“Remain here till your hair is grown again; then return to your own country; and at that period of the year when the days and nights are of equal length, go on the bridge which crosses the Weser, and there remain till a friend, whom you shall there meet, shall tell you what you ought to do to get possession of terrestrial wealth. When you are rolling in riches and prosperity, remember me; and on every anniversary of the day on which you released me from the heavy maledictions which overwhelmed me, cause a mass to be said for the repose of my soul. Adieu! I must now leave you.”
Thus saying, the phantom vanished, and left his liberator perfectly astonished at the strange history he had just related. For a considerable time Francis remained immoveable, and reasoned within himself as to the reality of what he had seen; for he could not help fancying still that it was only a dream; but his closely shaved head soon convinced him that the event had actually taken place. He got into bed again, and slept soundly until mid-day.
The malicious inn-keeper had been on the watch from the dawn of day for the appearance of the traveller, in order that he might enjoy a laugh at his expense, and express his surprise at the night’s adventure. But after waiting till his patience was nearly exhausted, and finding it approached to noon, he began to apprehend that the spirit had either strangled the stranger, or that he had died of fright. He therefore called his servants together, and ran with them to the castle, passing through every room till they reached the one in which he had observed the light the over-night; there he found a strange key in the door, which was still bolted; for Francis had drawn the bolts after the ghost had vanished. The landlord, who was all anxiety, knocked loudly; and Francis on waking, at first thought that it was the phantom come to pay him another visit; but at length recognising the landlord’s voice, he got up and opened the door.
The landlord, affecting the utmost possible astonishment, clasped his hands, and exclaimed, “Great God and all the saints! then the red cloak has actually been here and shaved you completely? I now see that the story is but too well founded. But pray relate to me all the particulars; tell me what the spirit was like; how he came thus to shave you; and what he said to you?”