The Capuchin had
taken the same precaution, and followed Peregrine into the room,
pronouncing benedicite, and crossing himself with many marks of
astonishment. The physician and Jolter appearing at the same time,
the unfortunate painter was found lying naked on the floor, in all
the agony of horror and dismay, blowing upon his left hand, that
hung dangling from the elbow. The circumstance of his being found
in that apartment, and the attitude of his affliction, which was
extremely ridiculous, provoked the doctor to a smile, and produced
a small relaxation in the severity of the governor's countenance;
while Pickle, testifying his surprise and concern, lifted him from
the ground, and inquired into the cause of his present situation.
Having, after some recollection, and fruitless endeavours to speak,
recovered the use of his tongue, he told them that the house was
certainly haunted by evil spirits, by which he had been conveyed,
he knew not how, into that apartment, and afflicted with all the
tortures of hell: that one of them had made itself sensible to his
feeling, in the shape of a round ball of smooth flesh, which turned
round under his hand, like an astronomer's globe; and then, rising
up to a surprising height, was converted into a machine that laid
hold on his finger, by a snap; and having pinned him to the spot,
he continued for some moments in unspeakable agony.
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