Obadiah spoke no word to break in on his thoughts.

Now and then the old man's insane chucklings floated softly to Nathaniel's ears, and when at last they came to the cabin in the forest he broke into a low laugh that echoed weirdly in the great black room which they entered.

He lighted another candle and approached a ladder which led through a trap in the ceiling.

Without a word he mounted this ladder, and Nathaniel followed him, finding himself a moment later in a small low room furnished with a bed.

The councilor placed his candle on a table close beside it and rubbed his hands until it seemed they must burn.
"You will stay--eh, Nat ?" he cried, bobbing his head.