"Yes; only you might listen. So did I, but I deny it no longer. The
case is altered when I tell you in all seriousness--when I take
my oath if you like--that I do believe now there is something in
this. I don't say it's supernatural, and I don't say it isn't; but
I do feel deeply impressed in my mind now, and it's growing stronger
every minute, that there's something here out of the common and
really infernally dangerous."

The other looked at him in astonishment.

"What bee has got into your bonnet?"

"Don't call it that. It's a conviction, Tom. Do be guided by me,
old chap!"

The sailor flushed a little, emptied his glass, and rose.

"If you really wanted to choke me off, you chose a funny way to do
so. Surely it only needed this to determine anybody. If you, as
a sane person, honestly believe there's a pinch of danger in that
blessed place, then I certainly sleep there to-night, or else wake
there."

"Let me come, too, then, Tom."

"That be damned for a yarn! Ghosts don't show up for two people--
haven't got pluck enough. If I get any sport, I'll be quite
straight about it, and you shall try your luck to-morrow."