You get off the chair, and put the book back on the table. The chair continues to rock.

With the candle, you examine the scratches on the table. Though it's hard to make out, you read some words clearly scratched-in with a knife:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. DO NOT SIT IN CHAIR. KNIFE IN BASEMENT. HOLE AT FAR DOOR. FOOD RIGHT. -J
Well, good of "J" to tell me about the chair now, you think to yourself.
Of course, this could have been written ages ago.

Will you
quickly flip through the book to see if there's anything important hidden in it,
or take the candle and go back to the hallway?