The spirit appeared on a summer night in 1925. Dozens of people had gathered to witness the event: a séance held at the old Sovereign Hall on Dovercourt Road — what's now known as Dovercourt House. They had come for a chance to speak with the dead. Many of them must have looked on in amazement as the ghost materialized out of a cabinet, shrouded by mist and lit by strange light. He appeared before them in a white robe, with long hair and a flowing beard. He spoke to them, a miraculous visitor from beyond the grave delivering precious messages from the afterlife.