observed, "We are here, in a manner, at the end of the earth, and the
weather is horrible; will he be able to find us here?" That moment the
voice was heard, louder and more terrible than ever. The lady imagined the
room filled with demons, and, leaping out of bed, ran down stairs,
alarming the whole house. Nobody slept a wink that night. This was the
last time the voice was heard. But this unwelcome visiter had soon another
and more disagreeable method of notifying his presence.

She had been left in peace some time, when one evening, at the usual hour,
while she was sitting at table with her friends, she was startled at the
discharge of a gun or a well-charged pistol; it seemed to have passed
through the window. All present heard the report and saw the flash, but on
examination the pane was found uninjured. The company was nevertheless
greatly concerned, and it was generally believed that some one's life had
been attempted. Some present ran to the police, while the rest searched
the adjoining houses;--but in vain; nothing was discovered that could
excite the least suspicion. The next evening sentinels were stationed at
all the neighbouring windows; the house itself, where Antonelli lived, was
closely searched, and spies were placed in the street.

But all this precaution availed nothing. Three months in succession, at
the same moment, the report was heard; the charge entered at the same pane
of glass without making the least alteration in its appearance; and what
is remarkable, it invariably took place precisely one hour before midnight;
although the Neapolitans have the Italian way of keeping time according to
which midnight forms no remarkable division. At length the shooting grew
as familiar as the voice had formerly been, and this innocent malice of
the spirit was forgiven him. The report often took place without
disturbing the company, or even interrupting their conversation.