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direction and purpose of his periodical journey he remained steadily silent；
but it was well understood that he was then in attendance on his
unfortunate patron。 At length； on his return from one of these visits； his
grave countenance； and deep mourning dress； announced to the Ellieslaw
family that their benefactor was no more。 Sir Edward's death made no
addition to their fortune； for he had divested himself of his property during
his lifetime； and chiefly in their favour。 Ratcliffe； his sole confidant； died
at a good old age； but without ever naming the place to which his master
had finally retired； or the manner of his death； or the place of his burial。
It was supposed that on all these particulars his patron had enjoined him
strict secrecy。
The sudden disappearance of Elshie from his extraordinary hermitage
corroborated the reports which the common people had spread concerning
him。 Many believed that； having ventured to enter a consecrated
building； contrary to his paction with the Evil One； he had been bodily
carried off while on his return to his cottage； but most are of opinion that
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THE BLACK DWARF
he only disappeared for a season； and continues to be seen from time to
time among the hills。 And retaining； according to custom； a more vivid
recollection of his wild and desperate language； than of the benevolent
tendency of most of his actions； he is usually identified with the malignant
demon called the Man of the Moors； whose feats were quoted by Mrs。
Elliot to her grandsons； and； accordingly； is generally represented as
bewitching the sheep； causing the ewes to KEB； that is； to cast their lambs；
or seen loosening the impending wreath of snow to precipitate its weight
on such as take shelter； during the storm； beneath the bank of a torrent； or
under the shelter of a deep glen。 In short； the evils most dreaded and
deprecated by the inhabitants of that pastoral country； are ascribed to the
agency of the BLACK DWARF。
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