The apparition, however, rapidly glided up the stairs and was soon lost to sight.

Such are the main facts of the story, none of which I contradicted at the time.
[Illustration] [Illustration] I cannot say absolutely that I can clear up this mystery, but my suspicions are confirmed by a good deal of circumstantial evidence.

This will not be understood unless I explain my strange infirmity.

Wherever I went I used to be troubled with a presentiment that I had left my pipe behind.

Often, even at the dinner-table, I paused in the middle of a sentence as if stricken with sudden pain.