, a bed-staff was thrown at the
minister, which hit him on the leg, but so favourably, that a lock of wool
could not have fallen more softly." On another occasion, the blacksmith of
the village, a fellow who cared neither for ghost nor devil, slept with
John the footman, that he also might hear the disturbances and be cured of
his incredulity, when there "came a noise in the room as if one had been
shoeing a horse, and somewhat came, as it were, with a pair of pincers,"
snipping and snapping at the poor blacksmith's nose the greater part of
the night. Next day it came panting like a dog out of breath; upon which
some woman present took a bed-staff to knock at it, "which was caught
suddenly out of her hand and thrown away; and company coming up, the room
was presently filled with a _bloomy noisome smell_, and was very hot,
though without fire, in a very sharp and severe winter. It continued in
the bed, panting and scratching for an hour and a half, and then went into
the next room, where it knocked a little, and seemed to rattle a chain."

The rumour of these wonderful occurrences soon spread all over the
country, and people from far and near flocked to the haunted house of
Tedworth, to believe or doubt as their natures led them, but all filled
with intense curiosity. It appears, too, that the fame of these events
reached the royal ear, and that some gentlemen were sent by the king to
investigate the circumstances, and draw up a report of what they saw or
heard. Whether the royal commissioners were more sensible men than the
neighbours of Mr. Mompesson, and required more clear and positive evidence
than they, or whether the powers with which they were armed to punish any
body who might be found carrying on this deception frightened the
evil-doers, is not certain; but Glanvil himself reluctantly confesses that
all the time they were in the house the noises ceased, and nothing was
heard or seen. "However," says he, "as to the quiet of the house when the
courtiers were there, the intermission may have been accidental, or
perhaps the demon was not willing to give so public a testimony of those
transactions which might possibly convince those who he had rather should
continue in unbelief of his existence."

As soon as the royal commissioners took their departure, the infernal
drummer recommenced his antics, and hundreds of persons were daily present
to hear and wonder. Mr. Mompesson's servant was so fortunate as not only
to h