he called out , but the figure gave no answer , and neither stirred nor moved . `` Answer , '' cried the youth , `` or begone ; you have no business here at this hour of the night . '' But the sexton remained motionless , so that the youth might think that it was a ghost . The youth called out the second time : `` What do you want here ? Speak if you are an honest fellow , or I 'll knock you down the stairs . '' The sexton thought : `` He ca n't mean that in earnest , '' so gave forth no sound , and stood as though he were made of stone . Then the youth shouted out to him the third time , and as that too had no effect , he made a dash at the spectre and knocked it down the stairs , so that it fell about ten steps and remained lying in a corner . Thereupon he tolled the bell , went home to bed without saying a word , and fell asleep . The sexton 's wife waited a long time for her husband , but he never appeared . At last she became anxious , and woke the youth , and asked : `` Do n't you know where my husband is ? He went up to the tower in front of you . '' `` No , '' answered the youth ; `` but someone stood on the stairs up there just opposite the trap-door in the belfry , and because he would n't answer me , or go away , I took him for a rogue and knocked him down . You 'd better go and see if it was he ; I should be much distressed if it were . '' The wife ran and found her husband who was lying groaning in a corner , with his leg broken . She carried him down , and then hurried with loud protestations to the youth 's father . `` Your son has been the cause of a pretty misfortune , '' she cried ; `` he threw my husband downstairs so that he broke his leg . Take the good-for-nothing wretch out of our house . '' The father was horrified , hurried to the youth , and gave him a scolding . `` What unholy pranks are these ? The evil one must have put them into your head . ''
`` Father , '' he replied , `` only listen XXXXX me ; I am quite guiltless .
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