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And after the Ancient and Si between us, I rose to depart

"Peter," said the Ancient, "wheer be goin'?"

"Hoe in the Hollow," said I

"What--th' 'aunted cottage?" he cried, staring

"Yes," I nodded; "fro, it host?" cried the old host really har any one yet," I

answered

"Peter," said Sio a-nigh the place, h for me"

"Simon," said I, "what do you mean by 'once'?"

Nohen I asked him this, Simon breathed hard, and shuffled

uneasily in his chair

"I mean, Peter, as I've heerd un," he replied slowly

"Heard him!" I repeated incredulously; "you? Are you sure?"

"Sure as death, Peter I've heerd un a-shriekin' and a-groanin'

to 'isself, same as Gaffer 'as, and lots of others Why, Lord

bless 'ee! theer be scarce a man in these parts but 'as 'eerd um

one time or another"

"Ay--I've 'eerd un, and seen un tu!" croaked the Ancient