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mule?” suggested Herbert, laughing.

β€œIt's pretty much so,” said the housekeeper, joining in the laugh.

They went up a narrow staircase and emerged into a dark garret, running the whole length of the house without a partition. The beams and rafters were visible, for the sloping sides were not plastered. Herbert felt that he might as well have been in the barn, except that there was a small cot bedstead in the center of the floor.

β€œIt isn't very pleasant,” said the housekeeper.

β€œNo,” said Herbert, β€œI don't think it is.”

β€œI declare, it's too bad you should have to sleep here. Mr. Holden isn't very considerate.”

β€œI guess I can stand it,” said our hero, β€œthough I should rather be downstairs.”

β€œI'll bring up the trap and set it before you go to bed,” said Mrs. Bickford.

β€œThe trap!” repeated Herbert, in surprise.

β€œYes, there's rats about, and I suppose you'd rather have a trap than a cat.”

β€œYes; the cat would be about as bad as the rats.”

At this moment Abner Holden's voice was heard at the bottom of the stairs, and Mrs. Bickford hurried down, followed by our hero.

β€œI thought you were going to stay up there all day,” said Mr. Holden. β€œWhat were you about up there?”

β€œThat is my business,” said Mrs. Bickford, shortly.

The housekeeper was independent in her feelings, and, knowing that she could readily obtain another situation, did not choose to be browbeaten by Mr. Holden. He was quite aware of her value, and the difficulty he would experience in supplying her place, and he put some constraint over himself in the effort not to be rude to her. With Herbert, however, it was different. HE was BOUND to him, and therefore in his power. Abner Holden exulted in this knowledge, and with the instinct of a petty tyrant determined to let Herbert realize his dependence.

β€œYou may go out and saw some wood,” he said. β€œYou'll find the saw in the woodshed.”

β€œWhat wood shall I saw?”

β€œThe wood in the woodpile, stupid.”

β€œVery well, sir,” said our hero, quietly.

Herbert thought Mr. Holden was losing no time in setting him to work. However, he had resolved to do his duty, unpleasant as it might be, as long as Abner Holden only exacted what was reasonable, and Herbert was aware that he had a right to require him to go to work at once. Mrs. Bickford, however, said a word in his favor.

β€œI've got wood enough to last till to-morrow, Mr. Holden,” she said.

β€œWell, what of it?”

β€œIt's likely the boy is tired.”

β€œWhat's he done to make him tired, I should like to know? Ridden thirty miles, and eaten a good dinner!”

β€œWhich I paid for myself,” said Herbert.

β€œWhat if you did?” said Abner Holden, turning to him. β€œI suppose you'll eat supper at my expense, and you'd better do something, first, to earn it.”

β€œThat I am willing to do.”

β€œThen go out to the woodpile without any more palavering.”

β€œMr. Holden,” said the housekeeper, seriously, after Herbert had gone out, β€œif you want to keep that boy, I think you had better be careful how you treat him.”

β€œWhy do you say that?” demanded Abner, eying her sharply. β€œHas he been saying anything to you about me?”

β€œNo.”

β€œThen why did you say that?”

β€œBecause I can see what kind of a boy he is.”

β€œWell, what kind of a boy is he?” asked Abner, with a sneer.

β€œHe is high-spirited, and will work faithfully if he's treated well, but he won't allow himself to be imposed upon.”

β€œHow do you know that?”

β€œI can read it in his face. I have had some experience with boys, and you may depend upon it that I am not mistaken.”

β€œHe had better do his duty,” blustered Abner, β€œif he knows what's best for himself.”

β€œHe will do his duty,” said the housekeeper, firmly, β€œbut there is a duty which you owe to him, as well as he to you.”

β€œDon't I always do my duty by boys, Mrs. Bickford?”

β€œNo, Mr. Holden, I don't think you do. You know very well you can never get a boy to stay with you.”

β€œThis boy is bound to me, Mrs. Bickfordβ€”legally bound.”

β€œThat may be; but if you don't treat him as he ought to be treated, he will run away, take my word for it.”

β€œIf he does, he'll be brought back, take my word for that, Mrs. Bickford. I shall treat him as I think he deserves, but as to petting and pampering the young rascal I shall do nothing of the kind.”

β€œI don't think you will,” said the housekeeper. β€œHowever, I've warned you.”

β€œYou seem to take a good deal of interest in the boy,” said Abner, sneeringly.

β€œYes, I do.”

β€œAfter half an hour's acquaintance.”

β€œI've known him long enough to see that he's better than the common run of boys, and I hope that he'll stay.”

β€œThere's no doubt about that,” said Abner Holden, significantly. β€œHe'll have to stay, whether he wants to or not.”





CHAPTER VIII THE GHOST IN THE ATTIC

After working two hours at the woodpile, Herbert was called in to tea. There was no great variety, Abner Holden not being a bountiful provider. But the bread was sweet and good, and the gingerbread fresh. Herbert's two hours of labor had given him a hearty appetite, and he made a good meal. Mrs. Bickford looked on approvingly. She was glad to see that our hero enjoyed his supper.

There was tea on the table, and, after pouring out a cup for Mr. Holden, the housekeeper was about to pour out one for Herbert.

β€œHe don't want any tea,” said Abner, noticing the action. β€œKeep the cup for yourself, Mrs. Bickford.”

β€œWhat do you mean, Mr. Holden?” asked the housekeeper, in surprise.

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