Book One - Chapter 26 Wherein I Learn More Concerning the Ghost of the Ruined Hut

And after the Ancient and Simon and I had, very creditably,
emptied the jug between us, I rose to depart.

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

"Home!" said I.

"And wheer be that?"

"The cottage in the Hollow," said I.

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

"Yes," I nodded; "from what I saw of it, I think, with a little
repairing, it might suit me very well."

"But the ghost?" cried the old man; "have ye forgot the ghost?"

"Why, I never heard of a ghost really harming any one yet," I
answered.

"Peter," said Simon, quietly, "I wouldn't be too sure o' that. I
wouldn't go a-nigh the place, myself; once is enough for me."

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

Now when 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
excitedly. "A gert, tall think 'e be, wi' a 'orn on 'is 'ead,
and likewise a tail; some might ha' thought 't was the Wanderin'
Man o' the Roads as I found 'angin' on t' stapil--some on 'em du,
but I knowed better--I knowed 't were Old Nick 'isself, all
flame, and brimstone, an' wi' a babby under 'is arm!"