"That I am ready to do," replied the Sicilian, turning to us, "as soon as these ladies and gentlemen have left us."
"Why only then?" exclaimed the Englishman. "A courageous ghost will surely not be afraid of a cheerful company."
"I would not answer for the consequences," said the Sicilian.
"For heaven's sake, no!" cried the ladies, starting affrighted from their chairs.
"Call your ghost," said the abbe, in a tone of defiance, "but warn him beforehand that there are sharp-pointed weapons here." At the same time he asked one of the company for a sword.
"If you preserve the same intention in his presence," answered the Sicilian, coolly, "you may then act as you please." He then turned towards the prince: "Your highness," said he, "asserts that your key has been in the hands of a stranger; can you conjecture in whose?"
"No"
"Have you no suspicion?"
"It certainly occurred to me that"—
"Should you know the person if you saw him?"