It's
Weston, eh? Well, his room's just there at the head of the stairs."
He pointed to the door which gave an entrance to the rear hall, but as
I wished to be a bit formal in my call on the stranger, I suggested
that Mr. Spiker might oblige me by seeing if the gentleman was at home.
This seemed entirely unnecessary to mine host, and he wanted to argue
the point. But I insisted, and he arose with a sigh, and taking the
lamp in his hand, disappeared, leaving me in utter darkness. The door
banged shut behind him and I heard him at the foot of the stairs
roaring "Ho-ho-there-ho!"
No answer came from the floor above. Again sounded the stentorian
tones.
"Mark says as if you are there, you're to come down; he wants to see
you."
A last "Ho-there-ho"; a long silence; the door opened. There was light
again and Elmer was before me.
"He ain't there, I guess," he said. "Still, if you want me to make
sure, I'll go up."
[Illustration: No answer came from the floor above.]
Inasmuch as mine host's cries must still be echoing in the uttermost
parts of the house, it seemed needless to compel him to take the climb.
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