SOURCE: "The Story of Baelbrow" by E. & H. Heron (Real Ghost Stories, 1898) .

DESCRIPTION: " 'First of all, our original ghost was a mere misty presence, rather guessed at from vague sounds and shadows -- now we have something that is tangible, and that can, as we have proof, kill with fright. Next Jungvort declares the thing was a narrow, long and distinctly armless object, while Miss Jungvort has not only seen the arm and hand of a human being, but saw them clearly enough to tell us that the nails were gleaming and the arm bandaged. She also felt its strength. Jungvort, on the other hand, maintained that it clicked along like a dog -- you bear out this description with the additional information that it sniffs like a wild beast. Now what can this thing be? It is capable of being seen, smelt, and felt, yet it hides itself successfully in a room where there is no cavity or space sufficient to afford covert to a cat! You still tell me that you believe that you can explain?'" ("The Story of Baelbrow" by E. & H. Heron)

NOTES: The Baelbrow ghost is actually the spirit of a vampire. The creature dwelled in Baelbrow for decades without hurting anyone, only making its presence known through a swish of air or a cold feeling. When Swaffam Sr. sent home a mummy from Egypt and Swaffam Jr. opened it out of curiosity the spirit had a physical vehicle to use. Now clothed in a body the vampire began attacking victims, draining them of blood. Flaxman Low figured out the course of events and Swaffam Jr. destroyed the mummy, first shooting it then burning it in a canoe.

HISTORY: The Flaxman Low stories were actually written by Katherine and Hesketh Prichard, a mother and son team. The Low stories were modeled on Sherlock Holmes, with the solutions to the mysteries equally supernatural and natural. You have to read to the end to find which it is. The Pritchards deserve points for using a ghost, a vampire and a mummy all in the same story. For more on Flaxman Low go to The Ghostbreakers website.

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