`` Well , I wot he no longer doth service in this mansion . '' `` Assuredly , then , it was something worse in old Cæsar 's likeness , '' said the other adventurer . `` Be it as God wills , '' answered the clergyman . `` See ! my strength , though it be much decayed , hath sufficed to open this heavy door . Let us enter and pass up the staircase . '' Here occurred a singular exemplification of the dreamy state of a very old man 's mind . As they ascended the wide flight of stairs the aged clergyman appeared to move with caution , occasionally standing aside , and oftener bending his head , as it were in salutation , thus practising all the gestures of one who makes his way through a throng . Reaching the head of the staircase , he looked around with sad and solemn benignity , laid aside his staff , bared his hoary locks , and was evidently on the point of commencing a prayer . `` Reverend sir , '' said his attendant , who conceived this a very suitable prelude to their further search , `` would it not be well that the people join with us in prayer ? '' `` Well-a-day ! '' cried the old clergyman , staring strangely around him . `` Art thou here with me , and none other ? Verily , past times were present to me , and I deemed that I was to make a funeral prayer , as many a time heretofore , from the head of this staircase . Of a truth , I saw the shades of many that are gone . Yea , I have prayed at their burials , one after another , and the Old Maid in the Winding-Sheet hath seen them to their graves . '' Being now more thoroughly awake to their present purpose , he took his staff and struck forcibly on the floor , till there came an echo from each deserted chamber , but no menial to answer their summons . They therefore walked along the passage , and again paused , opposite to the great front window , through which was seen the crowd in the shadow and partial moonlight of the street beneath . On their right hand was the open door of a chamber , and a closed one on their left . The clergyman pointed his cane to the carved oak panel of the latter .
`` Within that chamber , '' observed he , `` a whole lifetime since , did I sit by the death-bed XXXXX a goodly young man who , being now at the last gasp -- '' Apparently , there was some powerful excitement in the ideas which had now flashed across his mind .
On after as beneath in of that though through with