Dr. Watson

Oh, really?

And the servants have always sworn the ghost rarely did walk at midnight on the day that he was hanged.

Indeed.

Now, sir, I suggest that you tell us what problem brought you here.

The ghost is walking again, Mr. Holmes.

You know what that means.

According to the legend, the present Earl will die.

Exactly.

And as I'm the present Earl, you can see why I'm rather worried.

Am I to understand that you've actually seen this ghost yourself?

Yes, Mr. Holmes.

The night before last, Betty, or that is, Miss Nolan and I, were sitting in the dining hall in front of the fire when we heard a strange sound up in the musicians' gallery.

We looked up, and in the moonlight saw a ghostly figure in armor, limping towards the staircase.

Oh, gracious me.

My dear sir, you're certain that you really saw it?

Moonlight can play strange tricks, you know.

There wasn't any doubt about it, doctor.

We both saw and heard it.

What did you do?

I started to go towards the stairs, but as I did so, Betty screamed and then tumbled to the floor in a heap.