No mention was made of the supernatural, and they did not talk about Sir Simon de Canterville at all. At eleven o'clock the family retired, and by half-past all the lights were out.

Some time after, Mr Otis was awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment. He got up at once, struck a match, and looked at the time. It was exactly one o'clock.

He was quite calm, and felt his pulse, which was not at all fast. The strange noise still continued, and with it he heard distinctly the sound of footsteps. He put on his slippers, took a small phial out of his bedside table, and opened the door. Right in front of him he saw, in the wan moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect.

His eyes were like red burning coals; long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of a very old style, were dirty and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty chains.

'My dear sir,' said Mr Otis, 'I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials about it on the wrapper from some of our most eminent divines'.

'I shall leave it here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more should you require it.'