"Ah played haunt!" the confession came out of the swamper in a rush.
"Then you _were_ my faceless ghost?"
Jeems tried to nod and the action printed a frown of pain between his
eyes.
"Why? Didn't you want us to live there?" asked Ricky gently.
"Ah was huntin'--"
"What for?"
The frown became one of puzzlement. "Ah don't know--" His voice trailed
off into a thin whisper as his eyes closed wearily. Val signaled Ricky
to keep quiet.
"Ahoy there!" Along the bank toward them came Rupert and after him Sam.
Beyond them lay the Ralestone landing. Val headed inshore.
"Just what does this mean--Val! Has there been an accident?" The
irritation in Rupert's voice became hot concern.
"An intended one," his brother replied. "We've got the real victim here
with us."
They tied up to the landing and Sam came down to hand out Jeems who
apparently had lapsed into unconsciousness again.
"You'd better call a doctor," Val told Rupert. "Jeems has a head wound."
But Rupert had already taken charge of affairs with an efficiency which
left Val humbly grateful. The boy didn't even move to leave the boat. It
was better just to sit and watch other people scurry about. Sam had
started for the house, carrying Jeems as if the long-legged swamper was
the same age and size as his own small son. Ricky dashed on ahead to
warn Lucy. Rupert had Sam Two by the collar and was giving him
instructions for catching Dr.
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