AN AWE-INSPIRING SIGHT 



be seen, and hoped that he would then think no more 

 about the matter. 



" ' Accordingly, the next night, after dinner and a smoke, 

 we adjourned to the " haunted chamber," and lighting 

 it up brilliantly, searched it again ; and then locking 

 the door and seeing the shutters were all closed and barred, 

 extinguished all the lights and took up our positions with 

 our backs to the only door. 



" ' Seated as we were, we faced the dead- wall at the far 

 end of the room where, in the left-hand corner, stood the 

 bedstead up against the wall, the windows being on our 

 right, and the verandah beyond them. We had sat, 

 watching in silence, for a couple of hours or more, but 

 finding it too great a strain, commenced talking in whispers 

 which gradually became insensibly louder, and were soon 

 discussing subjects quite unconnected with our present 

 purpose, which seemed to be forgotten. 



" c The clock in the passage had just struck eleven, and 

 all of us feeling sleepy, some one was suggesting our going 

 to bed, when suddenly a loud thumping, as of feet clad 

 in heavy boots, was heard in the verandah, coming in our 

 direction. 



" ' Reaching the door they stopped, but the next moment 

 were heard again, seemingly inside the room, going 

 towards the bedstead, then ceased again, and a second 

 or two later there came the sound as of a deep sigh or 

 groan. Meanwhile I had been trying to strike a match, 

 but in my hurry and excitement dropped the box, and 

 leaning down to pick it up, was groping in the dark, when 

 one of my companions cried out 



" ' " Good Heavens ! What is that ? " 



" ' I looked up at once, and there, in front of me, but 

 somewhat to my left, was a circle of bright light, and 

 within it, showing faintly, the outlines of a face, which, 

 from its position, I judged to be just above the bedstead. 



" ' I tried to cry out, but my voice seemed paralysed for 

 the time, my companions, too, were silent, though I guessed 

 from their deep breathing that they too had seen this 

 extraordinary apparition, and were apparently as terror- 

 stricken as myself. As I sat gazing in horrified amaze- 

 ment, without power of speech or action, the features on 



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