able to see it at all," replied Drysdale with great difficulty. "I began
to think it must have been imagination on my part, but now, that you
have seen it, I know that it was a ghost."
Drysdale was so helpless, that it was necessary for one gentleman to
ride on each side of him to hold him in his saddle. On arriving at his
place, they helped him into the house, and left him in charge of his
wife. He immediately went to bed, and during the night, he suffered a
great deal. Mrs. Potter heard him groaning, tossing, and muttering until
nearly daylight.
The story of the ghost was soon freely circulated by O'Fallon and
Breed, though they could not describe the apparition at all. Still, it
created quite an excitement, and the results were not very beneficial to
the neighborhood, for the reason that no negro could be induced to pass
along that part of the road after dark; indeed, there were a great many
educated white people who would not ride past the spot alone on a dark
night.
Drysdale was confined to his room for several days, during which time he
received no visitors except Andrews. It was curious to observe what a
strong preference he showed for his new-found friend.
Just at this time I decided to re-visit Atkinson myself, and on my
arrival there I had a long interview with Messrs. Ballantine, McGregor,
and Gordon. I explained to them all the steps I had taken, and they
learned to their great astonishment that Mr. Andrews, Mrs. Potter, and
Mr. Green were my detectives. The ghost was Green, whose resemblance to
young Gordon was a great aid in carrying out the scheme. Mrs. Potter had
voluntarily fallen from her horse in order to get herself carried into
Drysdale's house, and it was she who sprinkled the blood over Drysdale's
clothing and down the walk. After settling all our plans, I returned to
the hotel, where I was easily able to obtain a private interview with
Mr. Andrews and Mr. Green.
I gave full instructions to Andrews, and he informed Mrs. Potter of my
wishes, at the same time conveying to her another large bottle of blood.
_CHAPTER VII._
About one o'clock that night Mrs. Potter rose, quietly dressed herself,
and stealthily left the house. She walked to the nearest point on the
creek and began to drop blood from her bottle. She spilled small
portions of it all the way back to the house, up the front walk, in the
hall, and finally, slipping into Drysdale's room, she scattered the
crimson drops on his pillow. She then retired to bed.
When she awoke in the morning, she found Mrs. Drysdale in a very uneasy
state of mind. She said that her husband had again been attacked by
bleeding at the nose, and that he was quite weak from the loss of blood.
Mrs. Potter deeply sympathized with Mrs. Drysdale, but she could assist
her only by kind and consoling words.
The family had hardly finished their breakfast when a number of the
neighbors came in in a high state of excitement. They said that blood
had been discovered on the grass near where the ghost had been seen, and
that quite a crowd had gathered around it. They had found other
blood-marks at intervals along the road, and on following the direction
in which they traveled, it was found that they led straight to
Drysdale's house. The question now arose, did the wounded person go from
the house to the creek, or _vice versa_. Drysdale was terribly excited
on learning of the discovery, and he was soon in a species of delirium.
It was known that he was quite sick, so that the neighbors soon
withdrew. Many thought that the blood was that of a burglar or negro
sneak-thief, who might have gone to Drysdale's house to steal, but who
had been frightened off before he had secured any plunder. The blood
might have been from an old hurt. Others, more superstitiously inclined,
believed that the ghost was in some way responsible for the blood. No
one was able to solve the mystery, however, and it added to the terror
with which the ghost story had inspired the negroes.
Drysdale was now confined to his bed, and he would see no one except his
wife and Andrews. He insisted that he was not sick, but only run down by
overwork, and so refused to have a doctor. Andrews' influence over him
was greater than that of any one else, and it was plain that the latter
had completely secured his confidence. As I now felt convinced that
Drysdale would surely confess in a short time, I returned to Chicago,
leaving the whole charge of the operation with Andrews.
A few nights later Mrs. Potter was troubled with the tooth-ache, and she
lay awake most of the night. Suddenly she heard footsteps in Drysdale's
room, and then she saw Drysdale pass her window on the veranda. He was
dressed in slippers and night-dress, and his actions were so strange
that she determined to follow him. Hastily putting on some dark clothes,
she hurried cautiously after him. The night was clear with no moon, and
she was able to distinguish his white figure at a considerable distance.
He walked rapidly to the creek and followed its windings a short
distance; then he paused a few minutes, as if reflecting. This enabled
Mrs. Potter to hide herself near by in some undergrowth, whence she
could watch him more carefully. To her great astonishment, she saw him
walk into the creek at a shallow spot, and begin wading up against the
current. Very soon he stopped and leaned over with his hands in the
water, as if he were feeling for something. In a few minutes he came out
of the stream, on the opposite side from that on which he had entered,
and took a path to a footbridge leading across the creek toward his
house. As soon as she saw that he was on his way back, she hastened home
as rapidly as possible, arriving there only a few seconds before him.
The next morning, Drysdale appeared at the breakfast table for the first
time, in several days. He remarked that he felt much better, but he said
nothing of his midnight walk, nor did his wife, as she had slept in a
separate room; however, she was probably ignorant of it.
Neither Mrs. Potter, nor Mr. Andrews could imagine what Drysdale's
object was in making his pilgrimage to the creek at that time of night,
especially as he had always shown the greatest aversion to that
vicinity, ever since he had first seen the ghost. I was equally puzzled
when I was informed of his freak, but I determined to make use of the
incident, in case he should do the same thing again. I therefore
instructed Andrews to have Green watch the house every night, dressed in
his apparition suit. He was then to "shadow" Drysdale, when the latter
went out, and if a favorable opportunity should present itself, he was
to appear before him in full view in the role of the ghost.
By this time, Drysdale had recovered sufficiently, to attend to his
office duties, but he always seemed anxious to have Andrews with him.
Andrews had talked very encouragingly to him, showed a good deal of
sympathy, and thus, they had became quite confidential friends. He,
therefore, assured Drysdale that he should be happy to give him as much
of his company, as possible, if it would afford Drysdale any pleasure.
"You are very kind, Mr. Andrews," said Drysdale; "you may think it
strange, but I feel a sense of relief, when I am with you, especially
lately. I wonder if I shall ever be better," he mused plaintively.
"Why, certainly; we hope for your speedy recovery," said Andrews,
cheerfully. "You let trivial matters prey on your mind, and you must
stop it, for your health will not stand it."
"Well, I shall try," responded Drysdale feebly.
One evening, Mrs. Drysdale was sitting at Mrs. Potter's side, waiting
for her husband's return. By this time, Mrs. Potter was able to sit up,
and even to move about the room somewhat.
"My husband is failing in health, I fear," said Mrs. Drysdale.
"I am afraid so, too," replied Mrs. Potter, "and I feel sorry to think
that I am a burden upon you at the same time; but, I hope to be well
soon, and then I will help you take care of him."
"You have been no burden, whatever, Mrs. Potter; on the contrary, your
company has been a great comfort to me. But, I was thinking, that if my
husband would try a change of air and life, it would be a great help to
him. I should miss him sadly, but I would make any sacrifice to see him
restored to health."
At the tea table Mrs. Drysdale said:
"I was just speaking to Mrs. Potter about your health, Aleck, and I
thought that if you would go away for a time, the change of scenery, and
habits of life, would be very advantageous. Why don't you go down to New
Orleans with Mr. Andrews? He is always talking of going there, but he is
too lazy to start. You could both enjoy yourselves very much, and I know
it would do you good. You would return as healthy and happy as you
always used to be."
"I have been thinking of going there, or to some other place," said
Drysdale, "but I can't leave just now. I think a trip would do me good,
and as soon as I feel able to do so, I will get Andrews to go with me."
Nothing of interest occurred for several days. Green kept a close watch
every night, but Drysdale did not appear. Andrews got Drysdale to go out
hunting with him twice, but each time, Drysdale succeeded in arriving at
home before dark. Green had kept up his vigils for over a week, and he
began to think there was no use in them. One night, however, as he lay
behind a bush, watching the house, he was suddenly aware of a white
figure gliding noiselessly by him. Forewarned, though he was, the
ghostly stillness with which it moved, gave him quite a severe fright,
before he recollected that it was Drysdale. He immediately followed the
figure and noted his every movement. In the same way, as he had done at
first, he now proceeded, and after walking up the stream a short
distance, he reached down, felt for something at the bottom, and then
came out. As he slowly walked home, he passed within a few feet of
Green, who made a considerable noise to attract his attention; but,
Drysdale passed straight on, looking neither to the right nor left, and
Green was unable to play ghost for the lack of an audience.
Green's account was the exact counterpart of Mrs. Potter's, and I was
puzzled to account for this new move. As I sat in my office, in Chicago,
with Green's report before me, the idea flashed into my mind, that
possibly some of the stolen money was hidden at the bottom of the creek.
Recollecting the gold pieces, which had been found on the banks of the
creek, I surmised that the remainder of the gold was buried somewhere in
the bed of the stream. I had no doubt of the eventual recovery of all
the money, and so I decided to let that matter rest until I had complete
evidence of Drysdale's guilt.
A few days after the midnight walk, Drysdale invited Andrews to make
another visit to the plantation, saying,
"My overseer sends me word that he needs a great many things, and I
think I had better go out to see what is wanted, myself. I would like to
have you go with me, for, to tell the truth, I am almost afraid to go
alone."
"I shall be very glad, indeed, to go; when shall we start?"
"Let us start Monday, and return Friday, as before," replied Drysdale.
"Very well," said Andrews. "I shall be ready on time."
At the first opportunity, Andrews informed Green of their intended
visit, and told him that in order to insure the success of their plan,
it would be best for him to ride out to the plantation, also, on
Wednesday or Thursday. He could thus be on hand in his ghostly capacity
whenever wanted. Green promised to be at a certain spot, near the
plantation, on Wednesday afternoon, to receive instructions from
Andrews, and all their arrangements were then completed.
Andrews took breakfast with Drysdale before starting, Monday morning,
and at table, Mrs. Drysdale said:
"Aleck, Mrs. Potter is so far recovered, that I guess we shall drive out
to the plantation on Wednesday or Thursday, and spend a day or two with
you."
"That will be delightful," replied Drysdale, "and we shall look for you
with great pleasure."
"Well, if the ladies are coming at that time, I hope they will bring our
mail, for I expect an important letter," said Andrews.
"Oh, certainly," said Mrs. Drysdale; "and, if anything should prevent us
from coming, I will send your letters by a servant."
Andrews had written to me of the intended visit to the plantation, and
he was anxious to receive any instructions I might send, before he
returned to town.
The two gentlemen mounted their horses and cantered off. Drysdale
appeared in better spirits than at any time for several weeks, and by
the time they reached the plantation, he was quite gay and cheerful. He
had a great deal to attend to, and Andrews gave him very considerable
assistance. They were kept quite constantly busy until Wednesday noon,
when Mrs. Drysdale and Mrs. Potter arrived in a carriage, bringing the
mail. As Andrews had expected, there was a letter for him, in which I
instructed him to have Green appear to Drysdale, in the small grove of
trees, where he had acted so queerly during their last visit. From
Drysdale's manner in this grove, I had concluded that some of the money
was buried there, and I therefore, considered it a good place for the
ghost to appear.
On reading my letter, Andrews remarked that he should be obliged to go
to Atkinson, to send a telegram, as his letter required an immediate
answer, but that he should return the same evening. This, of course, was
only an excuse to get away to meet Green, and so his horse was brought
up at once, and he rode away. Green was punctual at the rendezvous, and
Andrews gave him full instructions; he was to remain in sight of the
house, on the side near the little grove of trees, until an opportunity
should occur to appear before Drysdale. Andrews then took a long ride
over the country, so as to delay his return to the plantation until
after dark. During the evening, Mrs. Potter told him that Drysdale had
visited the little grove that afternoon, but she was, of course, unable
to follow him.
The next evening, after supper, Andrews proposed taking a short walk,
and they all started out together. By chance, they took the direction of
the little grove, previously mentioned, and they were all in fine
spirits. Mrs. Potter, however, was obliged to walk very slowly, owing to
her injured knee, and Mrs. Drysdale kept her company; the two gentlemen
were, therefore, some distance in the advance, when they reached the
edge of the grove. Drysdale had been unusually cheerful until then, but
as they entered the shadow, he began to lose his gayety, as if something
disagreeable had been suggested to him. It was now approaching twilight,
and he turned toward Andrews half pettishly, and said:
"Don't go into that dismal place; let us stay out in the open walk. I
never like to go into such----"
The words died on his tongue, and he nearly fell down from fright.
There, crossing their path in the sombre shades of the grove, was that
terrible spectre with its ghastly face, measured step, and clotted hair.
It passed into the deep recesses of the grove, while Drysdale watched it
like a condemned criminal. As it moved out of sight, he fell to the
ground like a dead man, and Andrews called for help. Mrs. Drysdale
hurried up in great alarm, and took her husband's head in her lap, while
Mrs. Potter chafed his hands and held her vinaigrette to his nostrils.
Mr. Andrews quickly called some negroes from the house, and they carried
their unconscious master to his room. He was soon restored to his
senses, but he was in a pitiable condition. The least sound made him
start like a person in the _delirium tremens_, and he muttered to
himself constantly. Finally he caught Andrews by the hand and said:
"Andrews, didn't you see that horrible ghost?"
"No, indeed; I saw no ghost," replied Andrews. "Did either of you see
it?" he continued, turning to the ladies.
They both answered negatively.
"If there really had been such a thing we certainly should have seen
it," said Mrs. Potter.
"Well, I know that I saw it, and it is terrible to think that I should
be the only one to whom this thing appears," said Drysdale.
Andrews handed him a drink of brandy, which revived his strength a great
deal, and he again began to talk about the ghost.
"I can't understand, Andrews, why you didn't see it," he said; "it
passed within fifty feet of us, and it was truly terrible."
"It is certainly very strange," replied Andrews. "Here are three persons
that did _not_ see it, yet you insist that you did. What did it look
like? You have never yet described it to me."
Drysdale made no reply, but a look of renewed dread came over his face,
and he reached for more brandy, which was given him.
"It surely must be some disease of the brain," said Mrs. Drysdale,
tearfully, "for he frequently imagines that he sees strange sights, and
I am afraid to think what will happen. If he would only go to some
watering-place, and put himself under the care of a reliable physician,
he would soon get better."
"The doctors can do me no good, my dear," he said controlling himself by
a great effort; "do not be alarmed, but let me go to sleep for a while
and I shall be better."
Mr. Andrews and Mrs. Potter left the room in a few minutes, as Mr.
Drysdale evidently wished to be left alone. They had ample opportunity
for consultation, and they decided that Green had better stay near by
all night, to watch the house and the grove.
"If that is to be done," said Mrs. Potter, "I will go and put up a
lunch which you can take to him, since if he is to remain out there all
night, he will not be able to get anything to eat, and you know that a
hungry ghost cannot do as well as one which is well fed."
She soon prepared a large lunch, and added to it a small bottle of wine,
which she gave to Andrews. He immediately hastened out to the grove, and
found Green at a point where they had agreed to meet. He gave the food
to Green, and told him to keep a close watch on the house all night; in
case of anything occurring he was to tap on the window of Andrews' room,
which was on the ground floor. Andrews then returned to the house,
leaving Green to eat his lunch, drink his wine and keep watch.
The night was damp and warm, and the insects were particularly active,
so that Green's duty was none of the pleasantest. The hours slipped
wearily by until after midnight, when he saw a white figure emerge from
the house and approach the little grove. He hastily gained an open spot
where, in the bright starlight, he could be plainly seen, and, as
Drysdale advanced, he slowly paced toward him. To Green's astonishment,
Drysdale passed within two feet of him without noticing his presence in
any way; they passed so close to each other that Green was forced to
step to one side, yet Drysdale walked slowly on until he reached the
grove. Here he walked around a moment or two and then returned to the
house. Green immediately tapped on Andrews' window and related what had
occurred. There being no new developments, Green returned to the wood
where he had picketed his horse, and then rode back to Atkinson.
_CHAPTER VIII._
Friday morning Drysdale appeared at breakfast and tried to appear
natural and at ease. He spoke of his peculiar hallucination, but his
remarks were simply repetitions of those he had frequently made before.
Andrews again requested him to describe the appearance of the spectre,
but Drysdale seemed averse to continuing the conversation on that
subject, and so it was dropped.
Immediately after dinner they started for Atkinson, the gentlemen on
horseback, and the ladies in the carriage. As Andrews could offer no
plausible excuse for detaining them, Mrs. Potter was obliged to try what
she could do. By making two calls on acquaintances living along the
road, she was enabled to keep back their arrival much later than
Drysdale liked, though not late enough for her purpose. It was too early
to have Green appear, as there were so many people traveling on the road
that he might be seen by others and the trick exposed.
It was quite evident that Drysdale was in a miserable condition. He was
sure that he had seen the ghost of George Gordon, and he was in a state
of momentary dread and suspense. He had entertained thoughts of leaving
the place, but he dared not. Like Eugene Aram, he pictured himself as
continually haunted by the spirit of his victim, and he feared lest
others should see it, and accuse him of the murder. His health failed
rapidly; his form was emaciated, his cheeks hollow, his eyes haggard and
sunken. It was clearly only a question of time how soon he confessed or
went insane.
Green continued his night watches about the house, and again one night
Drysdale passed out to the creek and acted as before. This time,
however, he had his clothes on, and as he passed Green at arms length,
it seemed almost incredible that he should have failed to see him. Green
took particular pains to identify the exact spot where Drysdale had
searched in the water, and he marked it carefully by placing a stone on
each side of the bank opposite where Drysdale had stopped.
The following night Mrs. Potter got up and went into Drysdale's room,
where he was sleeping alone. She then dropped some blood on his pillow,
on the floor, and around the bed. Then passing out, she left the trail
as before from the house toward Rocky Creek. Drysdale was horrified
early next morning when he saw the blood-stains. He groaned piteously as
he walked about the room, and then followed the spots out to the front
gate. On seeing that they continued beyond this, he came back with a
most dejected and helpless look. Mrs. Potter saw him go into his room,
and, by looking through the keyhole of the connecting door, she was
enabled to see that he was engaged in washing out the spots on the floor
and bed clothes. He did not appear at the breakfast table, but his wife
told Mrs. Potter that he had had another severe attack of bleeding
during the night, and that he was very weak in consequence.
During the forenoon Mrs. Potter went in to see Mr. Drysdale, whom she
found in great distress physically and mentally. He was anxious to see
Mr. Andrews, and his wife sent a message to the hotel at once. In about
an hour Andrews came in.
"I am sorry to find you feeling so bad this morning," he said. "You were
looking quite well last evening. What is the trouble? Wouldn't you like
me to go for a doctor?"
"No, thank you; I shall get along better without physic," replied
Drysdale. "I was feeling unusually well last evening, but I had a severe
attack of bleeding last night, and I am very weak."
"Is there anything I can do for you?" asked Andrews.
"Well, yes; there are some papers in my office that should be sent to
Captain Rowland, a planter in the west end of the county, and as it is
important that they should be delivered soon, I should be greatly
obliged if you would get them and send them off."
"Certainly, certainly," said Andrews; "where shall I find them?"
"They are in the left-hand pigeon-hole of my upright desk, in the
office, and you can send them by Dan. Marston, who lives near the
court-house; he is very faithful and trustworthy. Any one can tell you
where to find him."
"Oh, I know Dan.," said Andrews, "he has done several errands for me.
Where are your keys?"
"They are on the bureau, yonder; but, Andrews, I wish you would come
back after you have sent the papers. I always feel better when I hear
you talking; when I am alone I keep thinking about that spirit, and I
tell you it is terrible. You will come back, won't you?"
"Oh, certainly, I shall be glad to keep you company while you are under
the weather."
When Andrews started off with the keys, a sudden thought flashed into
his mind, and he first went to his room, where he obtained some blood,
of which he had quite a supply. He then went to Drysdale's private
office and dropped some blood on the desk, chairs and floor, and also on
the wrapper of Captain Rowland's papers. He was well known to the deputy
clerk, and so no one questioned his right to go to Drysdale's desk. On
leaving the private office, he locked the door, and hurried back to
Drysdale's house with the papers. He entered Drysdale's room in an
excited manner, and said:
"Why, Drysdale, you must have been bleeding at the office, for there is
blood on your chairs, desk, and on these papers; look there!"