If only Mr.
Searles should prove to be an approachable man! I had never seen him or heard him spoken of, or I should not have encouraged myself with this hope.

At my first glimpse of his tall, gaunt figure, hard features, and brisk impatient movements, I knew that my wit and equanimity would be put to their full test in the interview.
He was engaged, at my entrance, in some harsh dispute with a couple of other men, but came forward quickly enough when he saw me.

Recognizing at once that any attempt at ingratiation would fail with this man, I entered at once upon my errand by asking a question direct enough to command his attention, if it did not insure the desired reply.
"Mr.Searles, when you purchased the house on Franklin Street, did you know enough about it to have an answer ready for any one who might declare it haunted ?" The abruptness of the attack produced its effect.

Annoyance swept every hint of patience from face and manner, and he exclaimed in a tone which conveyed, only too openly, how disagreeable the subject was to him.
"Again!" I smiled.

It would not do to show how much I felt the total lack of sympathy in his manner.
"You will have trouble," said I, "until it is proved that the occurrences which have provoked this report have a very natural and quite human source." He stopped in his nervous fidgeting and gave me a quick hard look.
"Who are you ?" he asked, "and why has Mrs.Packard made you her messenger instead of coming herself ?" "I am her companion, engaged by Mayor Packard to stay with her during his contemplated absence.