MYSTERY OF A SKELETON.

North Otago Times, 6 September 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

MYSTERY OF A SKELETON.

-."•.■ Y . GHOSTLY FOOTSTEPS IN AN OLD MANOR HOL'SE, Picturesquely situated on tlie bunks of the wide, flowing' Riier Niilil, hi the quaint littlo town of Knaresborough, in Yorkshire, is one of the most ancient domestic edifices in England, It is a curious building, composed of many gables, and is half Umbered, the oldest parts of the Bli'iiotiii'i' dating back to the year 1238. Rich and beautiful though the oaken panels and cnrvcdMiianilepieces are in the various rooms, yet another interest attaches to this old-ivorld dwelling at the present time-u wicrd uncanny linking of the present to the past. For a mystery surrounds it! During some necessary repairs and excavations, the skeleton and skull of a woman were laid bare, where they had evidently long lay buried, at the bottom of the stairs, Since the alterations, noises have often been heard during the hours of night stealthy footsteps havo passed along the passage outside the Blue Room, in which the occupier and his wife formerly slept. A door with a spring arrangement conceals a hiding-place in the wall of this chamber, where, in troublous days, the p,ricsts could secrete themselves.

It is alleged/that tho door of this, room unaccountably opens during tho night; and that it is past nil efforts to keep It closed. It has been locked and a chair placed against it; but, in spite of all precautions, the following morning it has still been found open. Though the owner no longer sleeps in this Blue Room, the steps are, it is said, still audible, and in addition to these, one nigllit there was a bump at another door sufficiently loud to arouse the ordinary sleeper. Though none of the household appear to be at all nervous, and do not believe in tho visitations of ghosts from the unseen, it is remarkable that after a long residence in the quaint old dwelling, there seems to be no tangible cluu whereby the mystery can be solved.