


          It was midnight when the boy reached the castle. In the castle's 
     great hall, he made a fire in the huge fireplace. Then he pulled up a 
     chair and settled himself to wait. 
          "Now I'm sure to get the willies," he said. 
          The clock in the great hall struck one. BONG. 
          "Velcome!" boomed a voice behind him. 
          The boy looked around and saw three men at a card table. One had 
     a long, black cloak, one had a furry face, and one had a high, flat 
     head. 
          "Vould you care to join our game?" asked the man in the cloak. 
     "It's been so long since ve had anyvun to play vith." 
          "Certainly," said the boy, taking the fourth seat. "It will pass 
     the time while I'm waiting for the willies!" 
          "I vill explain the rules," said the cloaked man. "If my tall 
     friend vins, he vill crush you. If my furry friend vins, he vill rip 
     you to shreds. If I vin, I vill drink your blood. If you vin, ve vill 
     let you live." 
          "Sounds fair to me!" said the boy. 


