It is others who have labeled me “ghost hunter”. For myself, I am an investigator of the unknown and I reveal truth where there is, I am saddened to say, far too much trickery and charlatanism. Here I lay out the required qualities of a good ghosthunter.

1. Integrity.

Above all, truth must be permitted to prevail and at no time should the investigator offer the opportunity for his personal emotional motivations to taint the evidence being examined. There is no room for belief, merely sound logical conclusions from clear, empirical evidence.

2. Tuned senses

Each of the five senses - for there are but five - must be finely tuned for they will certainly be required at every junction. No manner of instrument can replace the human senses. Let the instruments verify and record while one’s senses communicate the true nature of one’s environment.

3. A gentleman

It is a known fact the very nature of the female constitution is incompatible with the exploration of the unknown. Squeals of fright, excitement and the constant danger of feinting all give rise to greater concern for the woman than for the nature of the investigation. This is a most unfortunate circumstance as it is frequently the case that a woman herself is the very focus of said investigation.

4. Knowledge of science

One may not simply take to the high street to purchase all that is required within the ghost hunter’s arsenal of measuring, test, and defensive tools. One must design such implements and have the necessary means to have them expertly manufactured to an exacting standard. Measurements are meaningless without implicit trust in the accuracy of the tool being used. I mention defensive implements for it is my experience that the charlatan can become physically violent at the ultimate realisation she is about to be exposed.

5. An understanding of deception

One must understand the nature of one’s opponent and the ghost hunter’s most commonly encountered opponent is the deceiver. I have experienced all manner of events - some of which, I will admit, defy explanation within the bounds of scientific understanding at this time - most of which have been revealed to be deliberate deceptions on the part of some person or persons. it is only through becoming learned in the vocabulary of the deceiver that one can reveal the deception.

With such qualities - and yet more - the ghost hunter may find himself revealing the truth of the matters to which he is called to investigate. Without them, he is nothing more than the charlatans he pretends to expose.

Read part one of this case
Read part two

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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The number of exorcisms have, in recent years, reduced in frequency. This may partly be a result of the current once again increasing obsession with matters paranormal, and a sensitivity toward the entity being exorcised.

Take this account by ‘T’ over at Mostly Safe for Work. Although they have not alluded to the realisation, it is clear that the subject entity has indeed been subjected to an exorcism of sorts, though not one of religious nature.

The text tells of the ghost “living in my downstairs bedroom” which is an intriguing choice of words. Later the spirit is given visual attributes in order to solidify its presence within the real world. It is this application of phsysiological attributes to which our minds are inexorably and instinctively drawn. Of a similar process is the need to assign physical attributes to the plethora of superior persona depicted littering the universe throughout organised religion and occult teachings.

One may note the empathy ‘T’ has with the now abused entity, but they may both sleep peacefully with the understanding that whatever had occurred was little more than a reflected echo of something that once took place and our attribution of consciousness - and even emotion - onto the entity is a reflection of our inner, base human need for acceptance.