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 |