For the rest of the week, however, they were undisturbed, the only thing that excited any attention being the continual renewal of the blood–stain on the library floor. This certainly was very strange, as the door was always locked at night by Mr. Otis, and the windows kept closely barred. The chameleon–like colour, also, of the stain excited a good deal of comment. Some mornings it was a dull (almost Indian) red, then it would be vermilion, then a rich purple, and once when they came down for family prayers, according to the simple rites of the Free American Reformed Episcopalian Church, they found it a bright emerald–green. These kaleidoscopic changes naturally amused the party very much, and bets on the subject were freely made every evening. The only person who did not enter into the joke was little Virginia, who, for some unexplained reason, was always a good deal distressed at the sight of the blood–stain, and very nearly cried the morning it was emerald–green.

The second appearance of the ghost was on Sunday night. Shortly after they had gone to bed they were suddenly alarmed by a fearful crash in the hall. Rushing down–stairs, they found that a large suit of old armour had become detached from its stand, and had fallen on the stone floor, while seated in a high–backed chair was the Canterville ghost, rubbing his knees with an expression of acute agony on his face. The twins, having brought their pea–shooters with them, at once discharged two pellets on him, with that accuracy of aim which can only be attained by long and careful practice on a writing–master, while the United States Minister covered him with his revolver, and called upon him, in accordance with Californian etiquette, to hold up his hands! The ghost started up with a wild shriek of rage, and swept through them like a mist, extinguishing Washington Otis's candle as he passed, and so leaving them all in total darkness.