But her mistress pointed to the bed shrouded in dark velvet hangings , and whispered breathlessly , `` You forgot to look there . '' Hester had not forgotten , but in spite of her courage and good sense she shrank a little from looking at the spot where she had last seen her master 's dead face . She believed the light and sound to be phantoms of my lady 's distempered fancy , and searched merely to satisfy her . The mystery of Sir Richard 's death still haunted the minds of all who remembered it , and even Hester felt a superstitious dread of that room . With a nervous laugh she looked under the bed and , drawing back the heavy curtains , said soothingly , `` You see , my lady , there 's nothing there . '' But the words died on her lips , for , as the pale glimmer of the candle pierced the gloom of that funeral couch , both saw a face upon the pillow : a pale face framed in dark hair and beard , with closed eyes and the stony look the dead wear . 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 XXXXX from his white lips ?
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