Amy cried out when she first saw it , but a second glance reassured her , and she patted the bald head approvingly , as Karl explained . -- `` Count Severin is an antiquarian , and amuses himself with things of this sort . In old times there really was a hermit here , and this is his effigy . Come down these narrow stairs , if you please , and see the rest of the mummery . '' Down they went , and the instant Helen looked about her , she burst into a hysterical laugh , for there sat her ruffian , exactly as she saw him , glaring over his shoulder with threatening eyes , and one hand on the pistol . They all looked at her , for she was pale , and her merriment unnatural ; so , feeling she had excited curiosity , she gratified it by narrating her night 's adventure . Hoffman looked much concerned . `` Pardon , mademoiselle , the door should have been bolted on this side . It usually is , but that room being unused , it was forgotten . I remembered it , and having risen early , crept up to make sure that you did not come upon this ugly thing unexpectedly . But I was too late , it seems ; you have suffered , to my sorrow . '' `` Dear Nell , and that was why I found you so pale and cold and quiet , sitting by me when I woke , guarding me faithfully as you promised you would . How brave and kind you were ! '' `` Villain ! I should much like to fire your own pistols at you for this prank of yours . '' And Casimer laughingly filliped the image on its absurdly aquiline nose . `` What in the name of common sense is this goblin here for ? '' demanded the major , testily . `` There is a legend that once the owner of the chateau amused himself by decoying travellers here , putting them to sleep in that room , and by various devices alluring them thither . Here , one step beyond the threshold of the door , was a trap , down which the unfortunates were precipitated to the dungeon at the bottom of the tower , there to die and be cast into the lake through a water-gate , still to be seen .
Severin keeps this flattering likeness of the rascal , as he does the monk above , to amuse visitors by daylight , not at XXXXX , mademoiselle . ''
Casimer Hoffman Karl Severin Villain effigy fire goblin night second