The old knight jumped to his feet in amazement, and with trembling limbs.
He tried to speak, but could not.
Tim’s eyes rolled in wild excitement, while the footman fell upon his knees, and began to mumble out his prayers in a very rapid manner, for he had come to the humble conclusion, in his own mind, that for once in his life he had been in company with some demon of darkness.
He groaned aloud, and pulled very comical faces, while others made a sudden rush towards the door!
Among them all there was one who looked on the matter with lightness and good humour.
That one was Wildfire Ned.
Pistol in hand he dashed towards the window as bold and fearless as a young lion.
“If ye be mortal, die!” he said, firing his weapon after the retiring skeleton figure.
With the agility of a cat he jumped on to the window-sill, and looked out into the darkness.
The ghastly apparition had vanished!