and all the forms of law gone through with as if it had indeed been a
court of justice. The seaman treated the affair lightly, laughed and
joked with the farmers, and the crowd began to disperse, when a burst of
musical laughter, bitter mocking in its tones, was heard in the
apartment. It came from no one there. All stood aghast. Many a
stout-hearted countryman who would have faced a cannon without
shrinking, trembled and turned pale. The women shrieked; the nobleman
started up.

'Let no one quit the apartment,' said he. 'Search the walls--there must
be some secret panel there.' It was done, but not a trace, not a knob
was visible; all sounded hard and solid.

'You have a shipmate with you, my lord,' said the mariner, 'whose name
is not upon the ship's books. I have heard of such things at sea.'

'And what might your wisdom suppose them to be?' said the Earl, with a
sneer.

'It is hard for man to tell,' said the seaman, who had not been the
slightest discomposed by the voice. 'He who made the ocean and the dry
land alone knows; but a conscience void of offence is the sheet anchor
for man to rely upon in the voyage of life. I never knew such a thing to
happen save to a wicked man.'

'Ha,' said the Earl sarcastically, 'a moralizing tar-bucket. Truly, this
age is prolific in wonders. The march of intellect is abroad with a
vengeance. But since these good people have been disappointed of their
expected morning's amusement, perhaps you will favor them and myself
with this yarn, I think they call it; and Lambert, order some ale to be