The Ghost Breaker: A Novel Based Upon the Play

All rights reserved, including that of translation into the foreign languages, including the Scandinavian CONTENTS PAGE I. Jarvis of Kentucky 1 II. The Blind Pursuit 18 III. In the Royal Suite 35 IV. An Oath of Allegiance 47 V. Exit Jarvis, Laughing 59 VI. Over the Sea and Far Away 74 VII. The Romance of the Castle 87 VIII. The New Profession 105 IX. Checkmate the First 125 X. A Wager with the Duke 140 XI. When the Ship Comes In 161 XII. Welcome to Seguro! 181 XIII. "Gentlemen, a Man!" 198 XIV. More Obstacles 217 XV. Mysterious Influences 239 XVI. As in Days of Old 250 XVII. Conclusion 267 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "Warren—don't call me Highness!... my name is Maria" Frontispiece FACING PAGE It was Jarvis of Kentucky 38 —"and to faithfully fight in my lady's cause" 56 "Just a minute. How did that lock get broken?" 70 "I am known from Bowling Green to the Golden Gate, as Warren the Ghost Breaker" 106 "Gentlemen—a man" 212 "So, you are the brave American, are you?" 214 "Ah, señor, in all my experience I have never seen such an adventurous palm...." 222 "Ah, Mr. Warren, looking for an honest man, like old Socrates?" 232 Rusty caught him by the arm 262 His next weapon was a chair 270 "Don't shoot!" 278 I JARVIS OF KENTUCKY Down the winding roadway came the thunder of hoofbeats! As the two horsemen approached through the deepening twilight a sobbing negro woman peered timidly through the doorway of the old Southern manor house. There was a call from within. "Put out this light, Mandy," were the words of the weak voice. "Hurry, Mandy. Maybe it's the Marcums coming back." "Yas, Cunnel; yassir." She obediently retreated, and the dim light within was suddenly extinguished. The two riders turned in from the thoroughfare, speeding past the half-swung gate up the drive toward the broad portico. The foremost slid from his saddle before his horse had come to a stop. "Hold her, Rusty!" And then he leaped up the steps, to dash into the dark entry. "Who is it? Stop!" There was no weakness of spirit in the tremulous tones from the room within. "Dad! dad! I've come!" "Oh, my boy! You're just in time," and the speech ended in a sigh which sent a thrill of horror through the newcomer. "Just ... in ... time!" "Lawd be…