Page:Popular Tales and Romances of the Northern Nations (Volume 2).djvu/82

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The Spectre Barber.

would be quite useless to him, and for which he should, nevertheless, be obliged to pay. “The bit of candle in the lanthern is sufficient for me,” said he, “till I go to bed, and I hope not to awake before broad day-light, for I am very sleepy and wish to have a long rest.”

“I will not conceal from you,” said the landlord, “that report says, the castle is haunted by a spectre who walks about at night. But you need not be afraid, we shall be quite near you, should any thing happen, you may easily call out to us, and you will find somebody immediately ready to assist you; with us, people are stirring all night, and there is always somebody at hand. I have lived here now these thirty years, and have never seen any thing. The noise which is sometimes heard at night, is caused, in my opinion, by the cats and other animals, which have taken possession of the garrets.”

The landlord spoke the truth, when he said, he had never seen the spectre; for he took good care never to go near the castle at night,