THE GHOST. 269

Theo. “In his sleep, you say ?”

Tra. “Certainly. How could he have appeared
to him when he was awake, seeing that it was sixty
years since the man was killed? You are sometimes
extraordinarily stupid, my master.”

Theo. “1 say no more.”

Tra. “What the dead man said to him was this:
‘I am a stranger from over the sea, Diapontius by
name. I dwell here. The regions below would not
receive me because I was slain before my time. I
was treacherously murdered by my host in this house,
and within these walls. I was thrust into the earth
without due burial rites. All this the villain did for
the sake of gain. Depart thou hence. This is a
wicked house; it is under a curse.’ This is what the ~
ghost said. As for the horrible things that happen
here, it would take me a year and more to tell them.
Hush!”

At this point a noise was heard from within. The
party had forgotten their situation, and were becom-
ing uproarious.

Theo. “ Good heavens! What is it?”

Tra. (speaking to the ghost). “It was he. that
knocked, not I.”

Theo. “Oh, dear! the dead man will carry me off

-alive!”

Tra. (aside). “These fellows will spoil the whole
business with their noise.” .

Lheo, “What are you talking to yourself about?”