`Well, sir,' she said, `a long time ago − no, I don't know how long − a judge lived there. He was a hard, cruel judge, sir − a real hanging judge. He showed no mercy to anyone. But as for the house itself − well, I can't say. I've often asked, but nobody could tell me for certain.' She found it hard to explain. The general feeling in the town was that there was something strange about the Judge's House. `As for me, sir,' she said, `I won't stay there alone, not for all the money in the bank!' Then she apologized to Moore. `I'm sorry to worry you, sir, really I am. But if you were my son I wouldn't let you stay there one night on your own. I'd go there myself and pull the big alarm bell that's
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on the roof!' Moore was grateful for her kindness and her anxiety. `How good of you to be so anxious about me, Mrs Wood!' he said. `But there's really no need to worry. I'm studying for an important examination and I have no time for horrors or mysteries.' The landlady kindly promised to do his shopping for him. Moore then went to see the old servant whom Mr Carnford had recommended to him. Her name was Mrs Dempster, and she seemed pleasant and eager to please her new master. When he returned with her to the Judge's House two hours later, he found Mrs Wood waiting outside it. She had several people with her − men and boys carrying parcels, and another two men with a bed. `But there are beds in the house!' cried Moore in surprise. `And nobody's slept in them for fifty years or more! No, sir, I won't let you risk your life in an old, damp bed.' The landlady was obviously curious to see the inside of the house. At the same time she was clearly afraid. At the smallest noise she held nervously to Moore's arm. Together they explored the whole house. After his exploration, Moore decided to live in the dining−room. It was big enough for both working and sleeping. Mrs Wood and Mrs Dempster began to arrange everything. Soon the baskets were unpacked. Moore saw that kind Mrs Wood had brought many good things from her own kitchen. Before she left she turned to Moore and said, `I do hope you will be all right, sir. But I must say − I couldn't sleep here, with all those ghosts!' When she left, Mrs Dempster laughed. `Ghosts!' she said. `Ghosts! There are no ghosts! There are rats and insects, and doors that need oiling. There are windows that blow open in the wind. . . Look at the old oak walls of this room, sir. They are old − hundreds of years old! Don't you think there'll be rats and insects behind the wood? You'll see plenty of rats here, sir, but you won't see any ghosts − I'm sure of that. Now you go and have a nice walk, sir. And when you come back, I'll have this room all ready for you.' She kept her promise. When Moore returned he found the room clean and neat. A fire was burning in the ancient fireplace. She had lit the lamp and put his supper ready on the table. `Good night, sir,' she said. `I have to go now and get my husband's supper. I'll see you in the morning.' `This is wonderful!' said Moore to himself as he ate Mrs Dempster's excellent food. When he had finished his supper, he pushed the dishes to the other end of the table. He put more wood on the fire and began to study.