before the good old man, being deaf, and of impaired intellect, could
be made to comprehend such portions of the affair as were
comprehensible at all. But, when possessed of the facts, his energies
assumed unexpected vigor.

"Verily," said the old gentleman, "it will be fitting that I enter the
mansion-house of the worthy Colonel Fenwicke, lest any harm should
have befallen that true Christian woman, whom ye call the 'Old Maid in
the Winding-Sheet.'"

Behold, then, the venerable clergyman ascending the steps of the
mansion, with a torch-bearer behind him. It was the elderly man, who
had spoken to the Old Maid, and the same who had afterwards explained
the shield of arms, and recognized the features of the negro. Like
their predecessors, they gave three raps, with the iron hammer.

"Old Caesar cometh not," observed the priest. "Well, I wot, he no
longer doth service in this mansion."

"Assuredly, then, it was something worse, in old Caesar's likeness!"
said the other adventurer.

"Be it as God wills," answered the clergyman. "See! my strength,
though it be much decayed, hath sufficed to open this heavy door. Let
us enter, and pass up the staircase."

Here occurred a singular exemplification of the dreamy state of a very
old man's mind. As they ascended the wide flight of stairs, the aged
clergyman appeared to move with caution, occasionally standing aside,
and oftener bending his head, as it were in salutation, thus