"What the devil does it mean?"

Lieutenant Dudley pushed through the ranks from his place in the
rear.

"It means this," he said, throwing open his coat and displaying a
visibly broadening stain of crimson on his breast. His knees gave
way; he fell awkwardly and lay dead.

A little later the regiment was ordered out of line to relieve the
congested front, and through some misplay in the game of battle was
not again under fire. Nor did Bennett Greene, expert in military
executions, ever again signify his presence at one.




SOME HAUNTED HOUSES




THE ISLE OF PINES



For many years there lived near the town of Gallipolis, Ohio, an old
man named Herman Deluse. Very little was known of his history, for
he would neither speak of it himself nor suffer others. It was a
common belief among his neighbors that he had been a pirate--if upon