Part 6

_February 9th, Tuesday._--Last night we--Miss Moore and I--heard the "explosive" noises about 11.30 P.M., and speculated as to the possibility of their being caused by the wind in the chimney. There was a little wind last night--very little. It is worth mentioning, that ever since we have been here the air has been phenomenally still. One can go outside, as we do frequently, to feed the birds and squirrels without hats and not feel a hair stirred. Even when the snow was on the ground we never felt the cold, owing to the absence of wind, and the thaw has been imperceptible. Snow is still on the hills. I have several times thrown open my bedroom window about dawn for an hour to familiarise myself with the outside noises. There is nothing human within a quarter of a mile. (_N.B._--The others, who are much more likely to be accurate as to distance than I, say the lodges are farther off.) The servants' houses are in a group of buildings on the hill above the house, but are, I believe, all empty. We found, and adopted, a deserted cat, whose condition certainly testified to the nakedness of the land. There are two inhabited lodges far out of hearing. A gardener comes round to the houses about 10 or 10.30 P.M., but we have watched him, and know exactly what sounds he creates.

_February 10th, Wednesday._--Mrs. W---- arrived this morning from London; also Miss Langton, who is "sensitive," but wholly inexperienced. In the evening, at 6 P.M., Colonel Taylor arrived. He is in No. 8.

Miss Moore and I moved back into No. 1, and moved Mr. F---- into No. 3, the room reported (by the H----s) as specially haunted, where Colonel A---- and Major B---- had slept, and in our time Mr. L---- F----, who left last night.

The wing is now ready for habitation, except that the pipes are out of order, and the "set-basins" useless, also the bath. (_N.B._--The fact that the pipes are all out of working order, and not a drop of hot water is to be had except in the kitchen, does away with a theory, which has been rather emphatically put forward, that "it is all the hot-water pipes.")

We are anxious to test the wing. Only one story, Miss "B----'s," is connected with it, and if there has been any practical joking anywhere, I personally incline to think that was the occasion. The wing is new, built, they say, in 1883, and the "ghost" showed human intelligence in selection of doors and victims. (After my return to London I had a conversation with Mrs. G----, which convinced me that I was mistaken in supposing that tricks had been played upon Miss "B----." See p. 71.)

An old woman in the village asked Miss Moore to-day with interest, "Hoo'll ye be liking B----?" She spoke of the hauntings, and her husband insisted (the Highlander always begins that way) that there were not any, and so on, and the old woman explained that it was just the young gentlemen last year that was having a lark. Later she admitted, "There's nae ghaists at B----, but the old Major" (who died about twenty years ago); "he'd just be saying to Gracie if she didn't do as she was told, that he'd be coming back and belay the decks" (_cf._ p. 136).

_P.S._--_Monday 15th._--In the kirkyard to-day at L---- we were shown the Major's grave. It is one of three, inclosed by a rough stone wall. They have no headstones, and seem quite uncared for. One is, we are informed, that of his housekeeper, Sarah N----. The other is said to be that of a black man-servant.

Last night we slept as follows:--

Room 1 and 2. Myself and Miss Moore. " 3. Mr. F----. " 4. Miss Langton. " 5. Mrs. W----. " 6 and 7. Empty. " 8. Colonel Taylor.

Miss Moore lay awake nearly the whole night. She heard, though in less degree, the old noises; and in the early morning (compare our first night) heard the sound of women's voices talking. When I awoke, about 6 A.M., she told me she had been disturbed, and said she feared that the others had also, as she had heard Mrs. W---- talking in Miss Langton's room.

At breakfast Mrs. W---- reported that she had been awakened by knockings, but had never moved. Miss Langton had heard nothing.

The Colonel reported that about, or just before, six he had heard footsteps over his head. There is no room over No. 8, which is mostly a built-out bow, and the servants had not moved before 6.30. (If they moved then, it was contrary to their habits!) We heard later that Hannah had gone, about 6.30, "in her stocking-feet, only without her stockings," to ask the time at the cook's door.

The Colonel (before our inquiries) had imitated the noise by stamping heavily with striding steps across the library.

_February 11th, Thursday._--The Colonel moved down into "Miss B----'s room" in the wing, and Mr. F---- into the room next to him.

_February 12th, Friday._--No phenomena. The great business to-day, which we had specially reserved for the Colonel's arrival, was the making of sketches and measurements for the plan of the house. We found no mysteries. The walls are immensely thick, but all the space is accounted for.

_February 13th, Saturday._--Miss Moore slept very badly again last night. She heard the noises at intervals between three and five; she was awake before and after. They were loudest and most frequent after four. At 5.30 I was awakened by a loud crash as of something falling very heavily on the floor above. The maids sleep there, but can give no account of any fall. Miss Moore, of course, heard it as, and when, I did.

Mrs. W---- reports having heard loud raps. She thinks the noise may have wakened her, but after she was awake enough to get a light and look at her watch (3.40) she heard what she describes as "a double knock."

_February 14th, Sunday._--Our first wet day. The weather so far has been perfect. We all got very wet coming from church.

In the evening we did various experiments--thought-transference, crystal gazing, &c.--but nothing came of it in regard to the house.

_February 15th, Monday._--Mr. F---- left early.

We all walked to the Parish Church, and had some talk with the sexton, and I had to listen to long yarns about the Major (see under date February 9th). I was tired, and could not go to the copse.

In the evening we played games, and were very lively. Miss Langton came into my room for a few minutes, and was certainly not in any nervous condition, nor did we speak of the hauntings. But this morning (Tuesday) at breakfast she reported having heard a loud crash almost directly after getting to her room. We considered possible causes, but could not discover that any one was moving in the house. The servants had gone to bed some time earlier, and we had put out the lights ourselves in the hall and on the stairs.

_February 16th, Tuesday._--I had an experience this morning which may have been purely subjective, but which should be recorded. About 10 A.M. I was writing in the library, face to light, back to fire. Mrs. W---- was in the room, and addressed me once or twice; but I was aware of not being responsive, as I was much occupied. I wrote on, and presently felt a distinct, but gentle, push against my chair. I thought it was the dog and looked down, but he was not there. I went on writing, and in a few minutes felt a push, firm and decided, against myself which moved me on my chair. I thought it was Mrs. W----, who, having spoken and obtained no answer, was reminding me of her presence. I looked backward with an exclamation--the room was empty. She came in directly, and called my attention to the dog, who was gazing intently from the hearthrug at the place where I had expected (before) to see him.

As the day began with the above, and I had had a quiet rest, I went to the copse at dusk. The moon was bright, and the twilight lingered. We waited about in the avenue to let it get darker, but it was still far from dark when we made our way up the glen--Miss Moore, Miss Langton, and myself.

I saw "Ishbel" and "Marget" in the old spot across the burn. "Ishbel" was on her knees in the attitude of weeping, "Marget" apparently reasoning with her in a low voice, to which "Ishbel" replied very occasionally. I could not hear what was said for the noise of the burn. We waited for perhaps ten or fifteen minutes. They had appeared when I had been there perhaps three or four.

When we regained the avenue (in silence) Miss Moore asked Miss Langton, "What did you see?" (She had been told nothing, except that the Colonel, who did not know details then, had said in her presence something about "a couple of nuns".) She said, "I saw nothing, but I heard a low talking." Questioned further, she said it seemed close behind. The glen is so narrow, that this might be quite consistent with what I saw and heard. Miss Moore heard a murmuring voice, and is quite certain it was not the burn. She is less suggestible than almost any one I know.

The dog ran up while we were there, pointed, and ran straight for the two women. He afterwards left us, and we found him barking in the glen. He is a dog who hardly ever barks. We went up among the trees where he was, and could find no cause.

Miss Moore and I moved into No. 8 (dressing-room No. 6). It is a "suspect" room, which I had not tried, and Miss Moore had scarcely slept all the week in No. 1, and was looking so worn out, that I decided to move.

_February 17th, Wednesday._--A most glorious day, still, bright, and sunny.

Nothing happened till evening. The Colonel, Mrs. W----, Miss Langton, Miss Moore, and I were in the drawing-room after dinner. Some of us, certainly the last four, heard footsteps overhead in No. 1, which is just now disused. I was lying on the sofa, and could not get up quickly: but Mrs. W---- and Miss Langton ran up at once, and found it empty and dark, and no one about.

Later, about 10.30, we all five heard the clang noise with which some of us are so familiar. The servants had gone to bed--or so we presumed, as all lights were out, except on the upper floor. It occurred four times. It is of course conceivable they may have made it, but we do not hear it when we know them to be about, and we do hear it when we know them not to be about.

The following quotation is from Miss Langton's private diary:--

"On the night of Wednesday, February 17th, I had a curious dream or vision. I seemed to be standing outside the door of No. 4, looking up the corridor to No. 2, when suddenly I saw a figure with his back to the door of No. 2, and quite close to the door which leads to No. 3. His face was quite distinct, and what struck me most was the curious way in which his hair grew on his temples. His eyes were very dark, keen, and deep-set; his face was pale, and with a drawn, haggard expression. He looked about thirty-nine years of age. His hair was dark and thick, and waved back from his forehead, where it was slightly grey. It was a most interesting and clever face, and one that would always, I should think, attract attention. He was dressed in a long black gown like a cassock, only with a short cape, barely reaching to the elbows."

A further reference to this vision, which at the time seemed irrelevant, will be found on page 225.

_February 18th, Thursday._--This morning's phenomenon is the most incomprehensible I have yet known. I heard the banging sounds after we were in bed last night. Early this morning, about 5.30, I was awakened by them. They continued for nearly an hour. Then another sound began _in_ the room. It might have been made by a very lively kitten jumping and pouncing, or even by a very large bird; there was a fluttering noise too. It was close, exactly opposite the bed. Miss Moore woke up, and we heard it going on till nearly eight o'clock. I drew up the blinds and opened the window wide. I sought all over the room, looking into cupboards and under furniture. We cannot guess at any possible explanation.

Further experience of these curious hallucinatory sounds, combined with visual hallucination in the same room, taking also into consideration the interest which our own dogs always displayed in these phenomena, led us to the conclusion that our first deductions had been wrong, and that the sounds were those of a dog gambolling.

(The Rev.) Mr. "Q." (an English vicar), arrived. In the evening, at 6.30, Miss Langton and I took him down to the glen. It was a very light evening. I saw the figure of Ishbel, not very distinctly, in conversation with the second figure, which was barely defined. We remained in perfect silence as usual. On regaining the avenue Miss L---- said she had heard voices, and thought she had seen what might be the white parts of the nun's dress. Mr. "Q." said he had seen a light under the big tree. The figures were nearer the tree than usual. Miss Langton went up a second time with the Colonel, and again heard voices.

It is worth remarking that Mr. "Q." has, doubtless from some idiosyncrasy, since developed a faculty of seeing lights where other people see phantasms.

_February 19th, Friday._--No phenomena last night. We have spent the day in A----, the neighbouring town, where I had a fall and hurt my foot, so that I was obliged to drive home, and could not go to the glen. Miss Langton and Mr. "Q." went down about seven o'clock. Mr. "Q." saw the outline of a figure of which he has written the description. Miss Langton heard the usual voices on the other side of the burn; they seemed to her to be interrupted by a third voice, in deeper tones; and she also heard the footsteps of a man passing behind her, a heavy tread, "not like a gentleman."

The following, the account referred to, was contained in a private letter from Mr. "Q." to Lord Bute. The description of Ishbel in the Journal of February 26th, was, it will be observed, of later date, although before Miss Freer had seen the following:--

"_February 19th and 20th, 1897._--I had heard only that Miss Freer had seen two figures by the burn, one of which was that of a nun, the other a woman, before whom, on one occasion, the nun appeared to be kneeling. I had always pictured the nun as standing or kneeling with her back to the spectator.

"On February 19th, at about 6.45 P.M., I visited the burn with Miss Langton (_and not Miss Freer_). After looking a little I saw (_a_); the white was very plain, and the head clearly outlined, but the vision was for the fraction of a second. I was conscious of it indistinctly for a few minutes, and there seemed a good deal of movement. Suddenly I was again conscious of the figure as shown in (_b_), full-face, as though gazing at me; again the white part was very distinct, but I could distinguish no features."

_February 20th, Saturday._--This morning we went down to ---- and had a little talk with the old servant who told us stories the other day about the Major, and she repeated the story of his threatened return. The same story was repeated independently this afternoon by [a local tradesman], who opened conversation by inquiring whether we had "seen the Major yet."

Miss Moore and I again this morning heard noises in No. 8, more especially those of the pattering footsteps, just after daylight, and a violent jump and scramble, which we thought was our dog, until we found that he was sleeping peacefully as usual on his rug at our feet.

In a letter to Lord Bute, dated February 21, 1897, Mr "Q." gives the following account:--

"On February 20th, at about 6.45 P.M., I visited the burn with Miss Freer and Miss Langton. I was very briefly conscious of the figure (_a_) on the bank of the burn, but saw no more till Miss Freer pointed to the hollow of a large tree, when I again saw (_b_). On each occasion of seeing (_b_) a curious sensation was noticeable, and I felt I was being looked at. On speaking afterwards to Miss Freer, I found her vision of the nun _under the tree_ to be the same as mine at (_b_), _i.e._ full face, as indeed Miss Freer had seen it on previous occasions. This is the second sketch I have drawn of the full face (_b_). The first I showed to Miss Freer, remarking to her, 'I have made the figure _too broad_' (being unaccustomed to drawing). 'Yes,' said Miss Freer, 'for the nun is very slight.'"

It was seen at the same moment also by Miss Freer and Miss Langton.

_February 21st, Sunday._--Again this morning we heard noises of pattering in No. 8, and Scamp got up and sat apparently watching something invisible to us, turning his head slowly as if following the movements of some person or thing across the room from west to east. During the night Miss Moore had heard footsteps crossing the room, as of an old or invalid man shuffling in slippers. We both heard a bang at the side of the room about 6.20, some time before any sounds of moving were heard from the servants above. The noise was muffled in quality, and had no resonance, and seemed to come from behind a small wardrobe on the east wall. The room (No. 7) on that side was unoccupied. [This bang was heard at other times in the same spot. Experiment showed that no noise made in No. 7 was audible in No. 8, not even hammering with a poker on the wall, which is curved at this point.]

This morning, on coming out of church, I received a letter from Mr. F----, in which was the following passage:--

"... Miss H----, who slept, I believe, in the room occupied by you when I left, heard sounds of footsteps going round her room, footsteps with the most unmistakable limp in them. Shortly after she heard stories connected with the former owner, who used to go by the name of B----, an aged man [the Major]. She asked if he could be described. 'No,' said her informant; 'the only thing he could remember about him was that he had a most peculiar limp,' and he forthwith gave an exhibition, which tallied exactly with the limp around the bed."

In discussing this, Miss Moore and I agreed that, had Miss H---- slept in No. 8 instead of in No. 1, as Mr. F---- supposed, we should have considered these limping sounds as probably identical with those we ourselves had heard. After I had closed my reply to Mr. F----, Miss Moore discovered Miss "B----'s" plan of the house (in the packet of evidence of the H----s' tenancy, see p. 96), which showed that in fact No. 8 _was_ the room referred to. Hence it appears that the room in which Miss H---- heard the footsteps was the same as that in which _we_ heard them. We had been misled by Mr. F---- speaking of "the room you occupied when I left," a mistake on his part, as, though the change had been spoken of, we had not left No. 1.

This afternoon Miss Langton experimented with Ouija at Mr. "Q.'s" request.

Lord Bute had suggested various test-questions in relation to the phantasm of the nun, to be asked the next time the Ouija board was in operation, and answers to these were attempted at various times, with the usual result of showing the influence, conscious or sub-conscious, of the sitters, almost all statements as to matters not actually known to them being worthless. On this occasion, however, in reply to the question, "How old was Ishbel when she died?" answers were spelt out to the effect that she was still living, and that her age was fifty-nine.

This may perhaps be taken as throwing light upon the intended personality of Ishbel, and supplying a possible clue to the identity of the mind of which she seems to be an imaginary creation.

Fifty-nine was the age of the late Rev. Mother Frances Helen in the year 1873, when Sarah N---- died. They are not people who are at all likely to have met each other upon "the other side" any more than upon this.

It is a generally recognised fact that the conditions which we call "time and space" exist on in the world beyond in a form so very different from those in which they are conceived of by us, that from our point of view they can hardly be said to exist at all. It is natural, therefore, to seek the utterer of this remarkable statement in some person connected with B---- who did not know the late Mother Frances Helen (supposing her to be the person for whom Ishbel was intended), but had heard of her.

_February 22nd, Monday._--Mr. "Z----" _came_.

The whole matter of the inquiry had been made known to Mr. "Z----," the proprietor of a prominent Scottish newspaper, of course in the strictest confidence, which was carefully made a condition of the admission of any one to the house, a confidence which he most honourably observed. It was arranged that if anything occurred within the observation of himself or his son, the scientific value of which rendered it, in their judgment, desirable to publish a notice of it in _The ----_, the notice should be published under avowedly false names and geographical indications. Mr. "Z----" was unable to come himself, but his son arrived this day.

Mr. "Endell" (a Member of the S.P.R.) arrived while we were out, and made a tour of inspection alone of the outside of the house and the ground-floor rooms. He intuitively fixed on the window of No. 3 as that of a "haunted" room, and has since, equally by intuition, diagnosed the drawing-room and library as "creepy," and the dining-room as definitely cheerful. (This coincides with our experience.)

My own experiences to-day were confined to ejection from a high waggonette, while waiting at the station for Mr. "Z----," the horse having bolted at the appearance of the train.

No phenomena. We are putting Mr. "Z----", at his own request, in No. 3, the "ghost-room."

_February 23rd, Tuesday._--Pouring wet. No phenomena. Visit to glen impossible.

Mr. and Mrs. R---- (local residents) came to lunch. Though in great pain I was able to see them for a few minutes, and both inquired whether we had had any experience of the reported hauntings, of which, however, they could give us no details.

_February 24th, Wednesday._--Mr. "Z----" left early. (_N.B._--No phenomena reported by any one during his visit; he himself slept soundly in the "haunted" room, but does it the justice to acknowledge that he "could sleep through an earthquake.")

Miss "N." (the daughter of a landowner of the district) arrived.

Mr. Garford (an old friend and excellent observer) came from London. We sleep to-night as follows:--

In the wing, in the two rooms alleged by guests of the H----s to be haunted, the Colonel and Mr. "Endell."

No. 1. Mr. Garford. " 3. Mr. "Q." ("ghost-room"; he has just asked to be removed from his former room in the wing). " 4. Miss Langton. " 5. Mrs. W----. " 7. Miss "N." " 8. Miss Moore, myself, and dog.

_February 25th, Thursday._--Mr. "Endell" reported this morning having heard a sound he could in no way account for, which seems to us to correspond with the "clanging" noise. We asked how he would imitate it as to volume and quality, and he said that a large iron kettle, about the size of the dinner-table (we are dining eight), boiling violently, so that the lid was constantly "wobbling," might produce it.

(_N.B._--Mr. "Endell's" opinion later is that a pavior's crowbar heavily dropped, so as to produce a prolonged reverberation, is a better illustration.)