THE MERCHANT
a dejected ruin, where time had left only a few rooms free from destruction. Into one of these they went. It was a large, gloomy room, with a few pieces of furniture: an old bed, with stiff, faded curtains, a solid oak table, two easy-chairs, and an old iron-clad chest.
Soon a fire was made in the half-crumbled fireplace, whereupon the landlord bid the young man good-night, promising to send him some supper. In a little while two servant-girls appeared with lighted candles, which were placed on the table, and a basket, from which they produced a piece of ham, bread-and-butter, and a chicken. Upon this the girls returned to the inn, while the young man hung up his wet mantle near the fireplace and sat down to satisfy his hunger. As soon as he had eaten, he went to bed and slept soundly.
In a few hours he awoke. Everything was quiet; the fire burned slowly, and no sound was heard. Glancing towards the window to see if it was night or morning, the merchant caught sight of the tall, stout figure of a man standing in front of the table. He wore a black suit, pointed shoes, and over his shoulders was hanging a red mantle, held together in front by an old-fashioned silver buckle.
The young man felt his blood run cold, and his hair began to stand on end; but in the next minute he was possessed by some of his old courage, which had been strengthened by the warm room and the good supper. He sat up in bed, glancing at the
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