In the hall he paused to stand on tip-toe, and turn up the lamp, which was burning low.

As he did so, I found time to fling a glance at my old enemy, the mastiff.

He lay as I had first seen him-- a stuffed dog, if ever there was one.

"Decidedly," thought I, "my wits are to seek to-night;" and with the same, a sudden suspicion made me turn to my conductor, who had advanced to the left-hand door, and was waiting for me, with a hand on the knob.
"One moment!" I said: "This is all very pretty, but how am I to know you're not sending me to bed while you fetch in all the countryside to lay me by the heels ?" "I'm afraid," was his answer, "you must be content with my word, as a gentleman, that never, to-night or hereafter, will I breathe a syllable about the circumstances of your visit.

However, if you choose, we will return up-stairs." "No; I'll trust you," said I; and he opened the door.
It led into a broad passage paved with slate, upon which three or four rooms opened.