"'Halloa!' said the baron, stamping his foot to attract attention.
"'Halloa!' replied the stranger, moving his eyes towards the baron, but not his face or himself. 'What now?'
"'What now!' replied the baron, nothing daunted by his hollow voice and lustreless eyes, 'I should ask that question. How did you get here?"
"'Through the door,' replied the figure.
"'What are you?' says the baron.
"'A man,' replied the figure.
"'I don't believe it,' says the baron.
"'Disbelieve it then,' says the figure.
"'I will,' rejoined the baron.
"The figure looked at the bold Baron of Grogzwig for some time, and then said familiarly,
"'There's no coming over you, I see. I'm not a man!'
"'What are you then?' asked the baron.
"'A genius,' replied the figure.
"'You don't look much like one,' returned the Baron scornfully.
"'I am the Genius of Despair and Suicide,' said the apparition. 'Now you know me.'
"With these words the apparition turned towards the baron as if composing himself for a talk—and what was very remarkable was, that he threw his cloak aside, and displaying a stake which was run through the centre of his body, pulled it out with a jerk, and laid it on the table as composedly as if it had been his walking-stick.
"'Now,' said the figure, glancing at the hunting-knife, 'are you ready for me?'
"'Not quite,' rejoined the baron; 'I must finish this pipe first.'
"'Look sharp then,' said the figure.
"'You seem in a hurry,' said the baron.
"'Why, yes, I am,' answered the figure; 'they're doing a pretty brisk business in my way over in England and France just now, and my time is a good deal taken up.'
"'Do you drink?' said the baron, touching the bottle with the bowl of his pipe.
"'Nine times out of ten, and then very hard,' rejoined the figure, drily.
"'Never in moderation?' asked the baron.
"'Never,' replied the figure, with a shudder, 'that breeds cheerfulness.'
"The baron took another look at his new friend, whom he thought an uncommonly queer customer, and at length enquired whether he took any active part in such little proceedings as that which he had in contemplation.
"'No,' replied the figure, evasively; 'but I am always present.'
"'Just to see fair, I suppose,' said the baron.
"'Just that,' replied the figure, playing with his stake, and examining the ferrule. 'Be as quick as you can, will you, for there's a young gentleman who is afflicted with too much money and leisure wanting me now, I find.'
"'Going to kill himself because he has too much money!’ ex-
