' The clock began to strike, and the
man's mouth came straight again. But when the hammer had struck
eleven times, it struck no more, and the clock stopped. 'This day
twelvemonth,' said the man, 'you shall see me again; and so every
year till your time is up. I hope you will enjoy your game!' The
earl would have sprung to his feet, but could not stir, and the man
was nowhere to be seen. He was gone, taking with him both door and
windows of the room--not as Samson carried off the gates of Gaza,
however, for he left not the least sign of where they had been.
>From that day to this no one has been able to find the room. There
the wicked earl and his companions still sit, playing with the same
pack of cards, and waiting their doom. It has been said that, on
that same day of the year--only, unfortunately, testimony differs as
to the day--shouts of drunken laughter may be heard issuing from
somewhere in the castle; but as to the direction whence they come,
none can ever agree. That is the story."
"A very good one!" said Donal. "I wonder what the ground of it is!
It must have had its beginning!"
"Then you don't believe it?" said Miss Graeme.
"Not quite," he replied. "But I have myself had a strange experience
up there."
"What! you have seen something?" cried Miss Graeme, her eyes growing
bigger.
"No; I have seen nothing," answered Donal, "--only heard
something.
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