Funeral
Was there a specter at the funeral of local resident Mrs. Drablow? An
unexplained sighting of a mysterious woman in black has fuelled local legends of
Drablow hauntings.
The late Mrs. Drablow, of Eel Marsh House, was a wealthy landowner and
well known reclusive. Her funeral took place on the cold morning of November 6th
at Crythin Gifford parish church.
Attending the burial service were Mr Jerome, the deceased’s property
manager, and her young solicitor, Arthur Kipps, who had travelled from London.
Towards the end of the service, on hearing a rustle in the near empty
church, Mr Kipps turned and saw a mysterious female mourner. According to Mr
Kipps:
“She was quite alone, very erect and still and not holding a prayer book.
She was dressed in deepest black, in the style of full moaning that had rather
gone out of fashion.” While Kipps did not get a good look at her face, partly
hidden by a bonnet, he thought from her emaciated appearance she must be
suffering from some terrible disease. Mr. Kipps went on to say ” Not only was
she extremely pale, her eyes seemed shrunken into her head.”
Kipps admitted he was moved that a woman who looked as if she might be at
death’s door her self had made the effort to attend the funeral.
He noted that the enigmatic women in black disappeared after the burial.
When Mr. Kipps inquired of Mr. Jerome as to her identity, the latter was deeply
shocked.
“I did not see a young woman,” said Jerome.
She reappeared moments after Jerome had told Kipps that he had seen no-one, but
again was visible only to Mr. Kipps. Mr. Jerome appeared to be in a state of
some agitation, doubtless perturbed to think that the Drablow Ghost might be
once more manifesting itself.