But this whispered assurance of defense had the contrary effect from what was intended, for Eveline at once had her fears confirmed that there was danger to be apprehended.  She did not, however, manifest her increased apprehensions of evil, but seemed as calm as possible until she was shown her sleeping apartment for the night, which was a room on the first floor, with a bolt to the rude door on the inside.  She fastened herself in; but instead of sleeping, put out her light, and listened with sharpened ears to every noise that disturbed the stillness of the night.  She had been in her room but a little while when she was startled by a call from without: 

“Halloo, the house!”

She waited a moment, and then heard the owner go to the door and demand: 

“Who’s there?”

“A benighted traveler, who has lost his way, and wishes to obtain shelter for the night.”

“The house is already full of guests, and I cannot take any more.”

“Let him in;” said Bill, whose voice Eveline recognized.  “He may be worth taking in, you know.”

The man then called out: 

“My guests think you can be accommodated; so you may come in, I reckon, and share such fare and lodging as we can give, which are none the best.”

“If you will show me the way to the stable, I will first see to my horse,” said the traveler.

The host pointed out a shed where the beast could stand, and soon the two returned to the house.

The moment the new-comer entered the door, Bill and Dick cast inquiring glances at each other; paleness as of death was on their cheeks, and superstitious alarm at their hearts; for in the stranger they beheld CHARLES HADLEY!  Was it his ghost come to torment them in the hour of their triumph and security?  Several minutes passed before they could be assured of his identity, that he was veritably flesh and blood, and not a spirit.  It was well for them that the obscure light of the room cast their features in shadow, or their blanched cheeks and disquiet looks might have betrayed them.  In a very short time they found it convenient, as on a former occasion, when seeking the life of the same man, to go out to see after their horses.

“Well, Dick!” said Bill, when they were alone, “What now?”

“D——­n me, ef I didn’t think the dead had come to life, when I first seen that feller!  He must be bullet proof, for I placed my pistol plumb ag’in’ him when I fired.  I’m half a mind to believe yet that it’s his ghost.”

“But it is not his ghost, that’s certain, though I could have sworn that he was dead; and we must get rid of him, some way, or he’ll play the d——­l with us.”

“I think the best thing we can do is, to leave the gal in his care, and cut stick for Virginny as straight as we can shoot.”

“Nonsense!  We can easily get old Sampson to kill him for his money, and that will save us from any further fear of his revealing our secret.”