The Ghost of Guir House

It was not until Mr. Henley had made another and longer visit to the

dark room that he became convinced beyond all doubt that the work of

sealing up the place had been done from within, and that there was,

and had been, no other outlet but that through which he had entered.

To suppose that the main wall of the house had been closed in at a

later period would be preposterous, and for manifest reasons. His

examination of the room's interior had been most thorough and

exhaustive. The place was smoothly plastered upon the inside, and

even the mason's trowel had been found upon the floor within, so that

it became at once evident that those who had done the work had been

self-immured. Although the reason for such an act was utterly beyond

his comprehension, Paul felt a certain satisfaction in having reached

this conclusion, as it showed the impossibility of Dorothy's being in

any way implicated in the affair. It seemed even possible that she

was ignorant of it. But this discovery in no wise lessened the

mystery; it rather increased it.

A few evenings after Paul's decision regarding the self-immurement of

those discovered in the vault, he and Ah Ben were again enjoying

their pipes by the great fireplace in the hall. The elder man was

generally disposed to conversation at this hour; and after Dorothy

had retired, Paul alluded to the strange scene he had witnessed

through the chimney, and expressed a desire to learn something of

occultism. Taking his long-stemmed pipe from his lips, the old man

gazed earnestly into the fire. He seemed to be thinking of what to

say, and to be drawing inspiration from the glowing embers and

dancing flames before him. At last he spoke: "Occultism, Mr. Henley, is difficult--nay, almost impossible--to

explain to a layman; or if explained, remains incomprehensible; and

yet a child may acquire its secrets by its individual efforts.

Spiritual power comes to those who seek it in proper mood, but,

injudiciously exercised, may cause insanity."

"Nevertheless," urged Paul, "if you won't consider me a trifler, I

should like to see a further manifestation of the power."

Ah Ben looked at him compassionately.

"Pardon me, Mr. Henley," he said, "but it is not always well to

gratify our curiosity upon such a subject; but if you seriously wish

it, and can believe in me as an honest and honorable custodian of the

power, and will prepare yourself for a serious mental shock, I will

show you something."

"Before proceeding," said Paul, "I should like to ask you a question.

Was the room I saw through the chimney a real room? I mean had it any

material existence upon earth?"