Knocking

I can vouch for the accuracy and trustworthiness of Mrs. Callin, the narrator of the incident described. December, 1882. Mr. J., employed as agent by my mistress^ Miss C, resident in the Royal Avenue, Chelsea, had long suffered severely from asthma, and on Miss C. going to see him one day, when he had been unable to go out for many weeks, some time in November, 1879, he remarked he should go to see her on her birthday (having always done so for many years), if he had to take a cab for it ; his wife rejoined, ' I do not think you will,' meaning his state of health would not allow him to do so, and he replied to her, ' Yes, I will: Miss C. retired to bed as usual on the night of December 7th. I slept in the same room, which was the front one on the first floor, with folding doors into the small dressing-room behind, no other person being in the house. In the early morning of next day (8th, and her birthday) Miss C. was awoke by a loud knock at the folding-door, and, listening, it was repeated : she then called me, but before she could rouse me, heard it again, the third time.^ I then got up, and looked outside both the doors with a light, and could see no one ; I also looked at the time, which was a quarter past ybwr. We then both went to sleep again, I thinking my mistress had dreamt this, but she always persisted she heard the knocks distinctly. After breakfast we heard that Mr. J. had died at four that morning, and Miss C. said to me that he came to tell her, having so certainly promised to go to her on that day. Miss C. died the following March, aged 94, but having all her faculties clear to the last, and often alluding to Mr. J.'s visit on her birthday. His age was about 60 only, and he had frequently said he should die before her, and she used to reply ' Don't wait for me out of politeness,' being always ready with a joke.