vi] THE RED BARON. 295

 

process, and arranged themselves as cosily and com-
fortably as if they had been man and wife, or two
college companions, or two gentlemen tired of a good
day’s hunting, instead of a weary traveller in a haunted
castle and the identical ghost who had given that
castle its reputation.

After a few minutes devoted to reflection and
digestion, the latter of which was necessary to the
traveller, if not to his companion, the latter gravely
enquired whether his new friend objected to smoke,
and an answer in the negative having been returned,
drew from his pocket a pipe, coloured red like every-
thing else belonging to him, which he presently
lighted, and began to puff away with great assiduity.
Our friend, nothing loth to follow so excellent an
example, produced his own pipe and set to work to
enjoy himself after the same fashion. For some few
moments they smoked in silence, until the traveller,
who was always for making the most of opportunities
which threw themselves in his way when on a
journey, bethought him of what had fallen from his
companion at the commencement of their supper, and
asked him whether he felt inclined to relate to him
the story to which he had alluded. With a deep
sigh, as if the request had evoked painful memories,
the little red man said that he would not refuse.

‘ Still” remarked he, ‘I would have you know
that the story is one which I would only tell to a
boon companion like yourself. You eat with an
appetite worthy of a peasant—you drink with a relish
worthy of a prince—you smoke also like one who
knows how to enjoy it, and not like those numerous