The Church’s Ghost Stories

The Mystery of The Invisible Dog

Mrs O’Reilly’s belief in a dead pastor, the neighborhood’s folklore, and the boys’ encounter leave the church’s haunting uncertain even after the burglary is explained.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Housekeeper’s Claim A Housekeeper’s Claim from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Housekeeper’s Claim A local ghost Mrs O’Reilly says that she has seen the former pastor walking with a candle.

A Housekeeper’s Claim from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Housekeeper’s Claim A local ghost Mrs O’Reilly says that she has seen the former pastor walking with a candle.

A Housekeeper’s Claim A local ghost Mrs O’Reilly says that she has seen the former pastor walking with a candle. Father McGovern rejects the story, while neighbors treat it as familiar gossip. Folklore in the background The tale makes a supernatural explanation available before the boys encounter anything themselves. It also shapes how witnesses interpret ambiguous sights.

A Cultural Source A Cultural Source from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Cultural Source Childhood stories revisited Professor Eugenia Lantine learns that Mrs O’Reilly grew up near a church said to be haunted by a priest lost at…

A Cultural Source from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Cultural Source Childhood stories revisited Professor Eugenia Lantine learns that Mrs O’Reilly grew up near a church said to be haunted by a priest lost at…

A Cultural Source Childhood stories revisited Professor Eugenia Lantine learns that Mrs O’Reilly grew up near a church said to be haunted by a priest lost at sea. The childhood legend resembles the local apparition. A plausible construction Lantine suspects that Mrs O’Reilly unconsciously rebuilt the familiar figure from old stories. Her theory explains a report without proving that every sighting is imaginary.

The Candle in the Dark The Candle in the Dark from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Candle in the Dark An apparent apparition Jupiter Jones enters the church and sees a white-haired figure in dark clerical clothes holding a candle.

The Candle in the Dark from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Candle in the Dark An apparent apparition Jupiter Jones enters the church and sees a white-haired figure in dark clerical clothes holding a candle.

The Candle in the Dark An apparent apparition Jupiter Jones enters the church and sees a white-haired figure in dark clerical clothes holding a candle. The man snuffs it out and disappears from sight. Fear becomes physical Jupiter is shoved and locked inside. Whatever the candle-bearer was, another person’s attack proves that the church’s mystery includes real danger.

A Missing Saint A Missing Saint from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Missing Saint A remembered statue Jupiter Jones says a statue of Saint Patrick was present the previous night, but Father McGovern says no such permanent…

A Missing Saint from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Missing Saint A remembered statue Jupiter Jones says a statue of Saint Patrick was present the previous night, but Father McGovern says no such permanent…

A Missing Saint A remembered statue Jupiter Jones says a statue of Saint Patrick was present the previous night, but Father McGovern says no such permanent statue belongs there. The costume pieces had been used in a pageant. A thief’s disguise The explanation supports Jupiter’s theory that the burglar posed as a statue. It resolves the church search while leaving the candle-bearing figure unexplained.

The Final Possibility The Final Possibility from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Final Possibility Explanations compared Jupiter Jones considers Elmquist’s wandering form, a physical disguise, and a genuine phantom.

The Final Possibility from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Final Possibility Explanations compared Jupiter Jones considers Elmquist’s wandering form, a physical disguise, and a genuine phantom.

The Final Possibility Explanations compared Jupiter Jones considers Elmquist’s wandering form, a physical disguise, and a genuine phantom. Each explanation accounts for some details but fails to account for others. Uncertainty retained The boys do not claim that a ghost has been proved. Their refusal to force a conclusion preserves the church’s haunting as an open question.

The first night of the police search

During Bob Andrews’s university visit

Around midnight during the overnight watch

Immediately after Jupiter is released

Mid-January during the account to Alfred Hitchcock