Not knowing from whence it proceeded, I stood undetermined what to do; but, just as the thunder boomed again, I heard a wild cry--undoubtedly proceeding from the Greek Room! Springing to the door, I threw it open. All was in darkness, but, as I entered, a vivid flash of lightning illuminated the place. I saw a sight which I can never forget. Grimsby lay flat upon the floor by the farther door. But, dreadful as that spectacle was, it scarce engaged my attention; nor did I waste a second glance upon the Athenean Harp, which lay close beside its empty case. For the figure of a woman, draped in flimsy white, was passing across the Greek Room! Grim fear took me by the throat, since I could not doubt that what I saw was a supernatural manifestation. Darkness followed. I heard a loud wailing cry and a sound as of a fall. Then Coram came running through the Greek Room. Trembling violently, I joined him; and together we stood looking down at Grimsby. “Good God!” whispered Coram; “this is awful. It cannot be the work of mortal hands! Poor Grimsby is dead!” “Did you--see--the woman?” I muttered. I will confess it: my courage had completely deserted me. He shook his head; but, as Beale came running to join us, glanced fearfully into the shadows of the Greek Room. The storm seemed to have passed, and, as we three frightened men stood around Grimsby’s recumbent body, we could almost hear the beating of each other’s hearts. Suddenly, giving a great start, Coram clutched my arm. “Listen!” he said. “What’s that?” I held my breath and listened. “It’s the thunder in the distance,” said Beale. “You are wrong,” I answered. “It is someone knocking at the hall entrance! There goes the bell, now!” Coram gave a sigh of relief. “Heavens!” he said; “I’ve no nerves left! Come on and see who it is.” The three of us, keeping very close together, passed quickly through the Greek Room and down into the hall. As the ringing continued, Coram unbolted the door--and there, on the steps, stood Moris Klaw! Some vague idea of his mission flashed through my mind. “You are too late!” I cried. “Grimsby has gone!” I saw a look of something like anger pass over his large pale features, and then he had darted past us and vanished up the stairs. V Having rebolted the door, we rejoined Moris Klaw in the Greek Room. He was kneeling beside Grimsby in the dim light--and Grimsby, his face ghastly pale, was sitting up and drinking from a flask! “I am in time!” said Moris Klaw. “He has only fainted!” “It was the ghost!” whispered the Scotland Yard man. “My God! I’m prepared for anything human--but when the lightning came and I saw that white thing--playing the harp----” Coram turned aside and was about to pick up the harp, which lay upon the floor near, when-- “Ah!” cried Moris Klaw, “do not touch it! It is death!” Coram started back as though he had been stung as Grimsby very unsteadily got upon his feet. “Turn up lights,” directed Moris Klaw, “and I will show you!”