And all this while the black-robed woman stood holding my eyes with her fixed and burning gaze, and pointing to the spot on the floor. Then, letting her arm fall slowly to her side, she passed, in measured steps, from the room, and through the door that swung to, gradually, and closed behind her. Again I essayed to cry out, but the spell was still upon me, and no sound escaped my paralyzed lips. While lying thus, I heard once more the recoiling click of a lock, and the swing of a door upon its hinges; but this time it was not our own but another door--that of the opposite chamber, where my brother and his friend slept. "Who's there?" I heard John call out, in no pleasant voice, and seeming evidently annoyed at the disturbance. There was no answer. "Who's there?" he repeated. No answer. "Who's there?" Continued silence. "Phlit!" No reply. "Phlit!" No reply. "Phlit!" Dead silence. "Jet! Is that you?" The silence of the grave continued; until at last the calling of my brother awoke his companion in the other bed. "What is the matter, John?" I heard him ask. "Why, some one has unlocked our door and entered, and I can't make them speak; but shoot me if I don't find them out!" said my brother, jumping out of bed and beginning to strike a light. "You have been dreaming." "Have I? Look there, then!" "Well, I see the door is open; but you probably forgot to lock it." "I'll make sure of it now, then," said John, banging the door violently, locking it with a resonant force and proceeding to search for the supposed intruder. Of course the search was fruitless, and, with many grumbles and threats, he went back to bed. My brother had not seen the supernatural visitant to his room, who, go where she might, appeared only to me. While turning these things over in my mind, again I heard John's lock turn and his door swing open, and almost simultaneously his voice called out: "What the demon does this mean? Who are you then?" as he jumped out of bed, relocked the door, struck a light and proceeded once more vainly to examine the room. "Well, this is certainly the most inexplicable thing I ever knew in my life!" exclaimed John, with an intonation between astonishment and indignation. "Oh! I really suppose you did not lock the door properly," replied Howard, getting up and going to ascertain the state of the case. And I heard him unlock and lock the door several times, and finally locking it fast, he said: "There! now I will guarantee that it will stay shut!" and went back to his couch. I do not think that more than fifteen minutes had passed before I heard, for the third time, their lock fly back and their door swing open. "By Jupiter! This is past belief!" exclaimed Mr. Howard, while my brother, without speaking, jumped out of bed and struck a light.