Haunting

John, Philippa and Groanin were Walking towards the Metropolitan Museum. Philippa had Her Arm In his as they Walked to the Museum. The Metropolitan Museum on Fifth Avenue was a few Blocks From the Gaunt House on East 77 th Street. From the Front, it Looks like a Sort of goant-sized Temple, With Tall Columns and a flight of steps as wide as a Football Field. But The Museum was Closed because of a Twenty-Four Hour Strike by Museum attendants, and the steps were crowded with People carrying placards and Shouting Loudly about something. Philippa, John and Mr. Groanin Stayed for a moment to read the Placards with slogans such as ''Metropolitan Museum Of Fear, No Go In Ghostly Galleries, Poltermet, and Night Visitors Means No Visitors.''

A few Minutes conversation with one of the attendants revealed that they were on Strike Because, he said, the Met was Haunted. Several of them had reported Seeing and Hearing Ghosts in the Sackler Wing and in the Chinese Art Galleries on the Second Floor. ''I'd Say that They Just After More Money As he, John and Philippa Went Back Home again. ''My Guess is that one of those What Works at the Met Read This.'' He showed Philippa a Copy of Yesterday's Daily Telegraph, and Drew Their Attention to a Front-Page headline that read, Spooks Spell Strikes At British Museum. ''Very Likely someone read that and thought it sounded like a good way of getting more money out of them as pay their wages.'' Says Groanin. Philippa read the story in Groanin's newspaper as they as the three of them walked. ''I'm not so sure. This Means Something, But I'm Not Sure What.'' Said Philippa. ''I agree, When We arrived I Sensed a Dark Presence Hanging about the Building I'd Have to read Lord Raphael's Codex to be more certain, but I'm almost completely Sure somethings Amiss in the Spirit World.'' Says John.

When, John, Philippa and Groanin Got home, they Found John and Nimrod had Returned from Las Vegas. They were Huddled in the Library with Mr. Raskhasas, Discussing Everything that had happened at the Winter Palace Hotel. ''So What Happens now? We've wasted two days trying to get Dybbuck on Board.'' Says Philippa. ''All is Not Lost. Accompanied by Mr. Raskhasas, for whom the Ethereal World is More Comfort at His Age, One of You Children Will have to Go After Faustina instead of Dybbuck.'' Said Nimrod ad John Looked at Philippa, who was Sitting in John's Lap. ''Remind Me a Little.'' He said Before Continuing. ''What exactly is the Ethereal World?'' He says. ''It 'Tis the Spirit World John. The World of Ghosts and Phantoms and Assorted Apparitions.'' Says Mr. Raskhasas. ''Oh that World.'' Says John, who Didn’t exactly like and meeting with the ghost of the Pharaoh Akhenaten had done nothing to change his Opinions of them. Ghosts were Creepy. Especially The Ones Who went about Haunting Places and Scaring People.

Philippa Who liked the idea of Ghosts even less than her brother, was just about to Volunteer, Nevertheless, when Groanin Spoke. ''The Spirit World can be Frightening, Even For a Djiin. Especially since You can't Rely on using Djiin Power in there Yourself.'' Says Groanin

There was a Longish Silence.

''Did I Mention That?'' Said Nimrod. ''No Perhaps I didn't. But Yes Djinn Power is Severely Limited in the Ethereal World. Oh You can Move Stuff About a Bit. Take Possession of Someone, Rattle A Chain About, Open A door- not that you'd need to mind you. But Your Focus Word will be useless.''Says Nimrod.

''We may Enter the Spirit World only as a Spirit, but Djinn Power is not of that world.'' Adds Mr. Raskhasas.

''Quite Simply You Can't Practice Mind over Matter, when there is no Matter. But you can achieve more in some ways. You'll Find that Time Moves much more slowly in the Spirit World.'' Says Nimrod.

For a Moment Neither one of the Children said anything. But Eventually John Sensing His Twin Sister's Greater Fear of Ghosts Spoke Up. ''I Guess it had better be me who goes then.'' Says John Finally. ''In that Case I'll head over to try and secure Faustina's Body. Phil?'' Says John as He kisses her cheek before leaving.