n
taking the direction to the old abbey-church. The sight of such ancient
buildings was always keenly relished by him, by reason of his antiquarian
tastes; but in this instance, it led to the clearing up of the last
night's mystery; for in his rambles around this immense pile of
architecture, he literally 'stumbled upon' an old friend, who was
connected with the parish affairs, and was consequently enabled to give
much interest to his descriptions of the place. The last night's events
were of course not forgotten; in fact it was all circumstantially
detailed, even to a minute description of the dwarf.

'Well, well,' was the reply, 'I think I can show you the living facsimile
of your fancied dream; the only thing which puzzles me is to account for
his entrance to your chamber. Let us step into the house adjoining the
inn, and you shall judge for yourself.'

They accordingly adjourned to the place indicated; and there the very imp
himself was actually felt and handled! It required some coaxing, not
unmixed with threats, before he could be prevailed upon to unfold the
secrets of his prison-house, but they were finally extorted. It seemed,
that up stairs, on a level with the haunted chamber, was a closet,
immediately back of the fire-place with the carved oaken mantelpiece, once
side of which, it will be remembered, was at least two feet wide; and its
curious carvings were so adroitly made as to conceal the cracks of that
part which opened as a door: this, if even left ajar, would still be in
shadow from the fire on the hearth, and consequently an instant of time
was only necessary for the person near by to make his escape, and to
effectually conceal the mode by which it was accomplished. The brick jam
was of course hollow, and led to the back of the closet in the next house;
which, being pannelled all around, and situated against a solid wall, as
was supposed, had eluded discovery after the builders had passed away. How
this misshapen piece of humanity had re-discovered it, I never knew; but I
fancy that, accidentally being in the closet at the time when there had
been a noise made in the fire-place, either from kindling a fire or
cleaning it; and hearing this noise distinctly, might have suggested to
him to try the back; which, opening inside of the secret passage, might
have been forced from its spring-catch; while the holes in the carved work
of the mantel enabled him to see if any one was in the room; and thus
prevent