I began to fear he would not have sufficient sympathy with such an unreasoning state of mind to give me the attention and assistance I desired.

He saw the effect it had upon me and hastened to say: "The impression Mrs.Packard has made upon me was of a common-sense woman.

I'm sorry to hear that she is the victim of an hallucination.
What do you propose to do about it ?--for I see that you have some project in mind." Then I told him as much of my story as seemed necessary to obtain his advice and to secure his cooperation.

I confided to him my theory of the unexplainable sights and sounds which had so unfortunately aroused Mrs.
Packard's imagination, and what I had done so far to substantiate it.

I did not mention the bonds, nor tell him of Bess and her box, but led him to think that my experiments in the cellar had been the result of my discoveries in the side entrance.
He listened gravely--I hardly feel justified in saying with a surprise that was complimentary.