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378 in the little study by myself—all alone, with such dreadful thoughts. Oh yes; you must take me along with you!”

And after a few moments, while the old man had been engaged in trimming the lamp for his lanthorn, and putting out the candle which they were before burning, he motioned to the timid girl to accompany him, and lighted her on the way. But she clung fast to him, and they began to ascend the stairs together. As they proceeded up the narrow stone steps, and along the creaking landing, they continued to hear more plainly the same strange moaning and whimpering from the lodger’s chamber. They were now standing before the door, and could perceive there was a light burning within, apparent though the key-hole. “In God’s name,” cried old master Rhenfried, “what kind of being is within there, and in what manner engaged?”

The door flew suddenly open, wide open, and “Huzzah! halloh! who disturbs, who affrights me?” was repeated from a voice within, so horribly wild and mad, that master Rhenfried involuntarily stepped back, and the child fell upon her knees, muttering her prayers behind him.

In the middle of the chamber stood arrayed in a blood-red mantle, the strange lodger, and he trembled greatly. After a short pause, he said in a low hollow