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citement is over—when the mind comes fructifying round to its own proper juxtaposition—then, my boy, we can look at the whole of the ramifications of the case calmly, and see what out-and-out fools we have been."

"I know what you mean," said Pokey, "exact: although I don't understand them hard words: you mean to say that when we're frightened, we're different to what we are when we are not."

"That's just what I do mean."

"Very good. And I agrees with you. But what puzzles me is, that you should have both heard and seen it, and thought it a ghost, and then, when it's gone, say it's no ghost at all! For my part, I still think it was one, and a real one, too. If it was not, what was it?"

"That's the point. That's just what I should like to find out."

"Do you think it was a man dressed up like a ghost?"

"I do."

"Then why don't you go out and tackle him? You're big enough."

"If it be a man," said Legge; "I should only just like to catch him. I'd serve him out! I'd break every bone in his skin!"

"Well, why don't you go and do it? If I thought it was—little as I am—I'll be blistered if I wouldn't go out and tackle him. But I don't—I can't think it. The very fact of its coming right up to the house, convinces me that it isn't a man."

"I think it is now," observed Legge.

"And so do I," cried Obadiah.

"I don't think it was a ghost," said Quocks.

"No more don't I," said Mr. Bobber.

"Well, then, look here," cried Pokey, "if that's it, look here. Here's four men here as believes it to be nothing but a man dressed up as a ghost—four strong, powerful, bony men—why, do you think that if I was one of you four, and believed, as you believe, that I wouldn't be after him in double quick time?"

"If he is a man," cried Mrs. Legge, who had privately had a little brandy-and-water; "I should like to catch the villain—I'd scratch his very eyes out!"

"But just look you here!" resumed Pokey, who wanted to go home, but didn't at all like the idea of starting; "here's four of you here as does believe it, and yet there isn't one that'll move a peg!"

"Oh, I'll go," said Legge, "if you'll all come with me: or if any one of you will come, I'll go."

"You don't stir out of the house again to-night," said Mrs. Legge, "if I know it. You know, I suppose, what you've got to do in the morning? Let them as likes to go, go: you can't. Here's the brewer, here, coming here at four!"

"I know it, my dear—I know it," said Legge.

"Very well, then; what do you want to go out for?"

"I don't want to go, my dear. Still, if I were quite sure of catching this fellow, I should feel myself bound to go out with the rest."

"I only just wish I had him here," cried Mrs. Legge, energetically; "I'd teach the villain, I'll warrant!"