Suddenly the phantom with whom he had had frequent conversations appeared, and there was a sneer on its lips.

Samuel addressed it once more--this was to be the last time; he said: "Imbecile! You are my evil genius.

It was you who caused me to commit this extravagance.

You yourself lighted the candle, you put the bills into my hands, you guided my arm, extended it, held it above the fatal flame.

This act of supreme heroism was your work; it is not I, it is you, who paid so dearly for the pleasure of astonishing one who wantonly insulted me, and of killing him.