have attempted
it. None have ever been left to tell the tale!"

"Indeed!" said my father advancing towards her. "I trust you will make
me an exception, however."

"Hold!" said she "nor dare come nigh to one, whose nature is so
different to thine own."

"Aye!" said my father "who then and what art thou?"

"Not flesh and blood as thou art; again I ask, rash mortal, why are
_thou_ here?"

"I remained this night, madam, in the hopes of meeting you, that I
might inform you that having purchased this property, I purpose
residing on it, at least six months of the year, consequently, I must
request you and your friends, supernatural or human, to quit the place
altogether."

"Many before," said she, "have tried, but vainly, to retain possession
and to attempt it would be fatal."

"Enough," said my father drawing a pistol from a belt under his coat,
"if you are really of a spiritual nature, my weapon will be harmless,
if you are not, the consequences be upon your own head." As he spoke
he pointed the pistol at her heart. With a courage worthy a better
cause, she darted by him and tried one or two of the wainscot panels
as if seeking a private spring, which Davy who, was fully awake by
this time perceiving, sprang up, and caught hold of her, grasping her
tightly; she wrestled with him with the strength of a lioness, and but
for papa's help, she must have escaped; he now fired the pistol at the
wainscot, to show her it really contained a slug, which he thought she
might doubt, and taking the fellow instrument from his pocket, told
her it was loaded like the other and that, unless she that moment
really and truly confessed who and what she was, and by whom employed,
her hours were numbered.

Trembling and almost gasping for breath, she fell on her knees and
implored mercy.

"It can be shown," said my father "only on one condition, a full
confession of every thing connected with your being here."

"But," faltered she, "if I do shall I be given up to _them_ and they
will surely kill me if I am."

"Tell the truth," said my father, "and if, as I judge from your last
words; you are the tool of others, you shall be protected, and if
deserving, or even repentant, shall be cared for: but stay," said he,
pouring out a glass of wine, "you are greatly agitated, take this and
then sit down. Now, if you will tell the truth, you may dismiss your
fears, and by making the only reparation in your power, a full
disclosure, you may al