afterlife as an untouchable realm , if they believe in it at all . I do not believe — I know .”
He said no more , so I asked , “ How many spirits haunt Kettering Hall ?”
He mused . “ That I cannot say . My grandfather insisted that his father walked the lower gallery , and my mother spoke of gossamer figures monthly . My great uncle Fitzhugh complained of incessant bell tolling on stormy nights . Others have mentioned source-less bells and chimes , as well . As a youth I saw and heard nothing . Things change in the course of a man ’ s life , though . Terrible things happen , and sometimes one never recovers .”
Lord Kettering crushed out a half-smoked cigar as Jeffries entered .
The butler whispered to his master , “ You look very tired , sir .”
It was true . Kettering ’ s hair seemed to shimmer with more silver highlights than earlier , and the lines of his mouth and eyes had deepened . The chandelier light might have been playing tricks , but the lord of the manor nodded . “ We shall talk more tomorrow . Jeffries , please show our guest back to his room and see if he needs anything .”
I was surprised to have been promised so much and told so little , but tomorrow would bring another opportunity . I returned to my spacious quarters and soon
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