"
"I thank you, father, for your good offices--do as you please."
Oswald went into the outward room. "I am going," said he, "to shut up
the apartment. The young gentlemen have been more frightened than they
had occasion for; I will try to account for it. Which of you will go
with me?"
They all drew back, except Joseph, who offered to bear him company.
They went into the bedroom in the haunted apartment, and found every
thing quiet there. They put out the fire, extinguished the lights,
locked the door, and brought away the key. As they returned, "I thought
how it would be," said Joseph.
"Hush! not a word," said Oswald; "you find we are suspected of
something,
though they know not what. Wait till you are called upon, and then we
will both
speak to purpose." They carried the key to the Baron.
"All is quiet in the apartment," said Oswald, "as we can testify."
"Did you ask Joseph to go with you," said the Baron, "or did he offer
himself?"
"My Lord, I asked if any body would go with me, and they all declined
it but he; I thought proper to have a witness beside myself, for
whatever might be seen or heard."
"Joseph, you were servant to the late Lord Lovel; what kind of man was
he?"
"A very comely man, please your lordship."
"Should you know him if you were to see him?"
"I cannot say, my lord."
"Would you have any objection to sleep a night in that apartment?"
"I beg,--"I hope,--"I beseech your lordship not to command me to do it!"
"You are then afraid; why did you offer yourself to go thither?"
"Because I was not so much frightened as the rest.
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