days after the wedding, as Melissa was sitting with Alonzo, Edgar
and her parents, she asked her father whether the old mansion was
inhabited.

"Not by human beings, he replied.----Since it has fallen into my hands I
have leased it to three or four different families, who all left it
under the foolish pretence or impression of hearing noises and seeing
frightful objects, and such is the superstition of the people that no
one now, will venture to try it again, though I suppose its inhabitants
to consist only of rats and mice."

Melissa then informed them of all that had happened when she was there,
the alarming noises and horrible appearances she had been witness to,
and in which she was confident her senses had not deceived her.
Exceedingly astonished at her relation; it was agreed that Edgar and
Alonzo, properly attended, should proceed to the mansion, in order to
find whether any discoveries could be made which might tend to the
elucidation of so mysterious an affair.

For this purpose they chose twenty men, armed them with muskets and
swords, and proceeded to the place, where they arrived in the dusk of
the evening, having chosen that season as the most favourable to their
designs.

They found the drawbridge up, and the gate locked, as Edgar's father
said he had left them. They entered and secured them in the same manner.
When they came to the house, they cautiously unlocked the door, and
proceeded to the chamber, where they struck a fire and lighted candles,
which they had brought with them. It was then agreed to plant fifteen of
the men at suitable distances around the mansion, and retain five in the
chamber with Alonzo and Edgar.

The men, who were placed around the house, were stationed behind trees,
stumps or rocks, and where no object presented, lay flat on the ground,
with orders not to stir, or discover themselves, let what would ensue,
unless some alarm should be given from the house.

Alonzo and Edgar were armed with pistols and side arms, and posted
themselves with the five men in the chamber, taking care that the lights
should not shine against the window shutters, so that nothing could be
discovered from without. Things thus arranged, they observed almost an
implicit silence, no one being allowed to speak, except in a low
whisper.

For a long time no sound was heard except the hollow roar of winds in
the neighbouring forest, their whistling around the angles of the
mansion, or the hoarse murmer