'
"'And still he is not daunted--he is not afraid?'
"'He is not afraid. Honestly, putting ghosts entirely on one side, I
should not care to be in his shoes, all alone in a lonely house.'
"'And you would be right, sir,' was the answer. 'A man must be mad to
run such a risk.'
"'So I told him,' I agreed.
"'Why, I would not stay in that house alone for any money which could be
offered to me,' he went on, eagerly.
"'I cannot go so far as that,' I said; 'but still it must be a very
large sum which could induce me to do so.'
"'It ought to be pulled down, sir,' he continued; 'the walls ought to be
razed to the ground.'
"'I suppose they will,' I answered, 'when Miss Elmsdale, the owner,
comes of age; unless, indeed, our modern Don Quixote runs the ghost to
earth before that time.'
"'Did you say the young man was ill?' asked my companion.
"'He has got a cold,' I answered.
"'And colds are nasty things to get rid of,' he commented, 'particularly
in those low-lying localities. That is a most unhealthy part; you ought
to order your patient a thorough change of air.'
"'I have, but he won't take advice,' was my reply. 'He has nailed his
colours to the mast, and means, I believe, to stay in River Hall till he
kills the ghost, or the ghost kills him.
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