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At the hospital, despite his verbal threatening should I make a return visit, Dr. Ashden gave quite a chase. I eventually caught up with the fellow having hidden himself behind a tool shed amongst the well tended grounds, puffing frantically on a cigar to ease his excited state. He was in no mood to continue the chase and after some discussion I was able to extract from him the story of the dog and I have little concern as to the tale’s validity. Dr. Ashden is oblivious of the dog’s origins and is insistent that it simply started to appear not long after Mrs. Marshmoor’s admittance. It comes, then it goes, he said.

“Have you followed it to determine its destination?” I asked.

“I have not and I will not!” Exclaimed Ashden sporting a paled expression of terror at the very prospect, following which I could retrieve nothing further of use from the man. It was as though he were terrified for his self at the prospect of divulging information.

Returning to the room of Mrs. Marshmoor, the dog predictably appeared as before. I wished to have observed its approach from outside the room, but the extended time dealing with Dr. Ashden foiled such plans. I was, however, able to follow the creature as it left.

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Part one of this case can be found here

I tussled with my urge to experience the touch of this creature for myself, to feel the warmth - or otherwise - of its alleged unearthly body under my hand as did Mrs. Marshmoor. But in fear of having the creature run off and diminishing the obvious benefit to Mrs. Marshmoor’s well being, I decided at this time to remain an observer.

Fifteen minutes after it had arrived, the creature departed as though it had been summoned back by its master. Its ears pricked and its head turned to the room’s exit as if hearing a command (there was nothing audible to myself, however it is known that canines have the ability to hear sounds man cannot). Acknowledging the apparent signal and wish of the creature to leave, Mrs. Marshmoor removed her hand from its head and if immediately moved off, offering me the briefest glance of curiosity as it left the room. Mrs. Marshmoor’s subsequent state of mind allowed her to drift into a serene sleep.

I thought the better of chasing after it on this occasion, already planning to make at least one return visit to experience the visitation.

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Date: Saturday, March 14, 1896
Location: Ealing, West London

It was without warning that I received notice of Mrs. Marshmoor’s illness less than two weeks before she passed from this life.

Mrs. Marshmoor’s bearing of a child had developed a number of complications (I shall not impart the details for it is irrelevant to this account). It was late into her term and it was without question that both she and the unborn would most likely perish during the labour. I should point out that at this time I had very little in the way of communication with Mrs. Marshmoor, being a long time acquaintance of her husband, Abelard Marshmoor (a man whom I have found to possess utmost integrity despite a position in local government).

The notice of Mrs. Marshmoor’s imminent departure was accompanied by an intriguing post script:

P.S. It is beyond all belief and understanding and all that is known within the world, but for the past ten days Florence has on occasion been visited by Reginald, a trusted Irish Wolfhound whom we lost not six weeks past. I have seen the dear animal myself sitting at my wife’s side and offering her comfort through his presence. I do not know what to make of it.

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