The ranger took Garret's arm, and expostulating with him as he led him away, dismissed him at the gate with an admonition to bear himself discreetly in the presence of his wife,--a hint which seemed to have a salutary effect, as the landlord was seen shaping his course with an improved carriage towards the town. "Have you reason to believe, Captain Dauntrees," said the Proprietary, after Weasel had departed; "that the Cripple gives credit to these tales. He lives near this troubled house?" "Not above a gunshot off, my Lord. He cannot but be witness to these marvels. But he is a man of harsh words, and lives to himself. There is matter in his own life, I should guess, which leaves but little will to censure these doings. To a certainty he has no fear of what may dwell in the Black building.--I have seldom spoken with him." "Your report and Arnold's," said the Proprietary, "confirm the common rumour. I have heard to-day, that two nights past some such phantoms as you speak of have been seen, and deemed it at first a mere gossip's wonder;--but what you tell gives a graver complexion of truth to these whisperings. Be there demons or jugglers amongst us--and I have reason to suspect both--this matter must be sifted. I would have the inquiry made by men who are not moved by the vulgar love of marvel. This duty shall be yours, friends. Make suitable preparation, Captain, to discharge it at your earliest leisure. I would have you and Arnold, with such discreet friends as you may select, visit this spot at night and observe the doings there. Look that you keep your own counsel:--we have enemies of flesh and blood that may be more dreaded than these phantoms. So, God speed you friends!" "The man who purges the Black House of the fiend, so please you, my Lord," said Dauntrees, "should possess more odour of sanctity than I doubt will be found under our soldier's jerkins. I shall nevertheless execute your Lordship's orders to the letter." "Hark you, Captain," said the Proprietary, as his visiters were about to take their leave--"if you have a scruple in this matter and are so inclined, I would have you confer with Father Pierre. Whether this adventure require prayer, or weapon of steel, you shall judge for yourself." "I shall take it, my Lord, as a point of soldiership," said Dauntrees, "to be dealt with, in soldierly fashion--that is, with round blows if occasion serves. I ask no aid from our good priest. He hath a trick--if I may be so bold as to speak it before your Lordship--which doth not so well sort with my age and bodily health,--a trick, my Lord, of putting one to a fasting penance by way of purification. Our purpose of visiting the Black House would be unseasonably delayed by such a purgation." "As thou wilt--as thou wilt!" said the Proprietary, laughing; "Father Pierre would have but an idle sinecure, if he had no other calling but to bring thee to thy penitentiary.--Good even, friends,--may the kind saints be with you!"