Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
A SUMMONS FROM THE DEAD
The Murder in the Old Chateau and How it
Was Strangely Revealed.
Murray s Magazine

The Murder in the Old Chateau and How it
Was Strangely Revealed.
Nurrays Magazine.
The following story was told me by a
lady. She was the wife of rich squire
in the east of England, after whose death
she married will known italian. She
was a woman of remarkable ability and
of great information, though somewhat
eccentric. She had heard the story,
with dates and names of persons. These
she had forgotten, and had never been
able to supply them.
She declared, however, that she was
positively assured that all the details ha d
been verified by the French public au-
thorities where the events related oc-
Cured, and that the records still exist
cd some where, if the place could only be
found.
During their journey on horseback 80
northern port of France, where vessel
awaited them, they were on one Oc-
casion benighGed in the middle of wide
health
Riding slowly forward they preceived a
light from what turned out to be a
large and solitary chateau. After some
knocking steps were slowly heard com
ing in the yard within, and at last the
door was cautiously unlocked. A porter
or caretaker peered through the narrow
opening and asked the reason of the
knocking.
eve have lost our way and are tired
and hungry. We require shelter and food
for ourselves and our horses"
'Impossi5le!" was the cherish reply
and the door was about to be closed when
one Of the travellers Intercepted it with
his foot and producing pistol, said:
ave are quite ready TO pay for lodging
and supper, but we cannot go farther to-
night"
The caretaker paused for a moment as
though rejecting, and at last he said:
81 will give you shelter for the night
and food for yourselves and your beasts
on one condition, viz, that you give me
your wor of honor as gentle men, which [
am sure that you are, that nothing will
induce GU TO leave the room | give you,
and that 10 morrow at daybreak you go
on your journey without asking any ques
tions."
The promise given, the door was open
ed, and the horses taken to the stables,
which were within the court. The porter
then led the two travellers up splendid
staircase and through a long corridor
hung with tapestry, at length turning into
a large, empty room furnished as a draw
ing room and evidently belonging to the
dwelling of a wealthy noble.
Near the door was large fireplace in
which fire soon blazed. Candles were
lighted, and the travellers saw two large
and luxurious beds, with rich hangings,
one nearer TO the entrance than the other.
4 table was placed near the fire, and be-
substantial
brought, the utensils supplied for the
meal, and all the belongings of the house
showing considerable luxury.
After eating their supper the two trav-
elers went TO rest. The eldest took the
bed nearest the door, leaving the other, at
some feet off, to his companion. Logs
had been placed on the Gre suffisient for
the night, the door was locked, and the
wayfarers gladly betook themselves TO
sleep.
About al hour after going TO sleep the
elder suddenly awoke, starting IN his bed.
He could not account for his sudden wax
ing. The room was strongly lighted by
the fire, there was no noise, and Count A.
was about to lay himself once again on
the pillow, when remarkable sight met
him. A man with a striking appearance,
WIN a gray O6aCu, out dressed IN a blouse,
walked slowly towards the bed. When he
had approached within few feet he
bsckoned three times to the Count, as
though wanting him TO follow.
The Count gazed at him without NOV
ing, when the figure, bowling courteously,
turned round and walked slowly away,
stopping from time to time and looking
back, repeating his reckoning gestures
with an imploring gaze till he reached the
door, when he disappeared. Naturally
startled at this unusual appearance,
Count A. rose from his bed and walked tn
the door to see if it had been tempered
with, but it was still locked. Very weary
he returned to his bed and once more fell
asleep. About an hour later he sgain
started in the same manner. Again he
saw the same figure, this time nearer the
bed. Again did it beckon him to follow,
and moving towards the door turned with
great eagerness and still oftener than be-
fore to repeat the same motion with his
hand. The hand was that of gentleman,
small and white, and with ring on one
of the fingers.
Frightened at this extraordinary APP
partition, Count A. this time woke his COM
panion and narrated what had passed.
Nonsense" replied the latter, syo1 ate
too much supper and have been awakened
by nightmare. am really to tired to
talk about it."