Chapter Twenty

The Ghosts Of Spirit Island

A month later Carolyn sat at the kitchen table, staring wonderingly at the real estate purchase agreement for a property on an island she had never heard of. It had arrived in a large, plain, brown envelope, giving no hint of its mysterious contents.

"I don't understand…" She frowned at the title of the deed which was in her name.

No matter how many times she turned it over it still made no sense that she could see. There was no return address on the envelope. She had just read the document out loud again to her assembled family in an attempt to uncover the truth.

Martha watched her deep puzzlement with a look of deep satisfaction. "I just thought it was about time I did something constructive for my family."

"A cake or a bunch of flowers…" Carolyn waved a bemused hand. "You do more than enough for us already. How on earth did you manage this?" she asked, looking up.

"In the end, it was very easy." The housekeeper smiled happily. "Let's just say we finally have something to be grateful to Miss Peekskill for. By the time she was finished with him, she had Claymore eating out of her hand. He would've sold the place to her at any price just to get rid of it. Then I bought the property from her as we'd already agreed. She had no need of it."

"But you said you bought it with your own savings…" Daniel shook his head. "That I cannot allow."

"I'm sorry if you don't agree." Martha shrugged. "But how I choose to spend my own money is my concern. And I thought this would make a wonderful get-away for us all. It will be ideal for the children in the summertime. What could be more perfect?"

She shook her head. "After all, what is money for if you don't use it?"

"She's got you there," Carolyn approved cautiously. "I wonder what the place is like…" She frowned at the ring of keys that had been contained in the same envelope as the property deed.

"Ed says it's haunted," Martha told her. "When I heard that I knew it would be just perfect. No ghost could scare us. Right, Captain?"

"If there are spirits there, then I never encountered any when I sailed those waters." Daniel shook his head. "Their residence must be more recent."

"Well, Mrs Muir, are you prepared to drive out there to find out?" Martha insisted. "The children and I can take care of the house for a few days. Ed can drive them to school and bring them home again. No one needs to know anything more than that you've gone away for a couple of days on a well-deserved holiday. You said you needed some place where no one would know you."

She picked up a folded map. "I've already marked the route you need to take to get out there. There's a car park and a walking bridge from the mainland to your part of the island. The rest is in a state park."

"I must admit it's very tempting…" Carolyn frowned again at the document. "But you shouldn't have spent your savings on us."

"Well, who else am I going to spend it all on?" Martha asked honestly. "I've saved up quite a bit over the years."

She looked around the table at the assembled Muirs and the Captain. "Besides, after all the years we've been together, you're all as much my family as my sister, Evelyn. Why not put the money to good use? It was just sitting in the bank gathering dust."

"Claymore would be livid if he ever found out…" Daniel took the document from his wife's hands to study it. He looked very pleased with the idea. "He hates the idea of giving anything away. Especially to me."

"He won't know unless one of us tells him," Martha replied. "As far as he's aware Miss Peekskill is the new owner. I made it very clear in my letter to her, that no one is to know. She was more than happy to be the go-between and keep silent about it. She said she was glad to pay the debt she owed to you, Mrs Muir, for her current success as a writer."

"Wonders will never cease…" Carolyn sighed. "Do you really think we could do this?"

"Don't see why not," Martha replied stoutly. "If the place is haunted, I know that whoever they are, they will soon be dealt with." She smiled as she nodded to Daniel.

"Yes…" he agreed slowly. "I will be very interested to find out who exactly is haunting the place and why."

"Maybe there's even another book in it once we finish our latest manuscript for Hanover," Carolyn wondered. "The Ghost of Spirit Island…" she mused. "It does have a certain ring to it."

"It's probably only the rats running around in the attic…" her husband replied. "It happens when some of these old Maine camps are shut up for any length of time."

He shook his head. "But, I suppose there is only one way for us to find out for sure. If you're willing to risk it, then, I guess, so am I."

"Are you really sure?" Carolyn worried, putting the document aside. "I mean, I know you said you're a super spirit and can go anywhere you please and come to no harm. But, for your human side, is this going to be a step too far? I would hate to lose you after all we've been through."

Daniel took her hand. "You must know by now that you could never lose me. Remember that Madam Tibaldi didn't succeed with her séance. But I believe the worst that could happen is I'll be pulled back to this house. Then we will know for sure. I admit to being curious to see this old camp."

"It'll be fine," Martha interposed. "We'll be okay for a couple of days. The Captain's right. How will you know what the limits of your life together could be, unless you test them from time to time?"

"I feel I'm being out-voted…" Carolyn shook her head. "I will admit to a certain curiosity…" She glanced back at the deed.

"There you go, then," Daniel squeezed her fingers between his. "How soon do you think you could get packed and be ready to travel?"

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"I utterly refuse to travel anywhere with you in that infernal, horseless carriage!" Daniel declared, standing outside the open front gate of Gull Cottage with his balled hands set on his hips. "I told you it's the confounded invention of the very devil! I would rather walk!"

"But it's all part of this new adventure," Carolyn encouraged smoothly, walking around the car to open the passenger door invitingly. "This is how we travel in my century." She looked over the roof at him, willing him to move.

"In my century we didn't have the need for so many uncontrollable horses." Her husband stabbed an accusing finger at the hood. "I have seen the serious damage they can do to the unwary and those foolish enough to step into its path."

He turned away, folding his arms across his chest. "I much prefer to travel in my own way. I can be at the island in an instant and I will await you there."

"But where is the fun in that?" Carolyn sighed as she hurried back around the car. "I must drive there and I would like to have your company. I need to be sure you can do this. How else will I know?"

She slanted him a knowing look. "Or is that you're afraid to give over command to a mere woman?"

"The Captain's not scared," Jonathan commented in a helpful aside to his sister from his position behind the boundary wall. "He's never scared."

"No, he's not." Candy shook her head. "He just doesn't like riding in cars." She frowned, then shrugged. "I don't know that he ever has."

Scruffy added his opinion with a sharp bark. He jumped up onto the wall.

"Children…" Martha said warningly. "Maybe we should just go inside and leave the adults to their discussion." She waved an encouraging hand toward the house. "Come on…"

"Aw, but I wanted to wave them goodbye," Jonathan complained, ignoring her instruction as he climbed up onto the top of the stone wall.

"Yeah, me, too," Candy added, joining him.

"Well, then, at least keep out of the way," Martha amended, not moving an inch, either.

All three stayed at the wall as deeply interested parties to the ongoing discussion. They all heard the thunder and saw the lightning begin to flicker along the horizon signalling the Captain's growing displeasure. The children exchanged knowing looks and smiled. They liked it when he got mad. They never knew what was going to happen next.

"Please…" Carolyn pleaded as she moved closer to her husband. "It is very safe. I drive the children in this car, all the time, remember?"

"I am aware of that." Daniel cast a frustrated glare at their audience, but they all stared back at him with varying looks of encouragement. "This discussion is getting us nowhere…" The thunder and lightning gathered intensity, starting to block out the afternoon sunshine.

"Yeah, we go to town and back in it all the time," Jonathan added. "And we're never scared. Mom's a good driver. You gotta check it out."

"Yeah, she is," Candy said loyally. "You can trust her. She did drive us all the way here from Philadelphia."

"If you don't go soon you won't arrive there until after dark," Martha commented. "I've packed the big picnic basket full of everything you'll need for a couple of nights' stay. I doubt your refrigerator will be working so you'll just have to rough it. There's also a bag of fresh linen for your bed tonight."

"Thank you, Martha." Carolyn nodded. "Though at this rate we might be picnicking and sleeping on the front lawn."

Daniel stared down at her; his expression full of consternation mixed with trepidation. Seeing her face, he unfolded his arms slowly.

"Oh, very well…" He drew a long breath, expelling it slowly. "I know when I have been out-numbered and out-gunned. I will strike my colours." He raised a warning finger. "Under a signal flag of protest, mind you."

Having established his ongoing scepticism he moved slowly forward, walking around behind the car to slide gingerly into the passenger seat. The moment he gave in the storm abated and the sunshine returned. Carolyn hurried to shut the door before he changed his mind.

"See you on Saturday and thank you…" She waved to the three at the wall as she circled the bonnet and slid in behind the wheel.

"Awww…" the children complained in unison.

"No, the Captain's not scared at all…" Martha chuckled as she watched the car start up and begin to drive away. "Come on, kids…" She turned and walked toward the house with Scruffy at her heels.

Daniel remained sitting rigidly in his seat. Trying not to give away the state of his deep unease, he cautiously lowered his right hand between his seat and the door to hold on as the vehicle picked up speed and appeared to hurtle down the road ahead at an unwary rate. He kept his gaze fixed on the windscreen and the scenery that appeared to fly past the windows.

"I gather you travelled much slower in your time," Carolyn commented, understanding and trying to ease her husband's grim silence. "You can trust me, you know."

"I once travelled to New York on a train pulled by a steam engine," Daniel admitted, not relaxing his grip. "I had faith in that horseless machinery because it had rails it must travel on so its course was orderly and clear."

"That must have been interesting…" Carolyn mused, slowly depressing her foot on the accelerator. "Then you won't mind if we go a little faster."

"I believe you are mocking me, Madam…" Daniel slanted her an uneasy look as he felt the slow acceleration through his rigid body.

"Oh, no, not at all…" Carolyn smiled. "Now would I do a thing like that to you?"

"I think you would," Daniel replied in an offended tone. "You know you have me at a disadvantage."

"You have put yourself there." Carolyn shook her head. "Please, just relax and enjoy the ride. I have no plans to run us off the road. I would never do anything that could hurt either of us. Not after we have come so far."

"Yes, I know…" Daniel sighed, consciously trying to release the tense set of his muscles. "Carriage riding is certainly different to this and a good deal slower. I could command a horse and it would obey. But this…" He waved a frustrated hand at the instrument panel.

He lapsed into silence as the vehicle took every curve with ease. As the journey lengthened he was forced to grudgingly admit that his wife was a good driver. An excellent navigator and competent captain of their small vessel.

"How are you feeling now?" Carolyn asked presently. "Do you feel you can still do this? You don't feel you're about to be pulled back to the house?"

"I am still here," Daniel looked down at himself. "Nothing has changed. I have not felt the need to become a spirit again and dematerialise."

"Good…" Carolyn breathed with relief. "It isn't much further, according to the map. There's a private carpark and then we have a bit of a walk ahead of us to get to the island."

"A good walk will be most welcome," Daniel admitted.

"Thank you for trusting me." Carolyn smiled at him. "I'm aware it wasn't easy."

"No, it wasn't. But then you have trusted me many times. It is time I returned the favour."

"Thank you, Daniel."

"You are most welcome, Carolyn…"

The private car park turned out to be a small clearing cut out of the surrounding trees. It was tangled and overgrown, but there was still room enough to park. As soon as they came to a halt Daniel thrust open his door and got out.

"I will admit I'm glad that's over." He shut his door and stepped away from the vehicle with a deep sense of relief.

"I'm happy we made it and you're still with me," Carolyn replied as she locked the car before walking over to hug him. "I was afraid we might not be able to do this."

"It would take more than that infernal machine to separate us," Daniel replied, drawing her closer and kissing her hair.

"We still have some way to go." Carolyn sighed as she released him reluctantly.

She walked behind the car to open the trunk, taking out her bags and the picnic basket full of goodies. Daniel followed her and picked them up as she locked the trunk.

"Lead the way, milady." He nodded toward an overgrown path leading off into the trees.

Carolyn walked on ahead, finding the path meandered along, twisting and turning through the forest cover. Every now and then they were allowed tantalising glimpses of restless water before their way ended at one end of a narrow, moss-covered bridge that crossed the inlet to their part of the island.

On the other side, they stopped side by side, both looking at the beautiful view before them. The weed-choked path led away to the left, running up to two cabins set back in the pine trees. Built from dark timbers and stone they looked sturdy and rustic.

To their right there were a set of wooden steps leading down to a long jetty where a small vessel was tied up, hidden beneath layers of canvas sheeting covered in piles of dried summer leaves. It bobbed in the current, pulling at its mooring rope.

"This is amazing…" Carolyn looked all around. "I have never been anywhere like this before."

"Yes…" Daniel's gaze was fixed on the bobbing craft. "I wonder if that belongs to us now?" He nodded toward the boat.

"There was a mention of a small sailboat on the list of chattels." Carolyn nodded. "I guess that's it."

"Wonderful..." Daniel marvelled, still staring at the boat, assessing its capabilities with an expert eye.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing that I can do anything about right now." Daniel shook his head. "It's getting dark. We should go inside before you get cold."

"If you think so." Carolyn turned away to walk the path up toward the cabins.

As she walked up onto the wooden deck leading to the front door of the larger cabin she brought the set of keys from her coat pocket. She sorted through them, trying to decide which one to use.

"Allow me…" Daniel put down Carolyn's bags before waving his hand and the cabin door opened slowly with a suitably ominous creaking noise to reveal a darkened and musty interior.

"Thank you…" his wife acknowledged as she approached the entrance slowly, looking all around.

"Are you worried about who or what you might encounter in there?" Daniel walked up behind her, looking over her shoulder into the shadowed interior.

"Yes," Carolyn admitted honestly, as she stepped aside turning to him. "Maybe you should go first…"

"It would be my pleasure, my dear. This I know how to handle." Daniel smiled knowingly at her as he returned to his spirit self and walked forward into the dusty darkness.

He looked around the large room, containing a kitchen and dining area. On the other side, there was a large stone fireplace which dominated the wall, surrounded by comfortable chairs and two large couches. Everything was shrouded in the same dusty canvas covers as the boat down at the dock. A large, thick bearskin rug lay on the floor before the stone hearth.

Nothing moved or breathed. Using the power of his heightened senses he could be sure they were alone. There were no spirits around and no rats scurrying in the attic space.

"Maybe people imagined hearing things." He shrugged as he uncovered some candles and gestured them alight. Immediately the cabin took on a cheery welcoming glow.

He walked back to the open doorway where Carolyn was waiting for him. Reassuming his human form, he reached down to pick up her bags.

"You can come in," he said. "If there ever was a spirit haunting this place, they're not here now. I think the former owners were given to flights of fancy. It was probably overgrown tree branches tapping on the windows or the wind whistling in the eaves."

"I hope so." Trusting his ghostly word, Carolyn walked into the cabin to look all around. "Oh, it's really charming."

"And more than a little dusty…" Daniel closed the door behind her before wiping his fingers through the detritus on the dining room table covers.

"That's nothing we can't fix soon enough." Carolyn nodded. "Everything just needs a good shaking out. But all we need for now is some food and a clean bed." She turned to stare through the gloom toward the far door that must lead to the bedrooms and bathroom.

"I'll see about getting some dry wood to light the fire and make sure the chimney works." Daniel walked up behind her to slide his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "You're cold. We need to make a good fire to warm you up."

"I do love you…" Carolyn clasped her hands over his linked at her waist. "It's a shame we only have two days to be alone, here. I think it is really charming."

"Then we shall have to make the best of it…" Daniel turned her to lift her chin up on the backs of his fingers. He lowered his lips toward hers. "I can promise you that whatever happens, whatever comes now, you could never lose me. I will always be with you…"

"I know…" Carolyn raised a hand to the back of his head, encouraging his lips closer to hers. "I am so glad we can finally be together…"

"Yes…" Daniel breathed against her mouth.

At the same moment, the handle of the closed front door turned around and the door swung slowly open, its hinges giving off a satisfactorily scary, creaking noise. Someone or something began to moan; a disembodied sound designed to frighten and dismay the unwary. Footprints appeared in the dust of the flooring, advancing slowly with obvious menace.

"What on earth…?" Carolyn pulled back to look toward the open door, not in the least frightened.

"It seems we do have a visitor, after all…" Daniel turned, placing himself between her and the noise. "Or maybe even more than one..."

The spectral sound of moaning increased in volume and intensity as something moved further into the room. Beside it came the hissing and snarling sound of a disembodied cat.

"You lily-livered coward! Show yourself!" Daniel shouted in a commanding voice.

The disembodied moaning stopped abruptly. The hissing sound of the cat faded into startled silence.

"Whoever has just entered this cabin, I demand you show yourself to me, immediately!" Daniel commanded again, advancing on the open door. "Or it will be the worse for you!"

Silence settled over the cabin. Nothing appeared to move. Then the footprints in the dust shuffled forward cautiously.

"Captain...?" a disembodied voice suddenly asked with breathless shock. "Is it…? I mean, is that really you, Sir? Oh, my word, I'm so very, very glad it's you…"

With a lot of confused huffing and puffing, Able Seaman Elroy Applegate slowly materialised. Like his unwanted appearance at Gull Cottage, he was still dressed in his ill-fitting uniform of a nineteenth-century seaman, complete with its crumpled tasselled cap.

From long habit, he immediately reached down to pull up the slack, striped sock on his right leg before snapping to quivering attention and saluting shakily. Beside him, a large black and white cat materialised to sit staring at the unwelcome intruders into its domain with wide green eyes.

"Reporting for duty again, Sir," Applegate tried to reassure his captain with a worried smile. "Ready and willing to do whatever you say, Sir."

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