Summary

In Chapter 20, Lockwood returns from the bathroom with a packet of magnesium flares. He had expected Mr. Fairfax to search their bags and had hidden the flares in the bathroom when they first arrived at Combe Carey Hall. George says Mr. Fairfax will likely sue them if they set fire to anything, but Lockwood says “No one's finding us stone dead on the floor” (278). He reveals six ordinary flares plus an industrial-sized flare that has been developed for cluster cases. They set up in the library because the abundance of iron means there are only a few weak apparitions there. They constantly discuss their observations as they take careful readings, including changes in temperature. Lucy tries to describe the deep, unnatural silence, saying she feels sure it is going to break. Lockwood says he can sense death-glows, but cannot yet see the actual...