“It is to me a matter of little moment where I pass the night, provided I am at my ease, and have something to eat.” But the landlord was an ill-tempered fellow, and wishing to revenge the invectives Francis had poured forth against him, he sent him to the castle, in order that he might be tormented by the spirits which were said to frequent it.
This castle was situated on a steep rock, and was only separated from the village by the high road and a little rivulet. Its delightful prospects caused it to be kept in good repair, and to be well furnished, as its owner made use of it as a hunting seat; quitting it, however, every night, in order to avoid the apparitions and ghosts which haunted it.
When it was quite dark, Francis, with a lantern in his hand, proceeded towards the castle. The landlord accompanied him, and carried a little basket of provisions, to which he added a bottle of wine (which he said would stand the test,) as well as two candles and two wax-tapers for the night. Francis, not thinking he should require so many things, and being apprehensive he should have to pay for them, asked why they were all brought.
“The light from my lantern,” said he, “will suffice me till the time of my getting into bed; and ere I shall get out of it, the sun will have risen, for I am worn out with fatigue.”
“I will not endeavour to conceal from you,” replied the landlord, “that according to the current reports, this castle is haunted by evil spirits; but do not let that frighten you; you see I live sufficiently near, that, in case any thing extraordinary should happen to you, I shall hear you call, and shall be in readiness with my people to render you any assistance. At my house there is somebody stirring all night, and there is also some one constantly on the watch. I have lived on this spot for thirty years, and cannot say that I have seen any thing to alarm me; indeed I believe that you may with safety attribute any noises you hear during the night in this castle, to cats and weasels, with which the granaries are overrun. I have only provided you with the means of keeping up a light in a case of need, for, at best, night is but a gloomy season; and, in addition, these candles are consecrated, and their light will undoubtedly keep off any evil spirits, should there be such in the castle.”
The landlord spoke only the truth, when he said he never had the courage to set his foot within its doors after dark; and though he now spoke so courageously, the rogue would not have ventured on any account to enter. After having opened the door, he gave the basket to Francis, pointed out the way he was to turn, and wished him good night; while the latter, fully satisfied that the story of ghosts must be fabulous, gaily entered. He recollected all that had been told him to the prejudice of the Chevalier Bronkhorst, but unfortunately forgot what that brave Castelian had recommended to him at parting, “always to believe there was some truth in what he might hear.”
Conformably to the landlord’s instructions, he went up stairs, and came to a door, which the key in his possession soon unlocked; it opened into a long dark gallery, where his very steps re-echoed; the gallery led to a large hall, from which issued a suite of apartments, furnished in a costly manner: he surveyed them all, and made choice of one in which to pass the night, that appeared more lively than the rest. The windows looked to the high road, and every thing that passed in front of the inn could be distinctly heard. He lighted two candles, spread the cloth, ate very heartily, and felt completely at his ease, so long as he was thus employed; for while eating, no thought or apprehension of spirits molested him; but he no sooner arose from the table, than he began to feel a sensation strongly resembling fear.
In order to render himself more secure, he locked the door, drew the bolts, and then looked out from each window. Every thing along the high road and in front of the inn was tranquil, where, contrary to the landlord’s assertions, not a single light was discernible. The sound of the horn belonging to the night-guard was the only thing that interrupted the silence which universally prevailed.
Francis closed the windows, once looked round the room, and after snuffing the candles, that they might burn the better, he threw himself on the bed, which he found good and comfortable; but although greatly fatigued, he could not get to sleep so soon as he had hoped. A slight palpitation of the heart, which he attributed to the agitation produced by the heat of his fatiguing journey, kept him awake for a considerable time, till at length sleep came to his aid. After having, as he imagined, been asleep somewhat above an hour, he awoke and started up in a state of horror, possibly not unusual to a person whose blood is over-heated; this idea in some degree allayed his apprehensions, and he listened attentively, but could hear nothing excepting the clock, which struck the hour of midnight. Again he listened for an instant, and turning on his side, he was just going off to sleep, when he thought he heard a distant door grinding on its hinges, and then shut with a heavy noise. In an instant the idea of the ghost approaching caused him no little fear; but he speedily got the better of his alarm, by fancying it was only the wind; however, he could not comfort himself long with this belief, for the sound approached nearer and nearer, and resembled the clanking of chains, or the rattling of a bunch of keys.
The terror which Francis experienced was beyond all description, and he put his head under the clothes. The doors continued to open with a frightful noise, and at last he heard some one trying different keys at the door of his room; one of them seemed perfectly to fit the lock, but the bolts kept the door fast, however, a violent shock like a clap of thunder caused them to give way, and in stalked a tall thin figure, with a black beard, whose appearance was indicative of chagrin and melancholy. He was habited in the antique style, and on his left shoulder wore a red cloak or mantle, while his head was covered with a high-crowned hat. Three times with slow and measured steps he walked round the room, examined the consecrated candles and snuffed them: he then threw off his cloak, unfolded a shaving apparatus, and took from it the razors, which he sharpened on a large leather strap hanging to the belt.