The King shook his head.
"There's a condition attached," said he. "Maybe you have heard of the famous haunted house in Puns'nby Square?"
"I've always gone by the spelling, and pronounced it Ponsonby," said
John.
"Well, the condition is that every suitor for my daughter's hand must spend a night alone in that house; and if he survives and is ready to persevere with his wooing, he must return a year later with his bride and spend the night of his marriage there."
"And very handy," said John, "for there's a wedding-cake shop at the corner."
The King sighed again.
"Unhappily, none survive. One hundred and fifty-five have undertaken the adventure, and not a man of them but has either lost his wits or run for it."
"Well," said John, "I've been afraid of a great many men—"
"That's a poor confession for a soldier," put in the King.
"—when they all happened to come at me together. But I've never yet met the ghost that could frighten me; and if your Majesty will give me the latch-key I'll try my luck this very night."