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with the writing in his hand, who told ⟨him⟩, he was now come to demand him, and ⟨he⟩ must now go along with him; for to his ⟨knowledge⟩ he had paid his debts and done ⟨whatever⟩ was agreed to. The gentleman, ⟨wondering⟩ how he should know this so soon, ⟨denied⟩ it. Nay, replied he, fiercely, deny it ⟨not⟩, for I’ll not be cheated of my bargain: ⟨and⟩ thereupon changed into a horrible shape, ⟨struck⟩ him almost dead with fear, for now ⟨he⟩ perceived it was the devil. Then he told ⟨him⟩, if he did not meet on the morrow in ⟨the⟩ same place he had lent him the money, ⟨he⟩ would come the next day, and tear him ⟨to⟩ pieces; and says he, if I prove not what ⟨I⟩ say, you shall be quiet. And so vanished out of the window in a flash of flame, with horrible bellowings. The gentleman, seeing himself in this case, began to weep bitterly, and wished he had been contented in his sad condition, rather than have taken such a desperate way to enrich himself: and was almost at his wits end.
Friar Bacon, knowing by his art what had past, came to comfort him; and having heard the whole story, bid him not despair, but pray, and repent of his sins, and he would contrive to shew the devil a trick that should release him from his obligation. This greatly comforted the gentleman and he promised to do whatever the Friar should order him. Then
