The figure looked down upon him sternly: the portrait in the
frontispiece frowned as he gazed.
"Wretched man," said the phantom, "and how have these things
affected you?"
"Once I laughed and cried, but then I was younger. Now, I would
forget them if I could."
"Have then your wish. And take this with you, man whom I renounce.
From this day henceforth you shall live with those whom I displace.
Without forgetting me, 't will be your lot to walk through life as
if we had not met. But first you shall survey these scenes that
henceforth must be yours. At one to-night, prepare to meet the
phantom I have raised. Farewell!"
The sound of its voice seemed to fade away with the dying wind, and
the Haunted Man was alone. But the firelight flickered gayly, and
the light danced on the walls, making grotesque figures of the
furniture.
"Ha, ha!" said the Haunted Man, rubbing his hands gleefully; "now
for a whiskey punch and a cigar."
BOOK II.
THE SECOND PHANTOM.
One! The stroke of the far-off bell had hardly died before the
front door closed with a reverberating clang. Steps were heard
along the passage; the library door swung open of itself, and the
Knocker--yes, the Knocker--slowly strode into the room.
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