Year: 1874

tate in Hungary.


1t was at some distance from Pesth, and l
had not visited the property previous to pur-
chasing, for the lawyers representations con-
vnced me that it was bargain, even with the
encumbrances, which consisted of an adopted
daughter and some favorite servants OF the
late count. These we're all, however, provided
with annuities by his will, so that it only re-
NAMED to endure their presence in the castle,
and if they should prove to be serviceable, !
should already be provided with servants &C.
customed to their routine of duties.


From the lawyers manner on discovering
that I myself intended to reside in the castle,
I concluded that it bore the reputation of be-
ing haunted, and rather reveled in the anticl-
patton of bringing to light the secret terrors
of the place.


wrote to the steward to send carriage to
meet me at the nearest station. This l found
in waiting, with prim coachman, in deep
mourning, which at first supposed to be for
the late count.


The man understood his business. His
driving was faultless. But his continual sighs
and means, alternated with weeping outright,
at last led me to questions, which resulted In
his confding to me that he was mourning tor
his sin in having murdered his younger broth
er. was somewhat startled. But in spite
of his violent grief he drove we'll, and soon
brought me to the village, in state OF bewll-
derment both as to his actions and my duty in
the case.


Sometime before we reached the castle we
saw the porter posted on large stone, in mil
itary attitude, and shouldering long stick,
as if it were rifle. AS we approached. ne
shricked, in a fearful tone, present arms"
and began to initiate the sounds Of the drum
and trumpet while with his stick he went
through the eight movements of the Austrian
parade regulations, after which he jumped
down from the stone, mounted the stick as II
it were horse, and gallopei before the car
riage like an outrider, all the time shouting.
When we reached the gate the porter. dis
mounted, and stood like post, saluting me
as sprang from the wagon, and retaining the
most precise military attitude I looked at
him sharply. He had an honest, open coun-
tenance, stamped with faithfulness and loyal
ty. This man was not drunk, but, it would
seem, somewhat out of his head.


I next encountered the gamekeeper, who
speechlessly turned his back in answer to my
inquiries but in a moment there appeared
the valet, a gay fellow of over forty, with his
face wrinkled into the most comical express
sions by habitual laughter. He was commu-
nicative and we'll trained in his duties While
assisting me off with my overcoat, Louis in
formed me that the three servants had pre-
viously encountered were all mad. By the
time he had shown me the stewards apart
ments it was sufficiently apparent that he
himself was at least equally so, though his
was, perhaps, less disagreeable monomanla.
The prospect was not cheering. Twas thank
full to find the steward, at least, rational
man. He was remarkably well informed with
regard to his duties, although his appearance
would rather have indicated a public officer
than a farm steward. After a long conversa-
ton, during which he informed me that the
adopted daughter was also insane, l asked
him for pen and ink, in order to write to the
lawyer from whom l had made the purchase.
He politely showed me his writing-desk, and
then brought me lamp similar to the Davy-
lamp used by miners.


wrote somewhat sharply to the lawyer,
winding up by saying that the only redeem.
ing feature in his bedlam was the finding of
a remarkably sensible and well-educated
steward.


Having finished, l asked the steward for
light and sealing-wax. He begged me to use
waters, and upon my still preferring wax, in
sisted that I should not seal it in his room.
He begged to be pardoned, and turned pale
as he said II must tell you, Sir, that I suffer
from peculiar malady. The air in my lungs
changes quickly to hydrogen, so that the
room in which am gradually becomes filled
with hydrogen gas, and if any one should en-
ter with light the gaseous vapors would ex-
plode, and would set the house on fire"


fell back in my chair Good Heavens
this man was the most insane of ALL | was
here with six mad people, and was myself the
seventh for I had bought this splendid COM
pany. tore up the letter, and despairingly
soug ght my room. Having locked the door
after the valet, noticed that the fire was
burning brightly, and that the supper stood
upon the table, and could not but wonder
what madman had cooked it.


| could not sleep. I turned over in my
mind scores of plans for getting rid of the
property or for leasing it, but none seemed
practicable. There was only one thing cer-
tain-that I must get away. Excitement
played tricks with my imagination the old
count seemed to descend from the frame on
the wall and approach me, murmuring, "Now
l have another fool )" an old clock began to
strike, and kept on into the hundreds the
bed was uncomfortable; the moon shone in
and tormented me- till curtained it out, lest
l too should 60 mad, as was every thing else,
servants, pictures, clocks, beds and moonlight.
Isprang up in rage, resolved that the morn
ing should rid me of my tormentors.


Suddenly something began to steal over me
which quieted thought. What was it, song
or music Pa tone escaped from the harmony
of the spheres? knew not whence it came !;
full influence. 1t ceased in a few moments,
even before / could be certain what it was.


forgot my annoyances, opened the win
dow, and leaned out in the moonlight listen
ing. But the window opened on the court
yard, and there was no sound but the low
barking of dog. went out into the hail.
The song began again, and seemed as if it
were under me. 1t was deeply melancholy
vet not song, only dreamy, y,rhymeless mel
ody, like the notes of a forest bird, but 80
charming and beautiful that stood cnchant-
ed, forgetful of my surroundings.


AS it ceased I wondered if this could be
the insane girl whom the steward had said
had no language but song. l took light
and started in search of some position where |
could hear better but the old castle seemed
to have been built from labyrinthine model.
I went through the first story, and up and
down stairs, and along innumerable halls, till
at last opened door which seemed familiar,
and found myself again in my own room,
without knowing how l got there. noticed
that my bed was remade, the fire replenished,