hall. I left my writing and went to the hall, and
found that the noise proceeded from the staircase,
but I could see nothing unusual.

"The staircase is one of those so often described
as being 'wide enough to drive a carriage and pair
up,' with massive oak posts and balustrades. The
walls are covered with tapestry, given to the
house by 'The Merry Monarch,' after his visit. An
oak chest or two, and some high-backed chairs on
the landings, picture to one a suitable habitation
for a ghost. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I had
no belief in ghosts, and commenced an
investigation of this extraordinary noise.

"Could it be rats, or mice, or owls? No; the noise
was ten times louder than could possibly proceed
from these creatures; besides, I knew there were
no rats in the house. The clever builder of the
house had filled all the space between the
ceilings and floors with silver sand, which
rendered it impossible for a rat or mouse to make
passages. To prick a hole in a ceiling is to have
a continuous stream of sand run down, as from an
hour-glass.

"The noise was repeated, but much louder (two
drum-sticks upon a large drum would not have made
more noise), and I was able to localize it, still
I could see nothing. I thought some one had fallen
on the stairs, and I shouted 'Who is there?' A
reply came 'Hush!'--first softly, and then very
loud--too loud for a human voice. As no person was
visible, I was puzzled, and went up-stairs by a
back staircase, and ascertained that none of my
family had left their bedrooms, and that certainly
no trick was being played me.

"The same rumbling, rolling sound was repeated;
and as I stood on the top of the great staircase,
I felt a little uncomfortable, but not frightened.
The noise seemed to proceed from a large carved
oak coffer or chest (as old as the house), which
stood on a landing, about half-way up the stairs.
I approached the chest, and from it appeared to
come again the word 'Hush!' Could it be the wind
whistling through a crack? No; it was far too loud