A loud , long shriek that roused the house broke from Lady Trevlyn as she fell senseless at the bedside , and dropping both curtain and candle Hester caught up her mistress and fled from the haunted room , locking the door behind her . In a moment a dozen servants were about them , and into their astonished ears Hester poured her story while vainly trying to restore her lady . Great was the dismay and intense the unwillingness of anyone to obey when Hester ordered the men to search the room again , for she was the first to regain her self-possession . `` Where 's Paul ? He 's the heart of a man , boy though he is , '' she said angrily as the men hung back . `` He 's not here . Lord ! Maybe it was him a-playing tricks , though it ai n't like him , '' cried Bessy , Lillian 's little maid . `` No , it ca n't be him , for I locked him in myself . He walks in his sleep sometimes , and I was afraid he 'd startle my lady . Let him sleep ; this would only excite him and set him to marching again . Follow me , Bedford and James , I 'm not afraid of ghosts or rogues . '' With a face that belied her words Hester led the way to the awful room , and flinging back the curtain resolutely looked in . The bed was empty , but on the pillow was plainly visible the mark of a head and a single scarlet stain , as of blood . At that sight Hester turned pale and caught the butler 's arm , whispering with a shudder , `` Do you remember the night we put him in his coffin , the drop of blood that fell from his white lips ? Sir Richard has been here . '' `` Good Lord , ma'am , do n't say that ! We can never rest in our beds if such things are to happen , '' gasped Bedford , backing to the door . `` It 's no use to look , we 've found all we shall find so go your ways and tell no one of this , '' said the woman in a gloomy tone , and , having assured herself that the windows were fast , Hester locked the room and ordered everyone but Bedford and the housekeeper to bed . `` Do you sit outside my lady 's door till morning , '' she said to the butler , `` and you , Mrs. Price , help me to tend my poor lady , for if I 'm not mistaken this night 's work will bring on the old trouble . ''
Morning came , and with it a new alarm ; for , though his door was fast locked and no foothold for even a sparrow outside the window , Paul 's room was empty , and the XXXXX nowhere to be found .
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