I am here instead of Mrs.Packard because it is she herself who is the present sufferer from the disagreeable experiences which attend life in the Franklin Street house." "Mrs.Packard ?" His tone betrayed a complete incredulity.

"Mrs.Packard?
a woman of such strong good sense! I think you must have been misled by some foolish attempt at humor on her part.

Does she know that you have come to me with this complaint ?" "She does not.

She is not in a condition to be consulted on the subject.
I am Mayor Packard's emissary.

He is very anxious about his wife." Then as Mr.Searles continued unmoved, I added in a straightforward manner, and with all the earnestness I felt: "Mrs.Packard believes herself to have come face to face with an undoubted specter in the library of the house they have rented from you.