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"That's the time o' day, my boys!" exclaimed Obadiah, as Sylvester, with appropriate gravity, resumed his seat. "They're the words to fructify the bosom of a Briton, and touch the ideas of the human heart! What do you think of that, my boy, eh?" he added, slapping Pokey on the back in a state of ecstacy. "What do you think of that for a boney fide speech?"

"It is a boney fide 'un, that," replied Pokey. "It's what I call splendacious!"

The glasses were again replenished, and Obadiah sang another song, at the conclusion of which Sylvester suddenly rose, exclaiming—

"The ghost—I must see the ghost!"

"Oh, stop a little longer, sir—do!" said Obadiah.

"Yes, do, sir," cried Pokey; "and then we'll go together."

"It may be there now," resumed Sylvester, whose eyes became fixed. "I must go and see."

"Well, come back again for five minutes," cried Obadial—"do come back again, if it's only merely just to say good night."

Sylvester, who had by this time reached the door, left the house, and walked deliberately home; and having undressed himself, got into bed, and adjusted the string round his ancle again.

In the morning, Sylvester's very first object was to ascertain whether the string was all right, and on finding that it was, he felt, of course, perfectly sure that he had not been out of bed.

This evidence, however, was not alone sufficient to convince him that he was not a somnambulist. He had first to learn whether the "ghost" had re-appeared. If it had, then the evidence of the string might be held to be conclusive; but if it had not—if nothing of a mysterious character had occurred—he felt that he should be still in a state of uncertainty, seeing that he might be in reality a somnambulist, and yet not walk every night.

He, therefore, rose and dressed hastily, and being extremely anxious to make the necessary inquiries, went to Judkins, who was then in the garden.

"Well, Judkins," said he, "have you heard any more about the ghost?"

"No, sir, I don't think he came at all last night: leastways, I haven't heard nothing about it, and I know if he had, I should have heard afore this. I wonder what it wants a-coming poking about here, a-frightening people in this here manner. I expect there's some money hid some-