The man in the red cloak walked in silence as he had come towards the door, without saying a single word, and seemed quite the reverse of his gossipping brethren; scarcely had he retired three steps, however, when he stood still, looked round with a mournful mien at his well-served customer, and touched his own black beard with his hand. He repeated this ceremony three times, and the third time, when he had his hand on the door. Frank began to think that the ghost wished him to do something for him, and, perhaps, expected from him the same service which he had rendered him.
The barber spectre, in spite of his mournful looks, seemed more disposed to jest than earnest, and as he had played Frank a trick rather than tormented him, the latter had lost all his fear. He therefore beckoned the spectre to take the place in the chair, which he had just left. The ghost obeyed with great alacrity, threw down his cloak, laid the bag on the table, and sat down in the position of a person who is to be shaved. Frank was careful to imitate
