Then the King was astonished , but very glad , and asked how it had fared with him . `` First-rate , '' he answered ; `` and now I 've survived the one night , I shall get through the other two also . '' The landlord , when he went to him , opened his eyes wide , and said : `` Well , I never thought to see you alive again . Have you learned now what shuddering is ? '' `` No , '' he replied , `` it 's quite hopeless ; if someone could only tell me how to ! '' The second night he went up again to the old castle , sat down at the fire , and began his old refrain : `` If I could only shudder ! '' As midnight approached , a noise and din broke out , at first gentle , but gradually increasing ; then all was quiet for a minute , and at length , with a loud scream , half of a man dropped down the chimney and fell before him . `` Hi , up there ! '' shouted he ; `` there 's another half wanted down here , that 's not enough '' ; then the din commenced once more , there was a shrieking and a yelling , and then the other half fell down . `` Wait a bit , '' he said ; `` I 'll stir up the fire for you . '' When he had done this and again looked around , the two pieces had united , and a horrible-looking man sat on his seat . `` Come , '' said the youth , `` I did n't bargain for that , the seat is mine . '' The man tried to shove him away , but the youth would n't allow it for a moment , and , pushing him off by force , sat down in his place again . Then more men dropped down , one after the other , who fetching nine skeleton legs and two skulls , put them up and played ninepins with them . The youth thought he would like to play too , and said : `` Look here ; do you mind my joining the game ? '' `` No , not if you have money . '' `` I 've money enough , '' he replied , `` but your balls are n't round enough . '' Then he took the skulls , placed them on his lathe , and turned them till they were round . `` Now they 'll roll along better , '' said he , `` and houp-la ! now the fun begins . ''
He played with them and lost some XXXXX his money , but when twelve struck everything vanished before his eyes .
If after at before for of on through till with