but failed to ascertain what caused the sounds. When he walked to the
door the sounds followed him, being now produced on the floor of the
room. In about a minute after this, off went the bed clothes again, and
before they had been put back on the bed, the sound as of some person
writing on the wall with a sharp instrument was heard. All looked at the
wall whence the sound of writing came, when to their great astonishment
there was seen written, near the head of the bed, in large characters,
these words: "Esther Cox, you are mine to kill." Everybody could see the
writing plainly, and yet only a moment before nothing was to be seen but
the blank wall.

The reader can imagine their utter amazement at what had just taken
place. There they stood around the bed of this wonderful girl, each
watching the other to see that there was no deception. They knew these
marvellous things had taken place, for all heard them with their own
ears and beheld them with their own eyes. Still, they could not believe
their own senses, it was all so strange. But the writing on the
wall--what did it mean, and how came it there? God only knew.

As Doctor Caritte stood in the doorway for a moment wondering to himself
what it all meant, a large piece of plaster came flying from the wall of
the room, having in its flight turned a corner and fallen at his feet.
The good doctor picked it up mechanically and placed it on a chair. He
was too astonished to speak. Just as he did so, the poundings commenced
again with redoubled power, this time shaking the entire room. It must
be remembered that during all this time Esther lay upon the bed, almost
frightened to death by what was occurring. After this state of things
had continued for about two hours, everything became quiet and she went
to sleep. The doctor said he would not give her any medicine until the
next morning, when he would call at nine and give her something to quiet