you.  She related the circumstances to her husband and to myself this very morning.  It occurred, according to her story, several days ago; meantime her manner and appearance have shown a great change.  Mayor Packard is not the only one who has noticed it.  The whole household has been struck by her condition, though no one knew its cause until to-day.  Of course, we do not believe in the specter; that was pure hallucination on her part.  This we no more doubt than you do.”

“Then what do you want here?” he asked, after a moment of harsh scrutiny.

“Proof which will convince her that it was an hallucination and without the least basis in any spiritual fact,” I returned.  “If you will give me a few minutes of your time, I will explain just what I mean and also make known to you my wishes.  I can wait till you have finished your business with the gentlemen I see over there.”

He honored me with a look, which for the first time showed any appreciation of my feelings, and pushing open a door near by, called out to some one within: 

“Here, Robinson, talk with this lady.  Her business is not in my line.”  Then, turning to me with a quick, “Step in, Madam,” he left me with the greatest abruptness and hurried back to the gentlemen awaiting him on the other side of the room.

I was considerably taken aback by this move, but knew no other course than to enter the room he had pointed out and pursue my conversation with whomever I should find there.

Alas! the gentleman who rose at my entrance was also one of the tall, thin and nervous type.  But he was not without heart, like the other, as was soon made apparent to me.  Very few human faces are plainer than the one I now searched for the encouragement of which I stood in such sore need, but also very few faces, handsome or otherwise, have the attraction of so pleasant a smile.  Its affable greeting was followed by the hasty pushing forward of a chair and a kind inquiry as to what he could do for me.

My answer woke an immediate interest.  “My name is Saunders,” I said.  “I am at present an inmate of Mayor Packard’s house—­a house belonging to Mr. Searles, and one which has its drawbacks.”

The meaning look with which I uttered the last sentence called forth an answering one.  A flash of excitement broke over his features and he cast a quick glance at the door which fortunately had swung to at my entrance.

“Has—­have they—­has anything of a disagreeable nature happened to any one in this house?” he asked with ill-concealed perturbation.  “I did not expect it during their tenantry, but if such has occurred, I am obliged to Mrs. Packard for letting me know.  She promised to, you see, and—­”

“She promised!” I cried.

“Yes; in joke no doubt, being at the time in a very incredulous state of mind.  She vowed that she would let me know the very day she saw the lights or encountered anything in the house, which could be construed into a spiritual visitation.  Has such a manifestation occurred?” he eagerly inquired.  “Has it? has it?  Am I to add her name to the list of those who have found the house uninhabitable?”