“Despite Mrs. Partridge’s pleadings, I kept the clock. I could not--I dare not--part with it. It was my aunt’s bequest--it fascinated me! Do you understand, O’Donnell?--it fascinated me.
“But I did make one concession: I permitted them to remove it to the summer-house.
“My first care now was to see that all the doors were locked, and windows bolted before retiring to bed; a precaution that was speedily justified.
“For the next few nights after the removal of the clock I was awakened about twelve by a violent ringing of the front door bell, whilst a heavy crunching of the gravel beneath my window informed me our persecutor was trying to gain admittance.
“These nocturnal disturbances ceasing, I had begun to congratulate myself upon having seen the last of the hauntings, when a rumour reached me that the clock had actually begun to infest the more lonely of the lanes and by-roads.
“Nor did this report, as the sequel will show, long remain unverified.
“My uncle John, a rare old ‘sport,’ came to stay with me. He arrived about ten, and we had not yet gone to bed when the vicar of the parish burst into our presence in the greatest state of agitation.
“‘I must apologise for this late visit,’ he gasped, sinking into an easy chair, ‘I couldn’t get here before. Indeed, I did not intend calling this evening, and would not have done so but for an extraordinary incident that has just happened. Would you think it very unclerical if I were to ask you for a glass of neat brandy?’
“I glanced at him in ill-disguised terror. His blanched cheeks and trembling hands told their own tale--he had seen the clock.
“‘Thanks awfully,’ he said, replacing the empty glass on the table. ‘I feel better now--but, by jove! it DID unnerve me. Let me tell you from the beginning. I had been calling at Gillet’s Farm, which, as you know, is two or more miles from here, and the night being fine, I decided to go home by the fields. Well! all was right till I got to the little spinney lying at the foot of Dickson’s Hollow.
“‘Even in broad daylight I always feel a trifle apprehensive before entering it, as it is often frequented by tramps and other doubtful characters: in fact, there isn’t a more murderous looking spot in the county.