s a
game two can play at! Where does he come from and who is he!"

The landlord leaned over the counter, and placed a very pale and
startled face close to Sir Norman's.

"That's just what I wanted to tell you, sir, but I was afraid to speak
before him. I think he lives up in that same old ruin you were inquiring
about--at least, he is often seen hanging around there; but people are
too much afraid of him to ask him any questions. Ah, sir, it's a strange
place, that ruin, and there be strange stories afloat about it," said
the man, with a portentious shake of the head.

"What are they?" inquired Sir Norman. "I should particularly like to
know."

"Well, sir, for one thing, some folks say it is haunted, on account of
the queer lights and noises about it, sometimes; but, again, there be
other folks, sir, that say the ghosts are alive, and that he"--nodding
toward the door--"is a sort of ringleader among them."

"And who are they that cut up such cantrips in the old place, pray?"

"Lord only knows, sir. I'm sure I don't. I never go near it myself; but
there are others who have, and some of them tell of the most beautiful
lady, all in white, with long, black hair, who walks on the battlements
moonlight nights."

"A beautiful lady, all in white, with long, black hair! Why, that
description applies to Leoline exactly."

And Sir Norman gave a violent start, and arose to proceed to the place
directly.

"Don't you go near it, sir!" said the host, warningly. "Others have
gone, as he told you, and never come back; for these be dreadful times,
and men do as they please. Between the plague and their wickedness, the
Lord only knows what will become of us!"

"If I should return here for my horse in an hour or two, I suppose I can
get him?" sad Sir Norman, as he turned toward the door.

"It's likely you can, sir, if I'm not dead by that time," said the
landlord, as he sank down again, groaning dismally, with his chin
between his hands.

The night was now profoundly dark; but Sir Norman knew the road and ruin
well, and, drawing his sword, walked resolutely on. The distance between
it and the ruin was trifling, and in less than ten minutes it loomed
up before him, a mass of deeper black in the blackness. No white vision
floated on the broken battlements this night, as Sir Norman looked
wistfully up at them; but neither was there any ungainly dwarf, with
two-edged sword, guarding the ruined entrance; and Sir Norman passed
un