Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 1.djvu/218

 "Have you perceived any thing uncommon before that strange accident happened?"

Officer. Nothing at all except an insignificant noise, after twelve o'clock.

Austrian. Have you, perhaps, before you met with that misfortune, been thinking on my tale of Volkert's exploits?

Officer. (Vexed.) I was writing to my Colonel, how could I therefore think on that fellow? Or do you think it impossible that any one besides you can experience things, the possibility of which you have proved by facts.

The Austrian, apparently lost in profound meditation, gave him no answer, but was walking up and down in solemn silence.

Our companions acquainted us now with the purport of their visit, signifying a desire to encounter the kingdom of spirits and hobgoblins in pleno corpore, under the command