“The true one is that the new wing covers a former mound.” “Quite right; it does.” “If my theory is correct, it was upon this mound that the cabin of Dame Pryce formerly stood.” “It’s quite possible; they used to allow dirty hovels to be erected alongside one’s very walls in those days—quite possible.” “Moreover, from what I’ve learnt from Ord—whom I interviewed at the Hall—and from such accounts as are obtainable of the death of Seager, this mound, and not the interior of Low Fennel as it then stood, was the scene of the apparitions.” “You’ve got me out of my depth again, Addison. What d’you mean?” “Seager was strangled outside the house, not inside.” [43] [43] “I believe that’s true,” agreed the Major, still shouting at the top of his voice, but gradually growing hoarser; “I remember they found him lying on the step, or something.” “Then again, the apparition with the contorted face which peered in at Mrs. Ord——” “Lies, all lies!” “I don’t agree with you, Major. She was trying to shield her husband, but I think she saw the contorted face right enough. At any rate it’s interesting to note that the visitant came from outside the house again.” “But,” cried the Major, banging his fist upon the table, “it wanders about inside the house, and—and—damn it all!—it goes outside as well!” “Where it goes,” I interrupted quietly, “is not the point. The point is, where it comes from.” “Then where do you believe it comes from?” “I believe the trouble arises, in the strictest sense of the word, from the same spot whence it arose in the days of Matthew Hopkins, and from which it had probably arisen ages before Low Fennel was built.” “What the—”
Prev.
Back
Top