ntous night before the adventure with the
fulling-mills: 'One less courageous would have lost his presence of
mind altogether.' The splashing of some water in the vicinity, and the
barking of dogs, showed that we were not far from the
leather-manufactory, which is by the river in the neighbourhood of
Potsdam. We at last heard some dully sounding steps, which became
nearer and nearer until the major cried out close to us: 'Now we are
together, and that which we have begun can be completed.' By means of
a chemical fire-box he kindled the torches which he had brought with
him and stuck them in the ground. They were seven in number. We found
that we were in the ruined vault of a cellar. O'Malley ranged us in a
half-circle, threw off his cloak and shirt, so that he remained naked
to the waist, and opening the book began to read as follows, in a voice
that more resembled the dull roaring of a distant beast of prey than
the sound of a human being: Monsieur, pretez moi un peu, s'il vous
plait, votre canif.--Oui, Monsieur, d'abord--le voila, je vous le
rendrai.'

"Come," said Albert, here interrupting his friend, "this is indeed too
bad! The dialogue 'On writing,' from Peplier's Grammar, as a formula
for exorcism! And you did not laugh out and bring the whole thing to
an end at once?"

"I am now," continued Victor, "coming to a moment which I doubt whether
I shall succeed in describing. May your fancy only give animation to
my words! The major's voice grew more awful, while the wind howled
more loudly, and the flickering light of the torches covered the walls
with strange forms, that changed as they flitted by. I felt the cold
perspiration dripping on my forehead, and forcibly succeeded in
preserving my presence of mind, when a cutting tone whistled through
the vault, and close before my eyes stood something----"

"How?" cried Albert. "Something! What do you mean, Victor? A
frightful form?"

"It sounds absurd," continued Victor, "to talk of 'a formless form,'
but I can find no other word to express the hideous something that I
saw. It is enough to say that at that moment the horror of hell thrust
its pointed ice-dagger into my heart, and I became insensible. At
broad mid-day I found myself undressed and lying upon my couch. All
the horrors of the night had passed, and I felt quite well and easy.
My young friend, the lieutenant, was asleep in the arm-chair. As soon
as I stirred he awoke, and testified the g