Mr Hiram B. Otis, the American Ambassador, bought an old house called Canterville Chase. Everyone told him he was doing a very foolish thing, because everyone was completely sure that the house was haunted.

Indeed, Lord Canterville himself felt that he really should mention the ghost to Mr Otis when he came to discuss the sale of the house. Lord Canterville was an honourable man, and did not want to hide anything.

Lord Canterville said 'We have not wanted to live in the house since my grand-aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened there. Two skeleton hands were placed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner.'

'She had a terrible fright, and she never really got better.'

'I have to tell you, Mr Otis, that the ghost has been seen by several members of my family, as well as by the local priest, the Rev. Augustus Dampier, who is a member of King's College, Cambridge.'

'After what happened to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay in the house. My wife often couldn't sleep at night, because of the mysterious noises that came from the corridor and the library.'