"Just so," said Mr. Farrer. "You're a man, ain't you? Well, I'll do
anything that you'll do."

"Pph!" said the sergeant-major. "I've done my little lot. I've been in
action four times, and wounded in three places. That's my tally."

"The colonel said once that my husband doesn't know what fear is," said
Mrs. Ward, timidly. "He's afraid of nothing."

"Except ghosts," remarked her daughter, softly.

"Hold your tongue, miss," said her father, twisting his moustache. "No
sensible man is afraid of what doesn't exist."

"A lot of people believe they do, though," said Mr. Farrer, breaking in.
"I heard the other night that old Smith's ghost has been seen again
swinging from the apple tree. Three people have seen it."

"Rubbish!" said the sergeant-major.

"Maybe," said the young man; "but I'll bet you, Mr. Ward, for all your
courage, that you won't go up there alone at twelve o'clock one night to
see."

"I thought I ordered you out of my house just now," said the sergeant-
major, glaring at him.

"Going into action," said Mr. Farrer, pausing at the door, "is one thing
--you have to obey orders and you can't help yourself; but going to a