This completed Solomon’s horror. His knees gave way, his teeth chattered, his eyes rolled fearfully. He sank upon the floor, and remained there in a sitting posture. “Come in,” shouted Bruce. “Hallo, Solomon! What’s the matter? Get up. Are you faint? Here, take a drink of water. Why, man, what’s the matter?” Encouraged by Bruce’s words, Solomon made a great effort, and got up, edging away behind the boys as far from the-door as he could get. No one had come in. And so Arthur went to the door, and opened it. Nobody was there. As he stood wondering, Jiggins’s door opened, and Jiggins made his appearance, clad in the habiliments of the night. “Hallo, Jiggins!” said Arthur. “Did you knock?” “Me? Knock? Me? No,” said Jiggins. “I--I was just in bed, and asleep, and heard that howl above; and then there came a knock. I thought it was you, wanting to see me.” “No; none of us knocked.” “Somebody did, then.” “And some one knocked at our door, too,” said Arthur. “What does it all mean?” said Jiggins. By this time the other boys were out in the hall, and were looking at one another. Bart looked along the floor, to see if the knock could have been produced by a stone thrown. Behind Tom might be seen Solomon, afraid to be too far behind, and yet not daring to venture forward. “It’s queer,’ said Arthur. “I don’t like it,” said Jiggins, solemnly. “It somehow don’t seem right. I feel really uncomfortable. There’s something about that--is--not--right.” “Well, boys,” said Bart, “shall we go up again?” “I suppose we may as well.” “O, it’s no use,” said Arthur. “There’s nothing more. Still, this knock ought to be investigated.” “Let’s go, then.” “O, no,” groaned Solomon. “No--don’t--doo-on’t go; don’t go an leab dis pore ’stracted nigga ’posed to sich clamties. Don’t leab a ’flicted ole darky to de powers of darkness.” “Nonsense! Solomon. Don’t be afraid. You wait here till we come back.” “Couldn’t! Darsn’t!” cried Solomon. “Neb-ber, nebber lib troo dat ar speriment. No, Mas’r Bart, _you_ won’t leab a ole fool; _you’ll_ stan by a ole man.” “All right,” said Bart. “I’ll see you down stairs, if you like. Come.” At that instant there sounded out a deep toll from the great bell in the cupola. It was one single toll, but so profound, so awful, and so solemn, did that solitary knell peal forth through the still night air, that even those who felt no fear could not avoid an involuntary sensation of awe. Solomon clutched at Bart’s arm, and looked as though he had no life left in him. “That settles it,” said Bart. “That’s a little too much, boys. We’ll have to wind this thing up--won’t we? Bring along a light, Phil.” “O, Mas’r Bart! get me home,” groaned Solomon. “I member you when you wor a chile. I used to give you candy. Don let me be gobbled up.” “Nonsense! Solomon. Come along; I’ll see you safe down, and then you can run for it to your room. Wait a minute, boys.”