17, and very much of a man. "Is it your worship's wish that Miss Edith David do unfold her really jolly plan ?" — to his elder brother. " Yes." replied Bertram David, tho son and heir of the house of David, aged 24: "Go ahead, Edie, and let us ?eo if you can evolve a. more brilliant idea than the overland walk of last year that nearly resulted in an overland funeral." "Suppose we try a fortnight's trip in a caravan," suggested Edith David eagerly. " Suppose !" sneered Noel. " Where's the caravan coming from?" " Well, there's a really beautiful caravan down in Scott's saloyar-ds. It belonged to a hawker who was found d . oh ! — well. it belonged to a hawker, and they want £30 for it. Nobody seems anxious to buy it, and Mr Scort said he would hire it out to anybody who wanted if for £1 a month. We've got any amount of horses. Let's hire the caravan and have a fortnight's jaunt round the lakes." " A brilliant idea, my clevor sister '."' exclaimed Bertram David. " Just tho thing for us; ;ou and Miss Cayley can sleep in the ca.ravan, and we'll take a bell tent for tho men. Reuben can come along as rouseabout. and bring his pony with him. Nolly can be driver, and I will ride. By George! it's a really fine idoa! What splendid sport we shall have !" " I'm going to rido. too." said Mi«<« Edith decisively; '"I would go mad sitting in the caravan all day. and sleeping in it all night. May I ride, Bertram de— ah?" "Oh. all right,"' replied her brother. "You'll have to fend for yourself, though. I'm not going to lose any fishing or shooting running after your horse all day long, if ho get's away." "You may bot I won't go aftor it!"' exclaimed Reuben, the voungost brothor. " Oh. don't fret yourselves," said Edith scornfully ; "I am quite able to look after Firefly myself." "Now that's settled, we'll go and secure the caravan," said Bertram. " Coming. Nolly?" " Righto !" said that young gentleman, bouncing up and making for the d'xm "_Oh let m© come, too !" eriod Reuben excitedly. "Come along, then. By-bye. Edie; you had better make out a list of things for the camp outfit. You are to be cook and bottle-washer, so we'll leave that part of tho business to you. We'll fix up the travel and sport department." said hor eldest brother as he followed the other lads out of the room. Edith was palpitating with excitement, and she promptly sat down with paper and pencil to make out a list of the necessaries. " I do hope they won't find out about the hawkor !" she muttered, as sho commenood the list with — one large fryingpan. Tho Davids were orphans living under the guardianship of their maternal undo. Their father had been dead for many years, and the widowed mother brou"-''t them up and educated them till within five years ago, when she had followed hor beloved husband to the Eternal Land. Thenceforward thoir undo had taken charge of tho orphans. Bertram at 22 became a solicitor, and had a small practice in their little country township ; Edith. 18 years of age. was thoir uncle's housokeeper; Nolly, 17, was just finishing his lest term at the University: and Reuben was at the local High School. They were all very lovinjr and affectionate towards each other, and there was a strong bond of sympathy between the orphans. Edith, perhaps because of her constant association with her throe brothers, was a great tomboy. She could shoot, ride, fish, and climb with the best of them ; and as a swimmer she was better than her two younger brothers. She had a deadly screw service at tennis, and always rode in the first flight with the hounds. By nature she was gentle, honourable, and loving: and she was plucky to recklessness. Her reputation as belle of the district was only challenged by Lilly Cavlev, hor

"May we bring Scott-Herbert with us. Old family friend. New-chum. W a n t » trip."

" Hullo !" exclaimed Bertram. " This is good —the more the meirier. Here. Edio. shove in another knife, fork, and spoon, etc.. and blankets. The Cayleys are bringing a gentleman friend with them. I'm off to answer this wire."

There were many guesses made as to the personality of Mr Scott Herbert — a 11 pretty wide of the mark, as it turned out.

" Some bally British Gussie. with tourist clothes. who always says ' Heah !' I'll bet," said Reuben.

"Or perhaps an old b v ft'e r with rheumatics, who will spoil all our sport !"' ovclaimed Noel.

" The wire sounds as if he wore an invalid of some kind. H" wants a trip .'" said Edith.

'■Oh! I don't know." said Bertram, oracularly; "the Ca\ leys wouldn't brintr any spoil-sport along. I am rather inclined to tho globe-trotter idea though I don't think he will be a bounder. The Cav!e\> don't know any

dearest friend, and without doubt the> were two really remarkably handsome girls. Edith was rosy and buxom, fair and athletic. Lilly was pale and fiagile. ethereal, and a brunette. The Cj.vlevs and the Davids had been friends for many veal's, and never a Christmas passpd without their gathering together at the hohd iv time and spending a joyful per.od on some country excursion. As w ill be gathered from the breakfast -table com creation, the Caylejs — brother and sister —

were to be the guests of the Davids, and

the holiday time was to be spent in an excursion in a. caravan to the lake- of the 6OUth.

When Bertram David had secured the caravan, the preparations for the trip wore commenced with great enthusiasm. Their uncle being it farmer in the Vincent County, the Davids were well provided with horseflesh. A pair of fine, quiet, half-draught horses were requisitioned for the caravan. a.nd each member of the family had a hack as well. The hawker's caravan was fitted with two bunks, one on each side, that folded up against the sides when not in use. At the back was a tiny cuddy with lockers that acted as a cook-house, and a stove, with the chimney passing out of the top of the conveyance. It wa« splendidly adapted for the purposes of an excursion, and the Davids were delighted with it. The roof of the cara\a.n was flat, with a 12in. iron railing round it ami was big enough to carry all the gear for a much longer trip than the Davids intended to have. Long before Christmas the preparations were complete, and the trippers waited impatiently for the time to pass. At length, two days before Christmas Eve, Bert ram David receivod a wire from Charles Caylcs

cursion. But when the\ started on Boxing Day everything turned out exactly a o everybody wished. In the fh>t place." Bertram said to his brother :

"I'll take- first trick with the chhinsr. Nolly. Bluoskin is a hit fro«h ; I haven't ridden him for nearly a month. I know you will quieten him for me'

Nolly was delighted at the compliment to his horsemanship, especially a-- it was spoken in The hearing of Captain ScottHerbert.

'"I am almost ashamed to a.-k \ou to ride Black Hairy." said Bertram ' Da ml to Captain Herbeit; '' he's only half broken in. and he bucks sometime*. Let Nolly ride him for a day or two. and jou ride Blueskin."

Captain Herbeit smiled -saving: "Don't put jourself out alxmt me: I'll ride the black." And ho did The hor«e piir jumped a srood deal at starting, but his rider rode him perfectly, and they were soon firm friends.

"My hat! Can't ho stick " whi«peied Reuben wth breathless admiration to Edith David.

"I never heard of a cavaliv man who couldn't!" said Miss Edith loftih.

1 here war- intense excitement at the stait. Ihe caravan looked in poking with the parcels of blankets, the bell tent, the valises, [run-cases, fishing-reds, and Captain Herbert's canvas folding-boat heaped up on the top. On the box «<at Bertram David had Miss Cayley as his companion. It was an ideal New Zealand summer's day. Mis-, Cay ley was dressed in a pique dress and wore a mushroom h-at with a large veil. All the men were comfort abh clad in bieeches and sraiters. Bertram wore knickeibockeiv and stockings and a comfortable old shooting coat. For a long time Miss Edith was uncomfortable, for — don't smile being accustomed to it from childhood, she rode cavalier fashion in a divided -kirt. What would Captain Herbert think . The thought haunted her. Poor innocent lass she litt'e know tl a' the crallant Captain had seen hundreds of women riding in the same fashion, and

\\ hen the party did arrive they were all i>lca«ed to' find that Mr— or, rather. Captain—Kenneth Scott-Herbert w.,, „n It. dian Army officer of some mioM n t , IT* a ,*»"'. t th l«!«c-lookin X „„„, , lth 1 bronzed and handsome face, and a eliarinmg manner. He was «,„,,. distant «,„■ noct.on of the Ca.> ley familj. an, l had brought letters of introduction from Scot l?*\i. « ha - d , BUOh a jovial - frank "»tu«. that the Davids took an immense fanc\ to him He 6 one of the greatest biff [r an ie nu 1™ A. °'V evor " aw in In<lia." .aid Charlie Cayley to the Davids, and fiom tnat time Captain Scott-Herbert became as a god in the eyes of Reuben. Xool looked at him with the very greatest admiration; and even Bertram Da\id thawed perceptibly under his jovial companionship. Edith, poor little country tomboy, fell head over ears in k>\e with him at once, and Charlie Cayley lost any chance ho might have had * in" that direction when he brought his connection along to take part in that Christmas caravan trip.

I say. \ou'll have to ride, you know." said Noel to the new-comer, as they di*,cus^sed tho excursion. "We are all riding except Miss Cayley. Bert and I are going to take turn about with the driving; but^ if you like, you can drive altogether." A frown gathered on Bertram's handsome face, but only for a moment. "Oh ! I would much rather ride." replied the visitor; "I am well accustomed to the saddle. '"

"Well, you are an owl. Nolly." said IMS Sister to him later on. *' fancy a cavalry officer driving a caravan. Lilh Cayley told me that he did the biggest ride ever known during the Boer war !"

"I'm not the too-whoo you think, my clever sister," replied Noel indignantly. "Can't you see that he's dead nuts on Lilly ; and I gave him tho chance to be always with her."

Edith pressed her pretty lips together, and put on her observation cap. If Captain Herbert was going to devote himself to he>* friend throughout the trip there would be very little joy for her in the ex-

had liim-clf ndden alottsroido <i Lidv thus covtmiK d in Rotten Row iwlf. ' \fter the% h^d Maited h.- ,odo up to her jnd set her mind at re-t.

''I am triad to nr that they have rational ideas of the benefit*: of comioit in the saddle out here. Miss David. The side-saddle i» an abomination of discomfort, and would make a lady weary in no tuna on a trip of this kind. The cavalier nt.vle la becoming very g-eneial at Homo. I am glad to say."

"I have never ridden any other waj." said Edith simply. "All the girls in the bush are taking to this s-tyle of riding." "An<l quite right, too. I hope m a few v oar,' time to see the old stvlc discarded altogether." said Captain Herbert. , They had started after breakfast, and ; their pre-arranged time-table was fixed at , 25 miles a day. They could have j travelled faster but for the caravan and ' it.s heavy load. They had about 60 miles to travel in order to reach Lake Wakatipu at Queonstown. Reuben and Noel rode on ahead as a vanguard with Charles Cay- j ley. Captain Herbert and MRs David | followed, and. about a quarter of a mile ' behind the caravan came along. When the road was level the horses trotted, but up the hills and pinches they had to null hard to move at a walk. At one o'clock they camped for luncheon. A fire was lit. the billy boiled, and a very merry party sat down on the grass by the roadside to , sandwiches, fruit, and tea. The horees wort- hoTiblrrt amJ left to prase. Aft-er a.n hour and .-» half they started again, and | by 6ix in the evening had covered their allotted distance of 25 miles. Captain Herbert, with -oldier-like rapidity, had the boll tent pitched in a small grass paddock adjoining the road about 50 yards from ' the caravan. The beds were * laid down ' methodically; the girls lit a fire and pre- , pared tho dinner; Noel attended to tho i feeding of the horses with Reuben, while Bertram was set to peel potatoes under the direction of Mies Cayley. Many hands and willing work soon had the chop^ and

bacon grilled and tho potatoes boiled, an an uproariou«h merry part} ate ra\er ou*.h of the goo*! picnic meal. Youn 1 Reuben distinguished himself by scoffin; a huge tin of preserved pears aJI b}- him , self; and even fragile Lilh Cayley ha. j a third cup of billy tea. After the 'thing j had been washed up and put away th j older men lighted their pipes; L'aptaii I Herbert imperiously piodueed a banjo 1 and the\ sat in a circle on the grass am j listened to his phwing. He wa-» a gooi i performer, too, for he had had much practice | tice during the quiet evenings in the fvon | tier garrisons of Northern India. At mm o'clock he sounded the tatoo. The ladioi retired to tho caravan, and the men. afte one more look at the horses, settled dowi j on their blankets in the tent and sinokoc and talked until ail fell asleep. 1 "' Oh ! isn't it perfectly lovely. Lilh " | exclaimed Miss David to her friend in the ! privacy of the caravan. The two bunk, were down, the comfortable beds made up and the girls were discussing the events j of the day. "Delightful!" replied Miss Cayley. '• ] | got such a tremendous appetite that I wa> I really ashamed of myself. Ido hope Ber tram won't think me a beastly little glutton."' ''Of course he won't."' said Edith. *" why, you didn't oat half as much as 1 did. I had two chops and nearly hall a tin of pears. Captain Herbert said he liked ladies to have healthy appetites. Oh. I forgot to tell you. Lilly. I hope you won't be frightened — I'm not; it doesn't trouble me one jot. We're sleeping in the caravan where that old hawker wa< found dead.' "What?" almost screamed Lilly Cayley. sitting bolt upright on her bunk. " Now. don't get scared. Lilly," exclaimed Edith, coaxingly. " What difference can it make to us ? I meant to tell you before we started, but it slipped my memon . You don't really mind, do you ?" "Oh. Edie, it has frightened me," cried Lilh tremulously ; " I am dreadfully frightened. Supposing- this caravan is haunted ! Oh, it is dreadful !" •■ Well, that's just what they say it is." s-iid Edith in a mattei of fact tone. " That's why nobody would buy the thing. I was on pins and needles for fear of Bertram or the boys getting to hear of it. I know it would settle our trip. But they heard nothing. «o I did not say a word. I'm not afraid of ghosts, are \oti?'- ■' I n — r. — never 6aw one ' "' «aid Lilly. trembling ; '"but I ■am dreadfully frightened. Oh. " Edie, what shall we do?" "Oh. let's go to sleep. It's absurd to «ay that the old hawker wilk-. round the yin all night. I for ono won't believe it." And Edith settled her-elf comfort ably in her bluejs. '" Oh ' I c-.uld never go to -Jeep here now," said Lilly, shhering. "" Realh .'" asked Edith. "Oh. huh. I'm dreadfulh afraid of ghosts, dear." wa-, the re ph. "' Then I in cony I told \ou !" said Edith. '" 1 didn't think jou would be ->o no nous o\er it. I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll make up •oil" U-d on the floor. and you i >hall skep hugged tight in m\ arms. '1 hen win won't be > afraid will \ou?" '• N- v no : I'll try , not to. But oh ! I ) don't flunk 1 can ever I ->leep m heie.' sobbed | Lilly. I •• Don't saj that," replied Edith. " We'll iea\o the little oil ' lam ]> burning all ' night, and I'll hold you tight. I'm not a bit scared. Shall I > coo-ec- to Bertram and ask him to chain the dogs up under the caravan?" "Oh, no, no. I'll try not to be scared, dear. But I do wish I was out of this. It is dreadful to be in here. Perhaps thio i» the b— b bunk ho died in !" cried Lilh mfcteritalh "No, lie didn't," replied Edith, coolly; 1 "they found him in this bunk where I | am. ilr Scott told me all about it." " Then let us hleep on the floor, and you 1 sleep on that side, will you. Edie?" "■ Ye*., dear. I could sleep in a churchward to-:iight. I don't mind; but I'm ' realh sorry that I told you that about , the hawker. I never thought you would i really caie," and Edith jumped out of I her bunk and quickly had a bed made up I '' on the floor. Then, holding her companion > ' tightly in her arms, they wero soon fast ' asleep. * 1 They were awakened about six o'clock ~ by a terrific hammering at the caravan I door, and Reuben's voice yelling — " No loafers allowed in this camp ! Get up, you s girls, and ( get us our tucker. There's two *■ billys boiling, and everything ready for ♦ breakfast. Edie! Aro you awake, Edie?'' j a " Yes," replied Edith, more than half f asleep. "Then get up at once. We're all going ' down to the creek for a bathe. Get the *■ breakfast cooked for us. nlea«e." " All right. Ruby. we won't be long " ifl replied Edith, and her brother ran off. , t followed by the barking spaniels and the j retriever tWy ha^l brought with them. ' t "How did you sleep, dear" was the ■ first question Edith asked her companion. t. " Splendidly. I never woke once," wa-s I the reply. t "No more did I. I was dreadfully •' upset about you. but we must have fallen d a=le<'p at the same time. I had no time ! m for ghosts last night — I slept too well, j Come along, and let ue have a nice break- | a fast ready for them when they tret back, j ci Tho bojs will be ravenous." " '• h They were quickly dressed, and soon had ! fi a -.p.'cndid breakfast ready. The men re- o

d turned from their -wiin fnsh and rosy )- t and did ample justice to the eggs anc g i baron, etc. Within an hour after break g fast they weio harnessed up and away i- and by fivo that evening had reachec d ' their first c-ampinsr place, a couple of milei ■- I north of Queonstown, on the edge of Lakt c i Wakatipu. Here they arranged an elabo i) I rate camp, for thov were to remain tlierc i. ( for three <laj». The moil were going to [] fish the Shotover Ri\or and shcot native :l j game round about. • , When they had had tea. the enamolwarc - i vva-s washed up and put away, the lmi> ' promptu concert was over, and the men s J adjourned to the bell tent to fix up for r the night Edith and Lilly Cay ley were i in the caravan arranging their floor bed, 1 when Edith happened to look out of the little side window facing the fire they had been camping round. A bright glow came c from some fresh twigs and dry branches s that Noel had recently placed on the fire; the evening, about nine o'clock, was growls ing dark ; the moon had not as yet risen. Seated on an inverted kerosene-case near 1 tho fire was a little, old man, grey and 5 shadowy. He was smoking a pipe, and - in his hand he held a stick, with which he stirred the fire now and again in an idle. way. He was dressed in a Crimean [ shirt, moleskin trousers, and Blucher boots. F Ho looked into the fire with a steady : gaze, and puffed silently at his pipe. I have said before that Edith was a plucky i girl. She wa.s so pure and good that fear r was really unknown to her. She was. > greatly startled at the siffht of that little I grey man, whom she instinctively associated with the dead hawker ; and her . fir-,' thought was of her companion. Lilly Cay ley must not see that grey figure, she • determined, and she herself mu«t find out whether it wa-s a living person or some strange visitant from an unknown world. She looked out once more to be quite certain of it. Yes; there sat the little grey figure, puffing pensively at his pipe and! prodding the fire with the grey stick. Edith turned, after drawing down the blind before the window, and, saying as calmly a> «ho could, "I'll bo back in a minute. Lil." urofc down out of the caravan and approached the fire. The little grey I'Mii sat there, rather more grey and less distinct than before. She walked ttruiirht up to htm. and. to her horror, found the seat vacant. Thou a deadly trembling took her. he. 1 heart almost ceased to beat, and a stifled moan burst from her lips. An almost irresistible inclination to scream and run possessed her. but she conquered it. Her first thought was for LilJy Cayloy. her timid, frightened companion in thecaravan. She turned, shaking, from the fire. and. to her great relief, she saw her brother Bertram and Captain Herbert coming towards her from the tent. She walked tovva'd- Iheni. shivering as if from atrue, aid white to her lips. She could, not speak for a moment. " Good heavens. Edie, what's the matter,, dear:" asked her brother, taking her hands and placing his arm round her neck lovingly. She sobbed for a minute, her head on his breast then she looked up and stammered : ''Oh, Bert. I—lI — I "iw him! I s — s - saw him ! The hawker !" "What?"' exclaimed llertiam. astonished. ""The hawker who was found dead in his bunk in the caravan. lie was sitting In the fire, on that kerosei c ca'e. He vanished when I walked up to him."' Theie wa-> <i look of concern on Captain Herlx'rt's. fice and big Bertram frowned angnl.v. He thought the world of his »i>ter. and he knew her too well to think til it she wa-> romancing. i "Are you sine of thi>. Echo"'"' he asked, i ih lie fondly put a big. piolocting arm ', round her waist. "Quite -ure. Beit. dun. I <*iv him | out of the window of the caravan first, and I did not want to frijrhten Lilly. I said nothing to her, and came out to koe if I could have made a mi-take. He was. still sitting on the ca^e. and not unlit > wa-> right In him did he mow. Then — - then he vanished altogether." -die replied. "It's very Mnumc" exclaimed Bert la'u. " Iyet us go to the fire," .-aid Captain Herbert. Hiev walked sili-nth up to the sparklintr branches. "He was hitting hole, smoking, and poking the fire with a Mick"' -aid Edith. "Don't -a.\ anything to Lilly about it'" Mis-, Ca\lp\, hearinif their voices, camo out of the caravan, and Bertram imme-dicit-lv joined her. Captain Herbert turned and walked slowl\ away by Edith's side. "Do \ou believe in ghosts?" asked Edith. " I should very much like to ice one. Mi<s David." said Captain Herbert seriouslj. "V\o often hoard of ghosts, but we all require the absolute proof of the ey<\ do we not. to be so definitely certain tliat they do evist. If they do. and, mind you, I do not doubt your experience for one moment, I must .see one with my own. eves to be a positive believer. Your story hn«. startled me. It is so .sti aiKhtforwardl and so simple that it has struck me very much. You will be afraid to sleep in thecaravan after this-. I <suppoie ?" " I would not mind, but I fear for Lilly's -ake. She was very much up-et last night when I told her about the hawker. I am afraid something seiious might happen if she 'aw the quiet, gho-it^* figure. Timid* and nonous people have become insane. I've read, after some dreadful shock. No - I would not like Lilly to see him.'" replied Edith. " You must have the tent in future." he >aid decisively. '• The weather is beautiful, md I am quite accustomed to sleeping in he open. I rather like it, when there ire no mosquitos. I will speak to Berram and arrange to exchange with you." "I wonder what Lilly "ill think? She. •= «ure to want to know of the reason.'' aid Edio. " Tell her that you informed Bertram if v our con vernation of last night, and hat he insists upon the exchange." So it was arranged. The girl* wereran~ferred to tho tent, and the men slept tt th<; open. lYoel and Reuben Bcom<-<f lie idea of sleeping in the caravan when Bertram and Captain Herbert were out in lie air. and they <lum]>od their blueyslown by the two men and were hugely .^lighted in secret to lx 1 camping out in abor earnest. I'he little grey man did not show himself gain for some days, at least none of tho-a-mping party saw him. The weather was eautifully fine, and tho men shot and* shed to their heart's content. The Shotver trout were fine eating and splendid!

sport, but the lake trout, though big. were poor table fi6h. Captain Herbert fixed up his folding canoe— one of Rushton's, — a perfect duck of a boat, as Edith styled it, and it resembled a duck in every particular. It was a Canadian canoe to hold two people, and had plenty of room for guns, rods, etc. Captain Herbert and Miss David had some delightful excursions up the lake, and Edith soon became an •expert with the paddle.

Bertram David and Miss Cayley were devotees of the rod. and Miss Cayley acquired quite a fund of information concerning artificial flies and minnows on her fishing excursions with Bertram. Charles Cayley, Noel, and Reuben went shooting, and kept the camp liberally supplied with game. They had trekked to a higher and a better sporting ground, and as the weather remained surprisingly good, the sport was unlimited. One evening after they had been a week out, Edith David sought Captain Herbert hurriedly some time after tea. He was strolling about enjoying a pipe, and his "two beautiful retrievers were following him up and down like a pair of perfectly •drilled soldiers.

"Come with me! Come with me!" she panted, quivering and pale. "If you want the evidence of your own eyes, and •if he is there still, I'll show you the little .grey man. He was there a minute ago ; I saw him."

They hurriedly retraced their steps. The fire had been made on the edge of a high bank overlooking the lake. They approached it on the lake side. As they •approached the fire Edie whispered : " There, look ! Can you see the grey figure now?"

" Good heavens !" exclaimed the Captain, coming to a stop. There sat the little grey man, smoking hisi pipe, and prodding a stick idly into the fire.

For some time they stood watching the ■ghostly figure. Then the bigger retriever of the two walked slowly towards the •figure, with his hair rising along his back and neck, his tail shaking timorously, and his eyes gleaming. Within two feet -of the grey figure it whined piteously. and, turning tail, bolted for its life. "Stay here," said Captain Herbert solemnly to Miss David, and leaving her •standing on the edge of the bank, he walked quickly up to the figure by the fire. He made as if to place his hand -on the little grey man's shoulder, and it passed through the air and fell limply by his side. An agonising scream came from the caravan, and Lilly Cayley. shrieking with terror, ran down the steps .and rushed headlong at Edith David. She had been an eye-witnes6 of the whole thing through the window of the caravan. It all happened too suddenly for anyone to think about it. Mad with terror, the frightened girl plunged headlong into her friend, and they both fell over the bank into the lake. The horror-striking thought rushed through Captain Herbert's mind : that because of the lack of buoyancy no ■drowned bodies ever came to the surface -of the lake again. He had bathed in the lake, and he knew it to be a fact. But without hesitation he kicked off his shoes and plunged in after the two girls just as the rest of the party came rushing up. It was an agonising task in the dark, and Captain Herbert, as he rose, remained perfectly quiet trying to locate some sound -of the struggling girls. He had forgotten that her brothers had told him that Edith David was a wonderful swimmer for a girl. Somewhere to his right he heard her crying out : " Oh, do try not to struggle, Lilly dear !" and he plunged with powerful strokes towards them. How he blessed the practice he had had in the roaring Cabul River, where the most expert swimmers in the world are to be found.

" Here you are," he shouted as he reached them. " Are you all right, Mies David ? Leave Miss Cayley to me. Can you get ashore safely?" "I'll try." gasped Edith; "but don't let poor Lilly drown." "Don't fear that; I'll bring her ashore," he replied, fighting calmly and desperately with the maddened girl by his side.

There were four distinct splashes in the ■water behind them, and Bertram, Noel, Reuben, and Charles Cayley came racing towards them.

" Thank God you are here, David !" panted Captain Herbert. " Here. Cayley, -take your sister on the other side. She

is nearly unconscious now. Bert rain, take m\ place; I'll see after jour sister." He swam rapidly to Edith Da\ id, and found her sinking.

'' Oh. I'm done !"' she cried as he came up to her.

"Never fear, I'll sa\e you. Remain as still as you can."' he .said, and, turning over on his back, struck out desperately for the bank.

It was an awful struggle. Owing to the depth of water and the lack of buo\ - ancy, it required an almost superhuman effort to reach the shore. But they got there at last. Edith David, half unconscious, found herself in Captain Herbert's arms, and heard him say as he kissed her passionately : " Oh, my love, my brave love ! If I had lost you !"' They all reached the land safely, and the two girls were carried to the fire. The caravan was blazing away, on fire everywhere. Mies Cayley had up^et the kerosene lamp in her terrified flight, and the caravan had thus caught fire. Edith David was conscious, and rapidly came round, but Miss Cayley lay like death. Captain Herbert, with the experience of the old campaigner, set to work hard to restore animation. With the help of Bertram, he worked for an hour before they got any sign of life from the still figure lying in warm blankets in the tent. Noel David was off like a shot on a 10-mile ride to Queenstown for a doctor and an ambulance. Meanwhile Edith David, who had recovered from her shock, was helping the others to restore her friend. After two hours Miss Cayley began to breathe regularly, a faint flush came to her face, her eyelids quivered and opened, and she was conscious once more. The arrival of tho doctor was a great relief, and after examining his patient, they were glad to hear him say :

" She is all right now. The only danger is from shock. Do not move her till tomorrow morning ; then you can bring her into Queenstown. Don't be anxious, I feel sure the young lady will be all righ 1 in a few days." Reuben, Noel, and Charles Cayley were rather inclined to regret the loss of the caravan, whose charred remains smoked the whole night through. But Edith David whispered timorously to her brother and Captain Herbert : "I'm glad it has gone. No one else will get a shock now through seeing that ghastly grey figure. Poor Lilly. I do hone she won't remember it."

But for weeks after Miss Cayley' s reason verged on the fringe of ineanitv. To her fragile, nervous nature the shock had been disastrous. And for yeare after, when she had recovered and had become Mrs Bertram David, she used to shudder violently when she recalled the little grey man sit ting by the fire, and Captain Herbert' 6 hand falling limply through his body.

"You believe in ghosts now. don't you?" asked Mrs Kenneth Scott-Herbert of her husband one Christmas night. 6omc two years after that gentleman had helped her out of the deep waters of Lake Wakatipu.

" I have only 6een one in mv life, dearest, and I have to thank him for giving me the sweetest and bravest wife in the world."

'• And I got the dearest husband, too. through spending one Christmas holiday in a haunted caravan." was her an*n-or.