funk working in a certain field on the slope of the hill."

"A ghost here!" exclaimed the amused professor. "Then our whole
conception of the psychology of ghosts must be revised. This
island has been uninhabited probably since the dawn of ages. How
did a ghost come here. By air or water? And why did it leave its
native haunts. Was it from misanthropy? Was he expelled from some
community of spirits?"

Renouard essayed to respond in the same tone. The words died on
his lips. Was it a man or a woman ghost, the professor inquired.

"I don't know." Renouard made an effort to appear at ease. He
had, he said, a couple of Tahitian amongst his boys--a ghost-ridden
race. They had started the scare. They had probably brought their
ghost with them.

"Let us investigate the matter, Renouard," proposed the professor
half in earnest. "We may make some interesting discoveries as to
the state of primitive minds, at any rate."

This was too much. Renouard jumped up and leaving the room went
out and walked about in front of the house. He would allow no one
to force his hand. Presently the professor joined him outside. He
carried his parasol, but had neither his book nor his pipe with
him. Amiably serious he laid his hand on his "dear young friend's"
arm.

"We are all of us a little strung up," he said. "For my part I
have been like sister Anne in the story. But I cannot see anything