1. Brian and the Gallowfield Ghosts
Chapter 18
Talking Book

2. Claire, Abigail, Brian, Toby, Matthew, Michael, John and Paul met in the boy's dormitory after their evening meal.
They compared the evidence from their interviews.
"I agree with Michael and John", said Claire. "The Edinburgh bikers are not involved in anything suspicious."
"It's difficult to see how any of the others could be doing anything criminal", said Abigail.
Brian agreed. Although he still thought that something felt very suspicious, he just did not know what it was.

3. That evening Mr Strover walked with them to the far end of the village, where he told them about the 'festering Highwayman.'
It had just started to rain as they walked down a narrow lane.
Mr Strover told them to stand under a big, old oak tree at the side of the road.
"Three hundred years ago", he said, "this quiet lane was a main road, with carriages pulled by horses, travelling to London."
"The area was well known for highwaymen who held up and robbed the carriages."
"One highwayman, however, chose the wrong carriage. The owner fought back. There was a sword fight. The highwayman was pinned to this oak tree by a sword blade. He was left here to fester. For many years after that his skeleton could be seen here."
"Sometimes when the moon is full, people see the skeleton."

4. On their way back to the youth hostel Brian talked to Mr Strover.
"Do you ever run out of ghost stories?", he asked.
"There are always new ghosts appearing and stories to be told", said Mr Strover.
"I knew that Gore Court was haunted by the sounds of ghostly children", he continued, "but had never heard of the Grey Lady until your class saw her."
"I plan to ask Mr and Mrs Fletcher if I can include their house in my ghost tours. I know they would not want visitors in the house itself, but it would be good to stand beside the pond and talk about the hauntings."
When the class got back to the youth hostel they had a mug of hot chocolate in the Members Kitchen, where Brian and Toby could still see pancake mix on the ceiling.
"Sleep tight", said Jill, as she sent them off to bed.