< Ancient Theosophy (continued from page 3-133) >
on making inquiries he was told the story, which only rendered him more than ever anxious to hire the house. As evening closed in, he ordered a bed to be made up for himself in a front room, and called for writing materials and a light; then dismissed his attendants into the interior, and applied himself, mind, eye and hand, to the task of writing, that his brain might not be left free to conjure up the apparitions he had been told of, and torment him with idle fears. At first silence reigned supreme about him, is did everywhere else. Then there was a clash of iron and a shuffling of chains. So far, however, from lifting his eyes, or laying aside his peu, he redoubled attention to his work, and stopped his ears. The noise increased, and advanced nearer, until it seemed first at the door, and then in the chamber. He turned his head and saw a figure, which he recognized as the one described to him. It was standing beckoning with his finger, as if summoning him. He answered by a wave of the hand to wait a little, and resumed his writing. It proceeded to rattle the chains over his head. Then looking behind him again, and seeing it signalling as before, without further delay, he took up the candle, and followed it. The ghost walked slowly, as if encumbered by its chains; but after turning into the courtyard, it vanished suddenly, and left his companion alone. Finding himself thus he plucked some grass and leaves, and marked the spot The next day. he went before the magistrates, and advised them to order the place to be dug up. A skeleton was found entangled in a mass of chains, the body itself, from lying long in the ground, having rotted away, and left the bones, bare and mouldered, in the fetters. These were collected, and publicly buried; and the ghost having been duly laid, the house was haunted no more.
Waking Trances
...
Cabalism
...
<... continues on page 3-137 >
Editor's notes