bat slightly resembling it, which inhabits the southeast coast of Asia and Maylayan Archipelago, and is sometimes erroneously called a vampire or spectre bat. You have described in detail a creature greatly resembling the true vampire bat, but it is probable that what you saw was no bat at all. What it really was, I hesitate to say until I have examined the substance on this book cover."
"Well, whatever it was, I am positive it was no real vampire, as Glitch says," I replied.
"I don't like this vampire story that is being circulated by Glitch," said the professor. "It may lead to trouble. It is most surprising to find such crude superstition prevailing in these modern times."
At this juncture there was a rap at my door. I called, "come in," and Joe Severs entered.
"Well, Joe, did you get the doctor home without shaking any of his teeth loose?" I asked.
"Yes, sir, I got him home all right, but that ain't what I come to tell you about," he replied. "There's a heap of trouble brewin' around these parts an' I thought I better let you know. Somebody's sick in nearly every family in the neighborhood, an' they're sayin' Mr. Braddock is the cause of it. They're holdin' an indignation meetin' up to the school house now."
"This is indeed serious," said the professor. "Do you know what they propose to do about it?"
"Can't say as to that, but they're sure some riled up about it," replied Joe.
Mrs. Rhodes came in with my luncheon, and announced to the professor that Miss Ruth awaited him in the dining-room below, whereupon he begged to be excused. Joe went out murmuring something about having to feed the horses, and I was left alone to enjoy a very tasty meal.
chapter iv.
A half hour later the housekeeper came in to remove the dishes, and Miss Randall brought me a huge bouquet of autumn daisies.
"Father has driven to town to analyze a sample of something or other that he has found," she said, "and in the meantime I will do my best to make the hours pass pleasantly for you. What do you want me to do? Shall I read to you?"
"By all means," I replied. "Read or talk, or do anything you like. I assure you I am not hard to amuse."
"I think I shall read," she decided. "What do you prefer? fiction, history, mythology, philosophy? Or perhaps," she added, "you prefer poetry."
"I will leave the selection entirely to you," I said. "Read what interests you, and I will be interested."
"Don't be too sure of that," she answered, and went down to my uncle's library.
She returned a few moments later with several volumes. From a book of Scott's poems, she chose "Rokeby" and soon we were conveyed, as if by a magic carpet, to medieval Yorkshire with its moated castles, dense forests, sparkling streams, jutting crags and enchanted dells.
She had finished the poem, and we were chatting gaily, when Mrs. Rhodes entered.
"A small boy brought this note for you, sir," she said, handing me a sealed envelope.
I tore it open carelessly, then read:
"Mr. William Ansley.Dear Sir:
"Owing to the fact that at least one member of nearly every family in this community has been smitten with peculiar malady, in some instances fatal, since the death of James Braddock, and in view of the undeniable evidence that the corpse
