The Laughter of a Devil in the Moonlight

The words used by hugo baskeville when he was in wine were such as might blast the man who said them. It chanced that some little time later, hugo left his guest to carry food and drink, with other worse things, perchance to his captive. And so found the cage empty and the bird escaped. He became as one that hath a devil for rushing down the stairs into the dining hall; flagons and trenchers flying before him. Then he cried aloud before all the company that he would that very night, render his body and soul to the powers of evil, if he might but overtake the wench. But anon their amused wits awoke to