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
her nerves; for she was certainly suffering from some nervous trouble.
As to the sounds and movements of objects, he could not account for
them, but thought if she became strong again they would cease.

In the morning the doctor called as he had promised, and was much
surprised to see Esther up and dressed, helping Olive to wash the
dishes. She told him that she felt all right again, only she was so
nervous that any sudden noise made her jump. Having occasion to go down
into the cellar with a pan of milk, she came running up, out of breath,
exclaiming that there was some one down in the cellar, for a piece of
plank had been thrown at her. The doctor went down to see for himself,
Esther remaining in the dining room; for it must be borne in mind that
the cellar door opens into the dining room. In a moment he came up again
remarking that there was nobody down there to throw a piece of plank,
nor anything else.

"Esther, come down with me," said he. So down they both went, when, to
their great surprise, several potatoes came flying at their heads. That
was enough. They both beat a hasty retreat. The doctor left the house,
and called again in the evening, with several very powerful