and more
distinct.

They drew nearer.

And now they could perceive within the house something like a muffled
light. It was a faint glimmer, like one of those effects produced by
dark lanterns, already referred to, and which are common at the midnight
meetings of witches.

When they were close to the house they halted.

One of the two Torteval boys ventured on an observation:

"It isn't spirits: it is ladies dressed in white."

"What's that hanging from the window?" asked the other.

"It looks like a rope."

"It's a snake."

"It is only a hangman's rope," said the French boy, authoritatively.
"That's what they use. Only I don't believe in them."

And in three bounds, rather than steps, he found himself against the
wall of the building.

The two others, trembling, imitated him, and came pressing against him,
one on his right side, the other on his left. The boys applied their
ears to the wall. The sounds continued.

The following was the conversation of the phantoms:--

* * * * *

"Asi, entendido esta?"

"Entendido."

"Dicho?"

"Dicho."

"Aqui esperara un hombre, y podra marcharse en Inglaterra con
Blasquito."

"Pagando?"

* * * * *

"So that is understood?"

"Perfectly."

"As is arranged?"

"As is arranged."

"A man will wait here, and can accompany Blasquito to England."

"Paying the expense?"

* * * * *

"Pagando."

"Blasquito tomara al hombre en su barca."

"Sin buscar para conocer a su pais?"

"No nos toca."

"Ni a su nombre del hombre?"

"No se pide el nombre, pero se pesa la bolsa."

"Bien: esperara el hombre en esa casa."

"Tenga que comer."

"Tendra."

"Onde?"

"En este saco que he llevado."

"Muy bien."

"Puedo dexar el saco aqui?"

"Los contrabandistas no son ladrones."

"Y vosotros, cuando marchais?"

"Manana por la manana. Si su hombre de usted parado podria venir con
nosotros."

"Parado no esta."

"Hacienda suya."

"Cuantos dias esperara alli?"

* * * * *

"Paying the expense."

"Blasquito will take the man in his bark."

"Without seeking to know what country he belongs to?"

"That is no business of ours."

"Without asking his name?"

"We do not ask for names; we only feel the weight of the purse."

"Good: the man shall wait in this house."

"He must have provisions."

"He will be furnished with them."