'This day twelvemonth,' said the man, 'you shall see me again; and so every year till your time is up.

I hope you will enjoy your game!' The earl would have sprung to his feet, but could not stir, and the man was nowhere to be seen.

He was gone, taking with him both door and windows of the room--not as Samson carried off the gates of Gaza, however, for he left not the least sign of where they had been.
From that day to this no one has been able to find the room.

There the wicked earl and his companions still sit, playing with the same pack of cards, and waiting their doom.

It has been said that, on that same day of the year--only, unfortunately, testimony differs as to the day--shouts of drunken laughter may be heard issuing from somewhere in the castle; but as to the direction whence they come, none can ever agree.