"Shut the
door, somebody," he said, "there's too much draught."
"It is shut," said White, glancing behind him.
Meagle fingered his chin. "Who shut it?" he inquired, looking from one
to the other. "Who came in last?"
"I did," said Lester, "but I don't remember shutting it--perhaps I did,
though."
Meagle, about to speak, thought better of it, and, still carefully
guarding the flame, began to explore the house, with the others close
behind. Shadows danced on the walls and lurked in the corners as they
proceeded. At the end of the passage they found a second staircase, and
ascending it slowly gained the first floor.
"Careful!" said Meagle, as they gained the landing.
He held the candle forward and showed where the balusters had broken
away. Then he peered curiously into the void beneath.
"This is where the tramp hanged himself, I suppose," he said
thoughtfully.
"You've got an unwholesome mind," said White, as they walked on. "This
place is qutie creepy enough without your remembering that. Now let's
find a comfortable room and have a little nip of whiskey apiece and a
pipe.
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