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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10787 ***
+
+SAILORS' KNOTS
+
+By W.W. Jacobs
+
+
+1909
+
+
+
+"THE TOLL-HOUSE"
+
+
+"It's all nonsense," said Jack Barnes.  "Of course people have died in the
+house; people die in every house.  As for the noises--wind in the chimney
+and rats in the wainscot are very convincing to a nervous man.  Give me
+another cup of tea, Meagle."
+
+"Lester and White are first," said Meagle, who was presiding at the
+tea-table of the Three Feathers Inn.  "You've had two."
+
+Lester and White finished their cups with irritating slowness, pausing
+between sips to sniff the aroma, and to discover the sex and dates of
+arrival of the "strangers" which floated in some numbers in the beverage.
+Mr. Meagle served them to the brim, and then, turning to the grimly
+expectant Mr. Barnes, blandly requested him to ring for hot water.
+
+"We'll try and keep your nerves in their present healthy condition," he
+remarked.  "For my part I have a sort of half-and-half belief in the
+super-natural."
+
+"All sensible people have," said Lester.  "An aunt of mine saw a ghost
+once."
+
+White nodded.
+
+"I had an uncle that saw one," he said.
+
+"It always is somebody else that sees them," said Barnes.
+
+"Well, there is a house," said Meagle, "a large house at an absurdly low
+rent, and nobody will take it.  It has taken toll of at least one life of
+every family that has lived there--however short the time--and since it
+has stood empty caretaker after care-taker has died there.  The last
+caretaker died fifteen years ago."
+
+"Exactly," said Barnes.  "Long enough ago for legends to accumulate."
+
+"I'll bet you a sovereign you won't spend the night there alone, for all
+your talk," said White, suddenly.
+
+"And I," said Lester.
+
+"No," said Barnes slowly.  "I don't believe in ghosts nor in any
+supernatural things whatever; all the same I admit that I should not care
+to pass a night there alone."
+
+"But why not?"  inquired White.
+
+"Wind in the chimney," said Meagle with a grin.
+
+"Rats in the wainscot," chimed in Lester.  "As you like," said Barnes
+coloring.
+
+"Suppose we all go," said Meagle.  "Start after supper, and get there
+about eleven.  We have been walking for ten days now without an
+adventure--except Barnes's discovery that ditchwater smells longest.  It
+will be a novelty, at any rate, and, if we break the spell by all
+surviving, the grateful owner ought to come down handsome."
+
+"Let's see what the landlord has to say about it first," said Lester.
+"There is no fun in passing a night in an ordinary empty house.  Let us
+make sure that it is haunted."
+
+He rang the bell, and, sending for the landlord, appealed to him in the
+name of our common humanity not to let them waste a night watching in a
+house in which spectres and hobgoblins had no part.  The reply was more
+than reassuring, and the landlord, after describing with considerable art
+the exact appearance of a head which had been seen hanging out of a
+window in the moonlight, wound up with a polite but urgent request that
+they would settle his bill before they went.
+
+"It's all very well for you young gentlemen to have your fun," he said
+indulgently; "but supposing as how you are all found dead in the morning,
+what about me?  It ain't called the Toll-House for nothing, you know."
+
+"Who died there last?"  inquired Barnes, with an air of polite derision.
+
+"A tramp," was the reply.  "He went there for the sake of half a crown,
+and they found him next morning hanging from the balusters, dead."
+
+"Suicide," said Barnes.  "Unsound mind."
+
+The landlord nodded.  "That's what the jury brought it in," he said
+slowly; "but his mind was sound enough when he went in there.  I'd known
+him, off and on, for years.  I'm a poor man, but I wouldn't spend the
+night in that house for a hundred pounds."
+
+[Illustration: "I'm a poor man, but I wouldn't spend the night in that
+house for a hundred pounds."]
+
+He repeated this remark as they started on their expedition a few hours
+later.  They left as the inn was closing for the night; bolts shot
+noisily behind them, and, as the regular customers trudged slowly
+homewards, they set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the house.
+Most of the cottages were already in darkness, and lights in others went
+out as they passed.
+
+"It seems rather hard that we have got to lose a night's rest in order to
+convince Barnes of the existence of ghosts," said White.
+
+"It's in a good cause," said Meagle.  "A most worthy object; and
+something seems to tell me that we shall succeed.  You didn't forget the
+candles, Lester?"
+
+"I have brought two," was the reply; "all the old man could spare."
+
+There was but little moon, and the night was cloudy.  The road between
+high hedges was dark, and in one place, where it ran through a wood, so
+black that they twice stumbled in the uneven ground at the side of it.
+
+"Fancy leaving our comfortable beds for this!"  said White again.  "Let
+me see; this desirable residential sepulchre lies to the right, doesn't
+it?"
+
+"Farther on," said Meagle.
+
+They walked on for some time in silence, broken only by White's tribute
+to the softness, the cleanliness, and the comfort of the bed which was
+receding farther and farther into the distance.  Under Meagle's guidance
+they turned oft at last to the right, and, after a walk of a quarter of a
+mile, saw the gates of the house before them.
+
+[Illustration: "They saw the gates of the house before them."]
+
+The lodge was almost hidden by overgrown shrubs and the drive was choked
+with rank growths.  Meagle leading, they pushed through it until the dark
+pile of the house loomed above them.
+
+"There is a window at the back where we can get in, so the landlord
+says," said Lester, as they stood before the hall door.
+
+"Window?" said Meagle.  "Nonsense.  Let's do the thing properly.  Where's
+the knocker?"
+
+He felt for it in the darkness and gave a thundering rat-tat-tat at the
+door.
+
+"Don't play the fool," said Barnes crossly.
+
+"Ghostly servants are all asleep," said Meagle gravely, "but I'll wake
+them up before I've done with them.  It's scandalous keeping us out here
+in the dark."
+
+He plied the knocker again, and the noise volleyed in the emptiness
+beyond.  Then with a sudden exclamation he put out his hands and stumbled
+forward.
+
+"Why, it was open all the time," he said, with an odd catch in his voice.
+"Come on."
+
+"I don't believe it was open," said Lester, hanging back.  "Somebody is
+playing us a trick."
+
+"Nonsense," said Meagle sharply.  "Give me a candle.  Thanks.  Who's got
+a match?"
+
+Barnes produced a box and struck one, and Meagle, shielding the candle
+with his hand, led the way forward to the foot of the stairs.  "Shut the
+door, somebody," he said, "there's too much draught."
+
+"It is shut," said White, glancing behind him.
+
+Meagle fingered his chin.  "Who shut it?"  he inquired, looking from one
+to the other.  "Who came in last?"
+
+"I did," said Lester, "but I don't remember shutting it--perhaps I did,
+though."
+
+Meagle, about to speak, thought better of it, and, still carefully
+guarding the flame, began to explore the house, with the others close
+behind.  Shadows danced on the walls and lurked in the corners as they
+proceeded.  At the end of the passage they found a second staircase, and
+ascending it slowly gained the first floor.
+
+"Careful!" said Meagle, as they gained the landing.
+
+He held the candle forward and showed where the balusters had broken
+away.  Then he peered curiously into the void beneath.
+
+"This is where the tramp hanged himself, I suppose," he said
+thoughtfully.
+
+"You've got an unwholesome mind," said White, as they walked on.  "This
+place is qutie creepy enough without your remembering that.  Now let's
+find a comfortable room and have a little nip of whiskey apiece and a
+pipe.  How will this do?"
+
+He opened a door at the end of the passage and revealed a small square
+room.  Meagle led the way with the candle, and, first melting a drop or
+two of tallow, stuck it on the mantelpiece.  The others seated themselves
+on the floor and watched pleasantly as White drew from his pocket a small
+bottle of whiskey and a tin cup.
+
+"H'm!  I've forgotten the water," he exclaimed.  "I'll soon get some,"
+said Meagle.
+
+He tugged violently at the bell-handle, and the rusty jangling of a bell
+sounded from a distant kitchen.  He rang again.
+
+"Don't play the fool," said Barnes roughly.
+
+Meagle laughed.  "I only wanted to convince you," he said kindly.  "There
+ought to be, at any rate, one ghost in the servants' hall."
+
+Barnes held up his hand for silence.
+
+"Yes?" said Meagle with a grin at the other two.  "Is anybody coming?"
+
+"Suppose we drop this game and go back," said Barnes suddenly.  "I don't
+believe in spirits, but nerves are outside anybody's command.  You may
+laugh as you like, but it really seemed to me that I heard a door open
+below and steps on the stairs."
+
+His voice was drowned in a roar of laughter.
+
+"He is coming round," said Meagle with a smirk.  "By the time I have done
+with him he will be a confirmed believer.  Well, who will go and get some
+water?  Will you, Barnes?"
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+"If there is any it might not be safe to drink after all these years,"
+said Lester.  "We must do without it."
+
+Meagle nodded, and taking a seat on the floor held out his hand for the
+cup.  Pipes were lit and the clean, wholesome smell of tobacco filled the
+room.  White produced a pack of cards; talk and laughter rang through the
+room and died away reluctantly in distant corridors.
+
+"Empty rooms always delude me into the belief that I possess a deep
+voice," said Meagle.  "To-morrow----"
+
+He started up with a smothered exclamation as the light went out suddenly
+and something struck him on the head.  The others sprang to their feet.
+Then Meagle laughed.
+
+"It's the candle," he exclaimed.  "I didn't stick it enough."
+
+Barnes struck a match and relighting the candle stuck it on the
+mantelpiece, and sitting down took up his cards again.
+
+"What was I going to say?"  said Meagle.  "Oh, I know; to-morrow I----"
+
+"Listen!" said White, laying his hand on the other's sleeve.  "Upon my
+word I really thought I heard a laugh."
+
+"Look here!" said Barnes.  "What do you say to going back?  I've had
+enough of this.  I keep fancying that I hear things too; sounds of
+something moving about in the passage outside.  I know it's only fancy,
+but it's uncomfortable."
+
+"You go if you want to," said Meagle, "and we will play dummy.  Or you
+might ask the tramp to take your hand for you, as you go downstairs."
+
+Barnes shivered and exclaimed angrily.  He got up and, walking to the
+half-closed door, listened.
+
+"Go outside," said Meagle, winking at the other two.  "I'll dare you to
+go down to the hall door and back by yourself."
+
+Barnes came back and, bending forward, lit his pipe at the candle.
+
+"I am nervous but rational," he said, blowing out a thin cloud of smoke.
+"My nerves tell me that there is something prowling up and down the long
+passage outside; my reason tells me that it is all nonsense.  Where are
+my cards?"
+
+He sat down again, and taking up his hand, looked through it carefully
+and led.
+
+"Your play, White," he said after a pause.  White made no sign.
+
+"Why, he is asleep," said Meagle.  "Wake up, old man.  Wake up and play."
+
+Lester, who was sitting next to him, took the sleeping man by the arm and
+shook him, gently at first and then with some roughness; but White, with
+his back against the wall and his head bowed, made no sign.  Meagle
+bawled in his ear and then turned a puzzled face to the others.
+
+"He sleeps like the dead," he said, grimacing.  "Well, there are still
+three of us to keep each other company."
+
+"Yes," said Lester, nodding.  "Unless--Good Lord! suppose----"
+
+He broke off and eyed them trembling.
+
+"Suppose what?" inquired Meagle.
+
+"Nothing," stammered Lester.  "Let's wake him.  Try him again. _White!
+White!_"
+
+"It's no good," said Meagle seriously; "there's something wrong about
+that sleep."
+
+"That's what I meant," said Lester; "and if he goes to sleep like that,
+why shouldn't----"
+
+Meagle sprang to his feet.  "Nonsense," he said roughly.  "He's tired
+out; that's all.  Still, let's take him up and clear out.  You take his
+legs and Barnes will lead the way with the candle.  Yes?  Who's that?"
+
+He looked up quickly towards the door.  "Thought I heard somebody tap,"
+he said with a shamefaced laugh.  "Now, Lester, up with him.  One, two--
+Lester!  Lester!"
+
+He sprang forward too late; Lester, with his face buried in his arms, had
+rolled over on the floor fast asleep, and his utmost efforts failed to
+awaken him.
+
+"He--is--asleep," he stammered.  "'Asleep!"
+
+Barnes, who had taken the candle from the mantel-piece, stood peering at
+the sleepers in silence and dropping tallow over the floor.
+
+[Illustration: "Barnes, stood peering at the sleepers in silence and
+dropping tallow over the floor."]
+
+"We must get out of this," said Meagle.  "Quick!"  Barnes hesitated.  "We
+can't leave them here--" he began.
+
+"We must," said Meagle in strident tones.  "If you go to sleep I shall
+go--Quick!  Come."
+
+He seized the other by the arm and strove to drag him to the door.
+Barnes shook him off, and putting the candle back on the mantelpiece,
+tried again to arouse the sleepers.
+
+"It's no good," he said at last, and, turning from them, watched Meagle.
+"Don't you go to sleep," he said anxiously.
+
+Meagle shook his head, and they stood for some time in uneasy silence.
+"May as well shut the door," said Barnes at last.
+
+He crossed over and closed it gently.  Then at a scuffling noise behind
+him he turned and saw Meagle in a heap on the hearthstone.
+
+With a sharp catch in his breath he stood motionless.  Inside the room
+the candle, fluttering in the draught, showed dimly the grotesque
+attitudes of the sleepers.  Beyond the door there seemed to his over-
+wrought imagination a strange and stealthy unrest.  He tried to whistle,
+but his lips were parched, and in a mechanical fashion he stooped, and
+began to pick up the cards which littered the floor.
+
+He stopped once or twice and stood with bent head listening.  The unrest
+outside seemed to increase; a loud creaking sounded from the stairs.
+
+"Who is there?" he cried loudly.
+
+The creaking ceased.  He crossed to the door and flinging it open, strode
+out into the corridor.  As he walked his fears left him suddenly.
+
+"Come on!" he cried with a low laugh.  "All of you!  All of you!  Show
+your faces--your infernal ugly faces!  Don't skulk!"
+
+He laughed again and walked on; and the heap in the fireplace put out his
+head tortoise fashion and listened in horror to the retreating footsteps.
+Not until they had become inaudible in the distance did the listeners'
+features relax.
+
+"Good Lord, Lester, we've driven him mad," he said in a frightened
+whisper.  "We must go after him."
+
+There was no reply.  Meagle sprung to his feet.  "Do you hear?"  he
+cried.  "Stop your fooling now; this is serious.  White!  Lester!  Do you
+hear?"
+
+He bent and surveyed them in angry bewilderment.  "All right," he said in
+a trembling voice.  "You won't frighten me, you know."
+
+He turned away and walked with exaggerated carelessness in the direction
+of the door.  He even went outside and peeped through the crack, but the
+sleepers did not stir.  He glanced into the blackness behind, and then
+came hastily into the room again.
+
+He stood for a few seconds regarding them.  The stillness in the house
+was horrible; he could not even hear them breathe.  With a sudden
+resolution he snatched the candle from the mantelpiece and held the flame
+to White's finger.  Then as he reeled back stupefied the footsteps again
+became audible.
+
+He stood with the candle in his shaking hand listening.  He heard them
+ascending the farther staircase, but they stopped suddenly as he went to
+the door.  He walked a little way along the passage, and they went
+scurrying down the stairs and then at a jog-trot along the corridor
+below.  He went back to the main staircase, and they ceased again.
+
+For a time he hung over the balusters, listening and trying to pierce the
+blackness below; then slowly, step by step, he made his way downstairs,
+and, holding the candle above his head, peered about him.
+
+"Barnes!"  he called.  "Where are you?"  Shaking with fright, he made his
+way along the passage, and summoning up all his courage pushed open doors
+and gazed fearfully into empty rooms.  Then, quite suddenly, he heard the
+footsteps in front of him.
+
+He followed slowly for fear of extinguishing the candle, until they led
+him at last into a vast bare kitchen with damp walls and a broken floor.
+In front of him a door leading into an inside room had just closed.  He
+ran towards it and flung it open, and a cold air blew out the candle.  He
+stood aghast.
+
+[Illustration: "Into a vast bare kitchen with damp walls and a broken
+floor."]
+
+"Barnes!" he cried again.  "Don't be afraid!  It is I--Meagle!"
+
+There was no answer.  He stood gazing into the darkness, and all the time
+the idea of something close at hand watching was upon him.  Then suddenly
+the steps broke out overhead again.
+
+He drew back hastily, and passing through the kitchen groped his way
+along the narrow passages.  He could now see better in the darkness, and
+finding himself at last at the foot of the staircase began to ascend it
+noiselessly.  He reached the landing just in time to see a figure
+disappear round the angle of a wall.  Still careful to make no noise, he
+followed the sound of the steps until they led him to the top floor, and
+he cornered the chase at the end of a short passage.
+
+"Barnes!"  he whispered.  "Barnes!"
+
+Something stirred in the darkness.  A small circular window at the end of
+the passage just softened the blackness and revealed the dim outlines of
+a motionless figure.  Meagle, in place of advancing, stood almost as
+still as a sudden horrible doubt took possession of him.  With his eyes
+fixed on the shape in front he fell back slowly and, as it advanced upon
+him, burst into a terrible cry.
+
+"Barnes!  For God's sake!  Is it you?"
+
+The echoes of his voice left the air quivering, but the figure before him
+paid no heed.  For a moment he tried to brace his courage up to endure
+its approach, then with a smothered cry he turned and fled.
+
+The passages wound like a maze, and he threaded them blindly in a vain
+search for the stairs.  If he could get down and open the hall door----
+
+He caught his breath in a sob; the steps had begun again.  At a lumbering
+trot they clattered up and down the bare passages, in and out, up and
+down, as though in search of him.  He stood appalled, and then as they
+drew near entered a small room and stood behind the door as they rushed
+by.  He came out and ran swiftly and noiselessly in the other direction,
+and in a moment the steps were after him.  He found the long corridor and
+raced along it at top speed.  The stairs he knew were at the end, and
+with the steps close behind he descended them in blind haste.  The steps
+gained on him, and he shrank to the side to let them pass, still
+continuing his headlong flight.  Then suddenly he seemed to slip off the
+earth into space.
+
+
+Lester awoke in the morning to find the sunshine streaming into the room,
+and White sitting up and regarding with some perplexity a badly blistered
+finger.
+
+"Where are the others?"  inquired Lester.  "Gone, I suppose," said White.
+"We must have been asleep."
+
+Lester arose, and stretching his stiffened limbs, dusted his clothes with
+his hands, and went out into the corridor.  White followed.  At the noise
+of their approach a figure which had been lying asleep at the other end
+sat up and revealed the face of Barnes.  "Why, I've been asleep," he said
+in surprise.  "I don't remember coming here.  How did I get here?"
+
+"Nice place to come for a nap," said Lester, severely, as he pointed to
+the gap in the balusters.  "Look there!  Another yard and where would you
+have been?"
+
+He walked carelessly to the edge and looked over.  In response to his
+startled cry the others drew near, and all three stood gazing at the dead
+man below.
+
+[Illustration: "All three stood gazing at the dead man below."]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Toll-House, by W.W. Jacobs
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10787 ***