Since then, many others, from family members to tourists, have seen him wandering the mansion's halls and grand staircase. Several years ago, a woman touring the mansion told her guide that a statue in the grand hall had spoken to her, making it clear that he wanted to be in the chapel. The statue in question was a German woodcarving of a monk in a brown robe and skull cap. After being moved to the chapel, the monk seems to be less active and more benign, maybe even benevolent. One evening he was seen ascending the staircase when he paused to point at a large painting hanging above the stairs. The next day, the painting crashed to the landing. Had the monk been warning the family of impending danger?

Text © Dr. Michael Bell