I recently received this letter:

Hello my name is ******* and I am looking for some help. I often hear my three and half year old son talking to him self. One day I asked him who he was talking to. He told me ‘That man and lady, mommy’. I than asked him were are they and he pointed over my shoulder. I however didn’t see anyone. This was not the last ’sighting’ of the man and woman, but just one of many. I just wanted you to understand what I am saying. I need some help figuring things out with this, I am very freaked out about this. If you have any information about ANYTHING that might help I would greatly apprecate it.

Children are oft aware of elements we adults are not. It is something we lose as we grow into adulthood, and inherent intuition about the world around us that reveals what might be hidden from the five senses.

Whether this particular “man and lady” be actual entities of some nature, or merely representations of the child’s growing consciousness, cannot be told. If the child appears not to be in distress with their presence, there is little need to be concerned. However, do pay close attention to your reactions in the presence of the child as he will be encouraged to react in a similar manner to yourself.

You should ask yourself whether anyone close to the family has been recently deceased, or whether the child no longer sees someone who was once close to him, for whom the instinctive longing may manifest itself in this manner.

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.

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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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