TheHauntedHouseNo。IBranchLine：TheSignalManBULWER-LYTTON(1803-73)

TheHauntedandtheHaunters。or，TheHouseandtheBrainTheIncantationTHOMASDEQUINCEY(1785-1859)

TheAvengerCHARLESROBERTMATURIN(1782-1824)

MelmoththeWandererLAURENCESTERNE(1713-68)

AMysterywithaMoralWILLIAMMAKEPEACETHACKERAY(1811-63)

OnBeingFoundOutTheNotchontheAxANONYMOUS

BourgonefTheClosedCabinetTHEHAUNTEDHOUSE

INTWOCHAPTERS

THEMORTALSINTHEHOUSE

Undernoneoftheaccreditedghostlycircumstances，andenvironedbynoneoftheconventionalghostlysurroundings，didIfirstmakeacquaintancewiththehousewhichisthesubjectofthisChristmaspiece。Isawitinthedaylight，withthesunuponit。Therewasnowind，norain，nolightning，nothunder，noawfulorunwontedcircumstance，ofanykind，toheightenitseffect。Morethanthat：

Ihadcometoitdirectfromarailwaystation：itwasnotmorethanamiledistantfromtherailwaystation。and，asIstoodoutsidethehouse，lookingbackuponthewayIhadcome，Icouldseethegoodstrainrunningsmoothlyalongtheembankmentinthevalley。Iwillnotsaythateverythingwasutterlycommonplace，becauseIdoubtifanythingcanbethat，excepttoutterlycommonplacepeople——andtheremyvanitystepsin。but，IwilltakeitonmyselftosaythatanybodymightseethehouseasIsawit，anyfineautumnmorning。

Themannerofmylightingonitwasthis。

IwastravellingtowardsLondonoutoftheNorth，intendingtostopbytheway，tolookatthehouse。Myhealthrequiredatemporaryresidenceinthecountry。andafriendofminewhoknewthat，andwhohadhappenedtodrivepastthehouse，hadwrittentometosuggestitasalikelyplace。Ihadgotintothetrainatmidnight，andhadfallenasleep，andhadwokeupandhadsatlookingoutofwindowatthebrilliantNorthernLightsinthesky，andhadfallenasleepagain，andhadwokeupagaintofindthenightgone，withtheusualdiscontentedconvictiononmethatI

hadn’tbeentosleepatall——uponwhichquestion，inthefirstimbecilityofthatcondition，IamashamedtobelievethatIwouldhavedonewagerbybattlewiththemanwhosatoppositeme。Thatoppositemanhadhad，throughthenight——asthatoppositemanalwayshas——severallegstoomany，andallofthemtoolong。Inadditiontothisunreasonableconduct(whichwasonlytobeexpectedofhim)，hehadhadapencilandapocket-book，andhadbeenperpetuallylisteningandtakingnotes。Ithadappearedtomethattheseaggravatingnotesrelatedtothejoltsandbumpsofthecarriage，andIshouldhaveresignedmyselftohistakingthem，underageneralsuppositionthathewasinthecivil-engineeringwayoflife，ifhehadnotsatstaringstraightovermyheadwheneverhelistened。Hewasagoggle-eyedgentlemanofaperplexedaspect，andhisdemeanorbecameunbearable。

Itwasacold，deadmorning(thesunnotbeingupyet)，andwhenI

hadout-watchedthepalinglightofthefiresoftheironcountry，andthecurtainofheavysmokethathungatoncebetweenmeandthestarsandbetweenmeandtheday，Iturnedtomyfellow-travellerandsaid：

IBEGyourpardon，sir，butdoyouobserveanythingparticularinme？For，really，heappearedtobetakingdown，eithermytravelling-capormyhair，withaminutenessthatwasaliberty。

Thegoggle-eyedgentlemanwithdrewhiseyesfrombehindme，asifthebackofthecarriagewereahundredmilesoff，andsaid，withaloftylookofcompassionformyinsignificance：

Inyou，sir？——B。

B，sir？saidI，growingwarm。

Ihavenothingtodowithyou，sir，returnedthegentleman。prayletmelisten——O。

Heenunciatedthisvowelafterapause，andnoteditdown。

AtfirstIwasalarmed，foranExpresslunaticandnocommunicationwiththeguard，isaseriousposition。ThethoughtcametomyreliefthatthegentlemanmightbewhatispopularlycalledaRapper：oneofasectfor(someof)whomIhavethehighestrespect，butwhomIdon’tbelievein。Iwasgoingtoaskhimthequestion，whenhetookthebreadoutofmymouth。

Youwillexcuseme，saidthegentlemancontemptuously，ifIamtoomuchinadvanceofcommonhumanitytotroublemyselfatallaboutit。Ihavepassedthenight——asindeedIpassthewholeofmytimenow——inspiritualintercourse。

O！saidI，somewhatsnappishly。

Theconferencesofthenightbegan，continuedthegentleman，turningseveralleavesofhisnote-book，withthismessage：’Evilcommunicationscorruptgoodmanners。’

Sound，saidI。but，absolutelynew？

Newfromspirits，returnedthegentleman。

IcouldonlyrepeatmyrathersnappishO！andaskifImightbefavoredwiththelastcommunication。

’Abirdinthehand，’saidthegentleman，readinghislastentrywithgreatsolemnity，’isworthtwointheBosh。’

TrulyIamofthesameopinion，saidI。butshouldn’titbeBush？

Itcametome，Bosh，returnedthegentleman。

ThegentlemantheninformedmethatthespiritofSocrateshaddeliveredthisspecialrevelationinthecourseofthenight。Myfriend，Ihopeyouareprettywell。Therearetwointhisrailwaycarriage。Howdoyoudo？Thereareseventeenthousandfourhundredandseventy-ninespiritshere，butyoucannotseethem。

Pythagorasishere。Heisnotatlibertytomentionit，buthopesyouliketravelling。Galileolikewisehaddroppedin，withthisscientificintelligence。Iamgladtoseeyou，amico。Comesta？

Waterwillfreezewhenitiscoldenough。Addio！Inthecourseofthenight，also，thefollowingphenomenahadoccurred。BishopButlerhadinsistedonspellinghisname，Bubler，forwhichoffenceagainstorthographyandgoodmannershehadbeendismissedasoutoftemper。JohnMilton(suspectedofwilfulmystification)

hadrepudiatedtheauthorshipofParadiseLost，andhadintroduced，asjointauthorsofthatpoem，twoUnknowngentlemen，respectivelynamedGrungersandScadgingtone。AndPrinceArthur，nephewofKingJohnofEngland，haddescribedhimselfastolerablycomfortableintheseventhcircle，wherehewaslearningtopaintonvelvet，underthedirectionofMrs。TrimmerandMaryQueenofScots。

Ifthisshouldmeettheeyeofthegentlemanwhofavoredmewiththesedisclosures，Itrusthewillexcusemyconfessingthatthesightoftherisingsun，andthecontemplationofthemagnificentOrderofthevastUniverse，mademeimpatientofthem。Inaword，Iwassoimpatientofthem，thatIwasmightilygladtogetoutatthenextstation，andtoexchangethesecloudsandvaporsforthefreeairofHeaven。

Bythattimeitwasabeautifulmorning。AsIwalkedawayamongsuchleavesashadalreadyfallenfromthegolden，brown，andrussettrees。andasIlookedaroundmeonthewondersofCreation，andthoughtofthesteady，unchanging，andharmoniouslawsbywhichtheyaresustained。thegentleman’sspiritualintercourseseemedtomeaspoorapieceofjourney-workaseverthisworldsaw。Inwhichheathenstateofmind，Icamewithinviewofthehouse，andstoppedtoexamineitattentively。

Itwasasolitaryhouse，standinginasadlyneglectedgarden：aprettyevensquareofsometwoacres。ItwasahouseofaboutthetimeofGeorgetheSecond。asstiff，ascold，asformal，andinasbadtaste，ascouldpossiblybedesiredbythemostloyaladmirerofthewholequartetofGeorges。Itwasuninhabited，buthad，withinayearortwo，beencheaplyrepairedtorenderithabitable。

Isaycheaply，becausetheworkhadbeendoneinasurfacemanner，andwasalreadydecayingastothepaintandplaster，thoughthecolorswerefresh。Alop-sidedboarddroopedoverthegardenwall，announcingthatitwastoletonveryreasonableterms，wellfurnished。Itwasmuchtoocloselyandheavilyshadowedbytrees，and，inparticular，thereweresixtallpoplarsbeforethefrontwindows，whichwereexcessivelymelancholy，andthesiteofwhichhadbeenextremelyillchosen。

Itwaseasytoseethatitwasanavoidedhouse——ahousethatwasshunnedbythevillage，towhichmyeyewasguidedbyachurchspiresomehalfamileoff——ahousethatnobodywouldtake。Andthenaturalinferencewas，thatithadthereputationofbeingahauntedhouse。

Noperiodwithinthefour-and-twentyhoursofdayandnightissosolemntome，astheearlymorning。Inthesummer-time，Ioftenriseveryearly，andrepairtomyroomtodoaday’sworkbeforebreakfast，andIamalwaysonthoseoccasionsdeeplyimpressedbythestillnessandsolitudearoundme。Besidesthatthereissomethingawfulinthebeingsurroundedbyfamiliarfacesasleep——

intheknowledgethatthosewhoaredearesttousandtowhomwearedearest，areprofoundlyunconsciousofus，inanimpassivestate，anticipativeofthatmysteriousconditiontowhichwearealltending——thestoppedlife，thebrokenthreadsofyesterday，thedesertedseat，theclosedbook，theunfinishedbutabandonedoccupation，allareimagesofDeath。ThetranquillityofthehouristhetranquillityofDeath。Thecolorandthechillhavethesameassociation。Evenacertainairthatfamiliarhouseholdobjectstakeuponthemwhentheyfirstemergefromtheshadowsofthenightintothemorning，ofbeingnewer，andastheyusedtobelongago，hasitscounterpartinthesubsidenceofthewornfaceofmaturityorage，indeath，intotheoldyouthfullook。Moreover，I

oncesawtheapparitionofmyfather，atthishour。Hewasaliveandwell，andnothingevercameofit，butIsawhiminthedaylight，sittingwithhisbacktowardsme，onaseatthatstoodbesidemybed。Hisheadwasrestingonhishand，andwhetherhewasslumberingorgrieving，Icouldnotdiscern。Amazedtoseehimthere，Isatup，movedmyposition，leanedoutofbed，andwatchedhim。Ashedidnotmove，Ispoketohimmorethanonce。Ashedidnotmovethen，Ibecamealarmedandlaidmyhanduponhisshoulder，asIthought——andtherewasnosuchthing。

Forallthesereasons，andforotherslesseasilyandbrieflystatable，Ifindtheearlymorningtobemymostghostlytime。Anyhousewouldbemoreorlesshaunted，tome，intheearlymorning。

andahauntedhousecouldscarcelyaddressmetogreateradvantagethanthen。

Iwalkedonintothevillage，withthedesertionofthishouseuponmymind，andIfoundthelandlordofthelittleinn，sandinghisdoor-step。Ibespokebreakfast，andbroachedthesubjectofthehouse。

Isithaunted？Iasked。

Thelandlordlookedatme，shookhishead，andanswered，Isaynothing。

ThenitIShaunted？

Well！criedthelandlord，inanoutburstoffranknessthathadtheappearanceofdesperation——Iwouldn’tsleepinit。

Whynot？

IfIwantedtohaveallthebellsinahousering，withnobodytoring’em。andallthedoorsinahousebang，withnobodytobang’em。andallsortsoffeettreadingabout，withnofeetthere。why，then，saidthelandlord，I’dsleepinthathouse。

Isanythingseenthere？

Thelandlordlookedatmeagain，andthen，withhisformerappearanceofdesperation，calleddownhisstable-yardforIkey！

Thecallproducedahigh-shoulderedyoungfellow，witharoundredface，ashortcropofsandyhair，averybroadhumorousmouth，aturned-upnose，andagreatsleevedwaistcoatofpurplebars，withmother-of-pearlbuttons，thatseemedtobegrowinguponhim，andtobeinafairway——ifitwerenotpruned——ofcoveringhisheadandoverrunninghisboots。

Thisgentlemanwantstoknow，saidthelandlord，ifanything’sseenatthePoplars。

’Oodedwomanwithahowl，saidIkey，inastateofgreatfreshness。

Doyoumeanacry？

Imeanabird，sir。

Ahoodedwomanwithanowl。Dearme！Didyoueverseeher？

Iseenthehowl。

Neverthewoman？

Notsoplainasthehowl，buttheyalwayskeepstogether。

Hasanybodyeverseenthewomanasplainlyastheowl？

Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。

Who？

Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。

Thegeneral-dealeropposite，forinstance，whoisopeninghisshop？

Perkins？Blessyou，Perkinswouldn’tgoa-nightheplace。No！

observedtheyoungman，withconsiderablefeeling。hean’toverwise，an’tPerkins，buthean’tsuchafoolasTHAT。

(Here，thelandlordmurmuredhisconfidenceinPerkins’sknowingbetter。)

Whois——orwhowas——thehoodedwomanwiththeowl？Doyouknow？

Well！saidIkey，holdinguphiscapwithonehandwhilehescratchedhisheadwiththeother，theysay，ingeneral，thatshewasmurdered，andthehowlhe’ootedthewhile。

ThisveryconcisesummaryofthefactswasallIcouldlearn，exceptthatayoungman，asheartyandlikelyayoungmanaseverI

see，hadbeentookwithfitsandhelddownin’em，afterseeingthehoodedwoman。Also，thatapersonage，dimlydescribedasaholdchap，asortofone-eyedtramp，answeringtothenameofJoby，unlessyouchallengedhimasGreenwood，andthenhesaid，’Whynot？

andevenifso，mindyourownbusiness，’hadencounteredthehoodedwoman，amatteroffiveorsixtimes。But，Iwasnotmateriallyassistedbythesewitnesses：inasmuchasthefirstwasinCalifornia，andthelastwas，asIkeysaid(andhewasconfirmedbythelandlord)，Anywheres。

Now，althoughIregardwithahushedandsolemnfear，themysteries，betweenwhichandthisstateofexistenceisinterposedthebarrierofthegreattrialandchangethatfallonallthethingsthatlive。andalthoughIhavenottheaudacitytopretendthatIknowanythingofthem。Icannomorereconcilethemerebangingofdoors，ringingofbells，creakingofboards，andsuch-

likeinsignificances，withthemajesticbeautyandpervadinganalogyofalltheDivinerulesthatIampermittedtounderstand，thanIhadbeenable，alittlewhilebefore，toyokethespiritualintercourseofmyfellow-travellertothechariotoftherisingsun。Moreover，Ihadlivedintwohauntedhouses——bothabroad。Inoneofthese，anoldItalianpalace，whichborethereputationofbeingverybadlyhauntedindeed，andwhichhadrecentlybeentwiceabandonedonthataccount，Ilivedeightmonths，mosttranquillyandpleasantly：notwithstandingthatthehousehadascoreofmysteriousbedrooms，whichwereneverused，andpossessed，inonelargeroominwhichIsatreading，timesoutofnumberatallhours，andnexttowhichIslept，ahauntedchamberofthefirstpretensions。Igentlyhintedtheseconsiderationstothelandlord。

Andastothisparticularhousehavingabadname，Ireasonedwithhim，Why，howmanythingshadbadnamesundeservedly，andhoweasyitwastogivebadnames，anddidhenotthinkthatifheandI

werepersistentlytowhisperinthevillagethatanyweird-lookingolddrunkentinkeroftheneighborhoodhadsoldhimselftotheDevil，hewouldcomeintimetobesuspectedofthatcommercialventure！Allthiswisetalkwasperfectlyineffectivewiththelandlord，Iamboundtoconfess，andwasasdeadafailureaseverImadeinmylife。

Tocutthispartofthestoryshort，Iwaspiquedaboutthehauntedhouse，andwasalreadyhalfresolvedtotakeit。So，afterbreakfast，IgotthekeysfromPerkins’sbrother-in-law(awhipandharnessmaker，whokeepsthePostOffice，andisundersubmissiontoamostrigorouswifeoftheDoublySecedingLittleEmmanuelpersuasion)，andwentuptothehouse，attendedbymylandlordandbyIkey。

Within，Ifoundit，asIhadexpected，transcendentlydismal。Theslowlychangingshadowswavedonitfromtheheavytrees，weredolefulinthelastdegree。thehousewasill-placed，ill-built，ill-planned，andill-fitted。Itwasdamp，itwasnotfreefromdryrot，therewasaflavorofratsinit，anditwasthegloomyvictimofthatindescribabledecaywhichsettlesonalltheworkofman’shandswheneverit’snotturnedtoman’saccount。Thekitchensandofficesweretoolarge，andtooremotefromeachother。Abovestairsandbelow，wastetractsofpassageintervenedbetweenpatchesoffertilityrepresentedbyrooms。andtherewasamouldyoldwellwithagreengrowthuponit，hidinglikeamurderoustrap，nearthebottomoftheback-stairs，underthedoublerowofbells。

Oneofthesebellswaslabelled，onablackgroundinfadedwhiteletters，MASTERB。This，theytoldme，wasthebellthatrangthemost。

WhowasMasterB。？Iasked。Isitknownwhathedidwhiletheowlhooted？

Rangthebell，saidIkey。

Iwasratherstruckbythepromptdexteritywithwhichthisyoungmanpitchedhisfurcapatthebell，andrangithimself。Itwasaloud，unpleasantbell，andmadeaverydisagreeablesound。Theotherbellswereinscribedaccordingtothenamesoftheroomstowhichtheirwireswereconducted：asPictureRoom，DoubleRoom，

ClockRoom，andthelike。FollowingMasterB。’sbelltoitssourceIfoundthatyounggentlemantohavehadbutindifferentthird-classaccommodationinatriangularcabinunderthecock-

loft，withacornerfireplacewhichMasterB。musthavebeenexceedinglysmallifhewereeverabletowarmhimselfat，andacornerchimney-piecelikeapyramidalstaircasetotheceilingforTomThumb。Thepaperingofonesideoftheroomhaddroppeddownbodily，withfragmentsofplasteradheringtoit，andalmostblockedupthedoor。ItappearedthatMasterB。，inhisspiritualcondition，alwaysmadeapointofpullingthepaperdown。NeitherthelandlordnorIkeycouldsuggestwhyhemadesuchafoolofhimself。

Exceptthatthehousehadanimmenselylargeramblingloftattop，Imadenootherdiscoveries。Itwasmoderatelywellfurnished，butsparely。Someofthefurniture——say，athird——wasasoldasthehouse。therestwasofvariousperiodswithinthelasthalf-

century。Iwasreferredtoacorn-chandlerinthemarket-placeofthecountytowntotreatforthehouse。Iwentthatday，andI

tookitforsixmonths。

ItwasjustthemiddleofOctoberwhenImovedinwithmymaidensister(Iventuretocallhereight-and-thirty，sheissoveryhandsome，sensible，andengaging)。Wetookwithus，adeafstable-

man，mybloodhoundTurk，twowomenservants，andayoungpersoncalledanOddGirl。Ihavereasontorecordoftheattendantlastenumerated，whowasoneoftheSaintLawrence’sUnionFemaleOrphans，thatshewasafatalmistakeandadisastrousengagement。

Theyearwasdyingearly，theleaveswerefallingfast，itwasarawcolddaywhenwetookpossession，andthegloomofthehousewasmostdepressing。Thecook(anamiablewoman，butofaweakturnofintellect)burstintotearsonbeholdingthekitchen，andrequestedthathersilverwatchmightbedeliveredovertohersister(2Tuppintock’sGardens，Liggs’sWalk，ClaphamRise)，intheeventofanythinghappeningtoherfromthedamp。Streaker，thehousemaid，feignedcheerfulness，butwasthegreatermartyr。TheOddGirl，whohadneverbeeninthecountry，alonewaspleased，andmadearrangementsforsowinganacorninthegardenoutsidethescullerywindow，andrearinganoak。

Wewent，beforedark，throughallthenatural——asopposedtosupernatural——miseriesincidentaltoourstate。Dispiritingreportsascended(likethesmoke)fromthebasementinvolumes，anddescendedfromtheupperrooms。Therewasnorolling-pin，therewasnosalamander(whichfailedtosurpriseme，forIdon’tknowwhatitis)，therewasnothinginthehouse。whattherewas，wasbroken，thelastpeoplemusthavelivedlikepigs，whatcouldthemeaningofthelandlordbe？Throughthesedistresses，theOddGirlwascheerfulandexemplary。Butwithinfourhoursafterdarkwehadgotintoasupernaturalgroove，andtheOddGirlhadseenEyes，andwasinhysterics。

MysisterandIhadagreedtokeepthehauntingstrictlytoourselves，andmyimpressionwas，andstillis，thatIhadnotleftIkey，whenhehelpedtounloadthecart，alonewiththewomen，oranyoneofthem，foroneminute。Nevertheless，asIsay，theOddGirlhadseenEyes(nootherexplanationcouldeverbedrawnfromher)，beforenine，andbyteno’clockhadhadasmuchvinegarappliedtoheraswouldpickleahandsomesalmon。

Ileaveadiscerningpublictojudgeofmyfeelings，when，undertheseuntowardcircumstances，atabouthalf-pastteno’clockMasterB。’sbellbegantoringinamostinfuriatedmanner，andTurkhowleduntilthehouseresoundedwithhislamentations！

IhopeImayneveragainbeinastateofmindsounchristianasthementalframeinwhichIlivedforsomeweeks，respectingthememoryofMasterB。Whetherhisbellwasrungbyrats，ormice，orbats，orwind，orwhatotheraccidentalvibration，orsometimesbyonecause，sometimesanother，andsometimesbycollusion，Idon’tknow。but，certainitis，thatitdidringtwonightsoutofthree，untilIconceivedthehappyideaoftwistingMasterB。’sneck——inotherwords，breakinghisbellshortoff——andsilencingthatyounggentleman，astomyexperienceandbelief，forever。

But，bythattime，theOddGirlhaddevelopedsuchimprovingpowersofcatalepsy，thatshehadbecomeashiningexampleofthatveryinconvenientdisorder。Shewouldstiffen，likeaGuyFawkesendowedwithunreason，onthemostirrelevantoccasions。Iwouldaddresstheservantsinalucidmanner，pointingouttothemthatI

hadpaintedMasterB。’sroomandbalkedthepaper，andtakenMasterB。’sbellawayandbalkedtheringing，andiftheycouldsupposethatthatconfoundedboyhadlivedanddied，toclothehimselfwithnobetterbehaviorthanwouldmostunquestionablyhavebroughthimandthesharpestparticlesofabirch-broomintocloseacquaintanceinthepresentimperfectstateofexistence，couldtheyalsosupposeamerepoorhumanbeing，suchasIwas，capablebythosecontemptiblemeansofcounteractingandlimitingthepowersofthedisembodiedspiritsofthedead，orofanyspirits？——IsayIwouldbecomeemphaticandcogent，nottosayrathercomplacent，insuchanaddress，whenitwouldallgofornothingbyreasonoftheOddGirl’ssuddenlystiffeningfromthetoesupward，andglaringamonguslikeaparochialpetrifaction。

Streaker，thehousemaid，too，hadanattributeofamostdiscomfitingnature。Iamunabletosaywhethershewasofanusuallylymphatictemperament，orwhatelsewasthematterwithher，butthisyoungwomanbecameamereDistilleryfortheproductionofthelargestandmosttransparenttearsIevermetwith。Combinedwiththesecharacteristics，wasapeculiartenacityofholdinthosespecimens，sothattheydidn’tfall，buthunguponherfaceandnose。Inthiscondition，andmildlyanddeplorablyshakingherhead，hersilencewouldthrowmemoreheavilythantheAdmirableCrichtoncouldhavedoneinaverbaldisputationforapurseofmoney。Cook，likewise，alwayscoveredmewithconfusionaswithagarment，byneatlywindingupthesessionwiththeprotestthattheOusewaswearingherout，andbymeeklyrepeatingherlastwishesregardinghersilverwatch。

Astoournightlylife，thecontagionofsuspicionandfearwasamongus，andthereisnosuchcontagionunderthesky。Hoodedwoman？Accordingtotheaccounts，wewereinaperfectConventofhoodedwomen。Noises？Withthatcontagiondownstairs，Imyselfhavesatinthedismalparlor，listening，untilIhaveheardsomanyandsuchstrangenoises，thattheywouldhavechilledmybloodifIhadnotwarmeditbydashingouttomakediscoveries。Trythisinbed，inthedeadofthenight：trythisatyourowncomfortablefire-side，inthelifeofthenight。Youcanfillanyhousewithnoises，ifyouwill，untilyouhaveanoiseforeverynerveinyournervoussystem。

Irepeat。thecontagionofsuspicionandfearwasamongus，andthereisnosuchcontagionunderthesky。Thewomen(theirnosesinachronicstateofexcoriationfromsmelling-salts)werealwaysprimedandloadedforaswoon，andreadytogooffwithhair-

triggers。ThetwoelderdetachedtheOddGirlonallexpeditionsthatwereconsidereddoublyhazardous，andshealwaysestablishedthereputationofsuchadventuresbycomingbackcataleptic。IfCookorStreakerwentoverheadafterdark，weknewweshouldpresentlyhearabumpontheceiling。andthistookplacesoconstantly，thatitwasasifafightingmanwereengagedtogoaboutthehouse，administeringatouchofhisartwhichIbelieveiscalledTheAuctioneer，toeverydomestichemetwith。

Itwasinvaintodoanything。Itwasinvaintobefrightened，forthemomentinone’sownperson，byarealowl，andthentoshowtheowl。Itwasinvaintodiscover，bystrikinganaccidentaldiscordonthepiano，thatTurkalwayshowledatparticularnotesandcombinations。ItwasinvaintobeaRhadamanthuswiththebells，andifanunfortunatebellrangwithoutleave，tohaveitdowninexorablyandsilenceit。Itwasinvaintofireupchimneys，lettorchesdownthewell，chargefuriouslyintosuspectedroomsandrecesses。Wechangedservants，anditwasnobetter。Thenewsetranaway，andathirdsetcame，anditwasnobetter。Atlast，ourcomfortablehousekeepinggottobesodisorganisedandwretched，thatIonenightdejectedlysaidtomysister：Patty，Ibegintodespairofourgettingpeopletogoonwithushere，andIthinkwemustgivethisup。

Mysister，whoisawomanofimmensespirit，replied，No，John，don’tgiveitup。Don’tbebeaten，John。Thereisanotherway。

Andwhatisthat？saidI。

John，returnedmysister，ifwearenottobedrivenoutofthishouse，andthatfornoreasonwhatever，thatisapparenttoyouorme，wemusthelpourselvesandtakethehousewhollyandsolelyintoourownhands。

But，theservants，saidI。

Havenoservants，saidmysister，boldly。

Likemostpeopleinmygradeoflife，Ihadneverthoughtofthepossibilityofgoingonwithoutthosefaithfulobstructions。Thenotionwassonewtomewhensuggested，thatIlookedverydoubtful。

Weknowtheycomeheretobefrightenedandinfectoneanother，andweknowtheyarefrightenedanddoinfectoneanother，saidmysister。

WiththeexceptionofBottles，Iobserved，inameditativetone。

(Thedeafstable-man。Ikepthiminmyservice，andstillkeephim，asaphenomenonofmorosenessnottobematchedinEngland。)

Tobesure，John，assentedmysister。exceptBottles。Andwhatdoesthatgotoprove？Bottlestalkstonobody，andhearsnobodyunlessheisabsolutelyroaredat，andwhatalarmhasBottlesevergiven，ortaken？None。

Thiswasperfectlytrue。theindividualinquestionhavingretired，everynightatteno’clock，tohisbedoverthecoach-house，withnoothercompanythanapitchforkandapailofwater。Thatthepailofwaterwouldhavebeenoverme，andthepitchforkthroughme，ifIhadputmyselfwithoutannouncementinBottles’swayafterthatminute，Ihaddepositedinmyownmindasafactworthremembering。NeitherhadBottlesevertakentheleastnoticeofanyofourmanyuproars。Animperturbableandspeechlessman，hehadsatathissupper，withStreakerpresentinaswoon，andtheOddGirlmarble，andhadonlyputanotherpotatoinhischeek，orprofitedbythegeneralmiserytohelphimselftobeefsteakpie。

Andso，continuedmysister，IexemptBottles。Andconsidering，John，thatthehouseistoolarge，andperhapstoolonely，tobekeptwellinhandbyBottles，you，andme，Iproposethatwecastaboutamongourfriendsforacertainselectednumberofthemostreliableandwilling——formaSocietyhereforthreemonths——waituponourselvesandoneanother——livecheerfullyandsocially——andseewhathappens。

Iwassocharmedwithmysister，thatIembracedheronthespot，andwentintoherplanwiththegreatestardor。

WeweretheninthethirdweekofNovember。but，wetookourmeasuressovigorously，andweresowellsecondedbythefriendsinwhomweconfided，thattherewasstillaweekofthemonthunexpired，whenourpartyallcamedowntogethermerrily，andmusteredinthehauntedhouse。

Iwillmention，inthisplace，twosmallchangesthatImadewhilemysisterandIwereyetalone。ItoccurringtomeasnotimprobablethatTurkhowledinthehouseatnight，partlybecausehewantedtogetoutofit，Istationedhiminhiskenneloutside，butunchained。andIseriouslywarnedthevillagethatanymanwhocameinhiswaymustnotexpecttoleavehimwithoutaripinhisownthroat。IthencasuallyaskedIkeyifhewereajudgeofagun？Onhissaying，Yes，sir，IknowsagoodgunwhenIseesher，Ibeggedthefavorofhissteppinguptothehouseandlookingatmine。

SHE’Satrueone，sir，saidIkey，afterinspectingadouble-

barrelledriflethatIboughtinNewYorkafewyearsago。NomistakeaboutHER，sir。

Ikey，saidI，don’tmentionit。Ihaveseensomethinginthishouse。

No，sir？hewhispered，greedilyopeninghiseyes。’Oodedlady，sir？

Don’tbefrightened，saidI。Itwasafigureratherlikeyou。

Lord，sir？

Ikey！saidI，shakinghandswithhimwarmly，Imaysayaffectionately。ifthereisanytruthintheseghost-stories，thegreatestserviceIcandoyou，is，tofireatthatfigure。AndI

promiseyou，byHeavenandearth，IwilldoitwiththisgunifI

seeitagain！

Theyoungmanthankedme，andtookhisleavewithsomelittleprecipitation，afterdecliningaglassofliquor。Iimpartedmysecrettohim，becauseIhadneverquiteforgottenhisthrowinghiscapatthebell。becauseIhad，onanotheroccasion，noticedsomethingverylikeafurcap，lyingnotfarfromthebell，onenightwhenithadburstoutringing。andbecauseIhadremarkedthatwewereatourghostliestwheneverhecameupintheeveningtocomforttheservants。LetmedoIkeynoinjustice。Hewasafraidofthehouse，andbelievedinitsbeinghaunted。andyethewouldplayfalseonthehauntingside，sosurelyashegotanopportunity。TheOddGirl’scasewasexactlysimilar。Shewentaboutthehouseinastateofrealterror，andyetliedmonstrouslyandwilfully，andinventedmanyofthealarmsshespread，andmademanyofthesoundsweheard。Ihadhadmyeyeonthetwo，andI

knowit。Itisnotnecessaryforme，here，toaccountforthispreposterousstateofmind。Icontentmyselfwithremarkingthatitisfamiliarlyknowntoeveryintelligentmanwhohashadfairmedical，legal，orotherwatchfulexperience。thatitisaswellestablishedandascommonastateofmindasanywithwhichobserversareacquainted。andthatitisoneofthefirstelements，aboveallothers，rationallytobesuspectedin，andstrictlylookedfor，andseparatedfrom，anyquestionofthiskind。

Toreturntoourparty。Thefirstthingwedidwhenwewereallassembled，was，todrawlotsforbedrooms。Thatdone，andeverybedroom，and，indeed，thewholehouse，havingbeenminutelyexaminedbythewholebody，weallottedthevarioushouseholdduties，asifwehadbeenonagipsyparty，orayachtingparty，orahuntingparty，orwereshipwrecked。Ithenrecountedthefloatingrumorsconcerningthehoodedlady，theowl，andMasterB。：

withothers，stillmorefilmy，whichhadfloatedaboutduringouroccupation，relativetosomeridiculousoldghostofthefemalegenderwhowentupanddown，carryingtheghostofaroundtable。

andalsotoanimpalpableJackass，whomnobodywaseverabletocatch。SomeoftheseideasIreallybelieveourpeoplebelowhadcommunicatedtooneanotherinsomediseasedway，withoutconveyingtheminwords。Wethengravelycalledoneanothertowitness，thatwewerenottheretobedeceived，ortodeceive——whichweconsideredprettymuchthesamething——andthat，withaserioussenseofresponsibility，wewouldbestrictlytruetooneanother，andwouldstrictlyfollowoutthetruth。Theunderstandingwasestablished，thatanyonewhoheardunusualnoisesinthenight，andwhowishedtotracethem，shouldknockatmydoor。lastly，thatonTwelfthNight，thelastnightofholyChristmas，allourindividualexperiencessincethatthenpresenthourofourcomingtogetherinthehauntedhouse，shouldbebroughttolightforthegoodofall。andthatwewouldholdourpeaceonthesubjecttillthen，unlessonsomeremarkableprovocationtobreaksilence。

Wewere，innumberandincharacter，asfollows：

First——togetmysisterandmyselfoutoftheway——therewerewetwo。Inthedrawingoflots，mysisterdrewherownroom，andI

drewMasterB。’s。Next，therewasourfirstcousinJohnHerschel，socalledafterthegreatastronomer：thanwhomIsupposeabettermanatatelescopedoesnotbreathe。Withhim，washiswife：acharmingcreaturetowhomhehadbeenmarriedinthepreviousspring。Ithoughtit(underthecircumstances)ratherimprudenttobringher，becausethereisnoknowingwhatevenafalsealarmmaydoatsuchatime。butIsupposeheknewhisownbusinessbest，andImustsaythatifshehadbeenMYwife，Inevercouldhaveleftherendearingandbrightfacebehind。TheydrewtheClockRoom。

AlfredStarling，anuncommonlyagreeableyoungfellowofeight-and-

twentyforwhomIhavethegreatestliking，wasintheDoubleRoom。

mine，usually，anddesignatedbythatnamefromhavingadressing-

roomwithinit，withtwolargeandcumbersomewindows，whichnowedgesIwaseverabletomake，wouldkeepfromshaking，inanyweather，windornowind。Alfredisayoungfellowwhopretendstobefast(anotherwordforloose，asIunderstandtheterm)，butwhoismuchtoogoodandsensibleforthatnonsense，andwhowouldhavedistinguishedhimselfbeforenow，ifhisfatherhadnotunfortunatelylefthimasmallindependenceoftwohundredayear，onthestrengthofwhichhisonlyoccupationinlifehasbeentospendsix。Iaminhopes，however，thathisBankermaybreak，orthathemayenterintosomespeculationguaranteedtopaytwentypercent……for，Iamconvincedthatifhecouldonlyberuined，hisfortuneismade。BelindaBates，bosomfriendofmysister，andamostintellectual，amiable，anddelightfulgirl，gotthePictureRoom。Shehasafinegeniusforpoetry，combinedwithrealbusinessearnestness，andgoesin——touseanexpressionofAlfred’s——forWoman’smission，Woman’srights，Woman’swrongs，andeverythingthatiswoman’swithacapitalW，orisnotandoughttobe，orisandoughtnottobe。Mostpraiseworthy，mydear，andHeavenprosperyou！IwhisperedtoheronthefirstnightofmytakingleaveofheratthePicture-Roomdoor，butdon’toverdoit。

Andinrespectofthegreatnecessitythereis，mydarling，formoreemploymentsbeingwithinthereachofWomanthanourcivilisationhasasyetassignedtoher，don’tflyattheunfortunatemen，eventhosemenwhoareatfirstsightinyourway，asiftheywerethenaturaloppressorsofyoursex。for，trustme，Belinda，theydosometimesspendtheirwagesamongwivesanddaughters，sisters，mothers，aunts，andgrandmothers。andtheplayis，really，notALLWolfandRedRiding-Hood，buthasotherpartsinit。However，Idigress。

Belinda，asIhavementioned，occupiedthePictureRoom。Wehadbutthreeotherchambers：theCornerRoom，theCupboardRoom，andtheGardenRoom。Myoldfriend，JackGovernor，slunghishammock，ashecalledit，intheCornerRoom。IhavealwaysregardedJackasthefinest-lookingsailorthateversailed。Heisgraynow，butashandsomeashewasaquarterofacenturyago——

nay，handsomer。Aportly，cheery，well-builtfigureofabroad-

shoulderedman，withafranksmile，abrilliantdarkeye，andarichdarkeyebrow。Irememberthoseunderdarkerhair，andtheylookallthebetterfortheirsilversetting。HehasbeenwhereverhisUnionnamesakeflies，hasJack，andIhavemetoldshipmatesofhis，awayintheMediterraneanandontheothersideoftheAtlantic，whohavebeamedandbrightenedatthecasualmentionofhisname，andhavecried，YouknowJackGovernor？Thenyouknowaprinceofmen！Thatheis！Andsounmistakablyanavalofficer，thatifyouweretomeethimcomingoutofanEsquimauxsnow-hutinseal’sskin，youwouldbevaguelypersuadedhewasinfullnavaluniform。

Jackoncehadthatbrightcleareyeofhisonmysister。but，itfelloutthathemarriedanotherladyandtookhertoSouthAmerica，whereshedied。Thiswasadozenyearsagoormore。Hebroughtdownwithhimtoourhauntedhousealittlecaskofsaltbeef。for，heisalwaysconvincedthatallsaltbeefnotofhisownpickling，ismerecarrion，andinvariably，whenhegoestoLondon，packsapieceinhisportmanteau。HehadalsovolunteeredtobringwithhimoneNatBeaver，anoldcomradeofhis，captainofamerchantman。Mr。Beaver，withathick-setwoodenfaceandfigure，andapparentlyashardasablockallover，provedtobeanintelligentman，withaworldofwateryexperiencesinhim，andgreatpracticalknowledge。Attimes，therewasacuriousnervousnessabouthim，apparentlythelingeringresultofsomeoldillness。but，itseldomlastedmanyminutes。HegottheCupboardRoom，andlaytherenexttoMr。Undery，myfriendandsolicitor：

whocamedown，inanamateurcapacity，togothroughwithit，ashesaid，andwhoplayswhistbetterthanthewholeLawList，fromtheredcoveratthebeginningtotheredcoverattheend。

Ineverwashappierinmylife，andIbelieveitwastheuniversalfeelingamongus。JackGovernor，alwaysamanofwonderfulresources，wasChiefCook，andmadesomeofthebestdishesIeverate，includingunapproachablecurries。Mysisterwaspastrycookandconfectioner。StarlingandIwereCook’sMate，turnandturnabout，andonspecialoccasionsthechiefcookpressedMr。

Beaver。Wehadagreatdealofoutdoorsportandexercise，butnothingwasneglectedwithin，andtherewasnoill-humorormisunderstandingamongus，andoureveningsweresodelightfulthatwehadatleastonegoodreasonforbeingreluctanttogotobed。

Wehadafewnightalarmsinthebeginning。Onthefirstnight，I

wasknockedupbyJackwithamostwonderfulship’slanterninhishand，likethegillsofsomemonsterofthedeep，whoinformedmethathewasgoingalofttothemaintruck，tohavetheweathercockdown。ItwasastormynightandIremonstrated。butJackcalledmyattentiontoitsmakingasoundlikeacryofdespair，andsaidsomebodywouldbehailingaghostpresently，ifitwasn’tdone。So，uptothetopofthehouse，whereIcouldhardlystandforthewind，wewent，accompaniedbyMr。Beaver。andthereJack，lanternandall，withMr。Beaverafterhim，swarmeduptothetopofacupola，sometwodozenfeetabovethechimneys，andstooduponnothingparticular，coollyknockingtheweathercockoff，untiltheybothgotintosuchgoodspiritswiththewindandtheheight，thatIthoughttheywouldnevercomedown。Anothernight，theyturnedoutagain，andhadachimney-cowloff。Anothernight，theycutasobbingandgulpingwater-pipeaway。Anothernight，theyfoundoutsomethingelse。Onseveraloccasions，theyboth，inthecoolestmanner，simultaneouslydroppedoutoftheirrespectivebedroomwindows，handoverhandbytheircounterpanes，tooverhaulsomethingmysteriousinthegarden。

Theengagementamonguswasfaithfullykept，andnobodyrevealedanything。Allweknewwas，ifanyone’sroomwerehaunted，noonelookedtheworseforit。

TheforegoingstoryisparticularlyinterestingasillustratingtheleaningofDickens’smindtowardthespiritualisticandmysticalfanciescurrentinhistime，andthecounterbalanceofhiscommonsenseandfun。

Heprobablynevermadeuphisownmind，Mr。AndrewLangdeclaresinadiscussionofthisHauntedHousestory。Mr。Langsaysheoncetookpartinasimilarquest，andcanrecognizetheaccuracyofmostofDickens’sremarks。Indeed，eventopersonsnotontheleveloftheOddGirlineducation，thetemptationtoproduce’phenomena’forfunisallbutoverwhelming。Thatpeoplecommunicatehallucinationstoeachother’insomediseasedwaywithoutwords，’isamoderntheoryperhapsfirstformulatedherebyDickens。

TheSignalMan’sStory，whichfollows，islikewise，Mr。Langbelieves，probablybasedonsomerealstoryofthekind，someanecdoteofpremonitions。TherearescoresintherecordsoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch——TheEditor。

NO。1BRANCHLINE：THESIGNAL-MAN

Halloa！Belowthere！

Whenheheardavoicethuscallingtohim，hewasstandingatthedoorofhisbox，withaflaginhishand，furledrounditsshortpole。Onewouldhavethought，consideringthenatureoftheground，thathecouldnothavedoubtedfromwhatquarterthevoicecame。butinsteadoflookinguptowhereIstoodonthetopofthesteepcuttingnearlyoverhishead，heturnedhimselfabout，andlookeddowntheLine。Therewassomethingremarkableinhismannerofdoingso，thoughIcouldnothavesaidformylifewhat。ButI

knowitwasremarkableenoughtoattractmynotice，eventhoughhisfigurewasforeshortenedandshadowed，downinthedeeptrench，andminewashighabovehim，sosteepedintheglowofanangrysunset，thatIhadshadedmyeyeswithmyhandbeforeIsawhimatall。

Halloa！Below！

FromlookingdowntheLine，heturnedhimselfaboutagain，and，raisinghiseyes，sawmyfigurehighabovehim。

IsthereanypathbywhichIcancomedownandspeaktoyou？

Helookedupatmewithoutreplying，andIlookeddownathimwithoutpressinghimtoosoonwitharepetitionofmyidlequestion。Justthentherecameavaguevibrationintheearthandair，quicklychangingintoaviolentpulsation，andanoncomingrushthatcausedmetostartback，asthoughithadaforcetodrawmedown。Whensuchvaporasrosetomyheightfromthisrapidtrainhadpassedme，andwasskimmingawayoverthelandscape，I

lookeddownagain，andsawhimrefurlingtheflaghehadshownwhilethetrainwentby。

Irepeatedmyinquiry。Afterapause，duringwhichheseemedtoregardmewithfixedattention，hemotionedwithhisrolled-upflagtowardsapointonmylevel，sometwoorthreehundredyardsdistant。Icalleddowntohim，Allright！andmadeforthatpoint。There，bydintoflookingcloselyaboutme，Ifoundaroughzigzagdescendingpathnotchedout，whichIfollowed。

Thecuttingwasextremelydeep，andunusuallyprecipitate。Itwasmadethroughaclammystone，thatbecameoozierandwetterasI

wentdown。Forthesereasons，Ifoundthewaylongenoughtogivemetimetorecallasingularairofreluctanceorcompulsionwithwhichhehadpointedoutthepath。

WhenIcamedownlowenoughuponthezigzagdescenttoseehimagain，Isawthathewasstandingbetweentherailsonthewaybywhichthetrainhadlatelypassed，inanattitudeasifhewerewaitingformetoappear。Hehadhislefthandathischin，andthatleftelbowrestedonhisrighthand，crossedoverhisbreast。

HisattitudewasoneofsuchexpectationandwatchfulnessthatI

stoppedamoment，wonderingatit。

Iresumedmydownwardway，andsteppingoutupontheleveloftherailroad，anddrawingnearertohim，sawthathewasadark，sallowman，withadarkbeardandratherheavyeyebrows。HispostwasinassolitaryanddismalaplaceaseverIsaw。Oneitherside，adripping-wetwallofjaggedstone，excludingallviewbutastripofsky。theperspectiveonewayonlyacrookedprolongationofthisgreatdungeon。theshorterperspectiveintheotherdirectionterminatinginagloomyredlight，andthegloomierentrancetoablacktunnel，inwhosemassivearchitecturetherewasabarbarous，depressing，andforbiddingair。Solittlesunlighteverfounditswaytothisspot，thatithadanearthy，deadlysmell。andsomuchcoldwindrushedthroughit，thatitstruckchilltome，asifI

hadleftthenaturalworld。

Beforehestirred，Iwasnearenoughtohimtohavetouchedhim。

Noteventhenremovinghiseyesfrommine，hesteppedbackonestep，andliftedhishand。

Thiswasalonesomeposttooccupy(Isaid)，andithadrivetedmyattentionwhenIlookeddownfromupyonder。Avisitorwasararity，Ishouldsuppose。notanunwelcomerarity，Ihoped？Inme，hemerelysawamanwhohadbeenshutupwithinnarrowlimitsallhislife，andwho，beingatlastsetfree，hadanewly-awakenedinterestinthesegreatworks。TosuchpurposeIspoketohim。butIamfarfromsureofthetermsIused。for，besidesthatIamnothappyinopeninganyconversation，therewassomethinginthemanthatdauntedme。

Hedirectedamostcuriouslooktowardstheredlightnearthetunnel’smouth，andlookedallaboutit，asifsomethingweremissingfromit，andthenlookeditme。

Thatlightwaspartofhischarge？Wasitnot？

Heansweredinalowvoice，——Don’tyouknowitis？

Themonstrousthoughtcameintomymind，asIperusedthefixedeyesandthesaturnineface，thatthiswasaspirit，notaman。I

havespeculatedsince，whethertheremayhavebeeninfectioninhismind。

Inmyturn，Isteppedback。Butinmakingtheaction，Idetectedinhiseyessomelatentfearofme。Thisputthemonstrousthoughttoflight。

Youlookatme，Isaid，forcingasmile，asifyouhadadreadofme。

Iwasdoubtful，hereturned，whetherIhadseenyoubefore。

Where？

Hepointedtotheredlighthehadlookedat。

There？Isaid。

Intentlywatchfulofme，hereplied(butwithoutsound)，Yes。

Mygoodfellow，whatshouldIdothere？However，bethatasitmay，Ineverwasthere，youmayswear。

IthinkImay，herejoined。Yes。IamsureImay。

Hismannercleared，likemyown。Herepliedtomyremarkswithreadiness，andinwell-chosenwords。Hadhemuchtodothere？

Yes。thatwastosay，hehadenoughresponsibilitytobear。butexactnessandwatchfulnesswerewhatwasrequiredofhim，andofactualwork——manuallabor——hehadnexttonone。Tochangethatsignal，totrimthoselights，andtoturnthisironhandlenowandthen，wasallhehadtodounderthathead。RegardingthosemanylongandlonelyhoursofwhichIseemedtomakesomuch，hecouldonlysaythattheroutineofhislifehadshapeditselfintothatform，andhehadgrownusedtoit。Hehadtaughthimselfalanguagedownhere，——ifonlytoknowitbysight，andtohaveformedhisowncrudeideasofitspronunciation，couldbecalledlearningit。Hehadalsoworkedatfractionsanddecimals，andtriedalittlealgebra。buthewas，andhadbeenasaboy，apoorhandatfigures。Wasitnecessaryforhimwhenondutyalwaystoremaininthatchannelofdampair，andcouldheneverriseintothesunshinefrombetweenthosehighstonewalls？Why，thatdependedupontimesandcircumstances。UndersomeconditionstherewouldbelessupontheLinethanunderothers，andthesameheldgoodastocertainhoursofthedayandnight。Inbrightweather，hedidchooseoccasionsforgettingalittleabovetheselowershadows。but，beingatalltimesliabletobecalledbyhiselectricbell，andatsuchtimeslisteningforitwithredoubledanxiety，thereliefwaslessthanIwouldsuppose。

Hetookmeintohisbox，wheretherewasafire，adeskforanofficialbookinwhichhehadtomakecertainentries，atelegraphicinstrumentwithitsdial，face，andneedles，andthelittlebellofwhichhehadspoken。Onmytrustingthathewouldexcusetheremarkthathehadbeenwelleducated，and(IhopedI

mightsaywithoutoffence)perhapseducatedabovethatstation，heobservedthatinstancesofslightincongruityinsuchwisewouldrarelybefoundwantingamonglargebodiesofmen。thathehadhearditwassoinworkhouses，inthepoliceforce，eveninthatlastdesperateresource，thearmy。andthatheknewitwasso，moreorless，inanygreatrailwaystaff。Hehadbeen，whenyoung(ifI

couldbelieveit，sittinginthathut，——hescarcelycould)，astudentofnaturalphilosophy，andhadattendedlectures。buthehadrunwild，misusedhisopportunities，gonedown，andneverrisenagain。Hehadnocomplainttoofferaboutthat。Hehadmadehisbed，andhelayuponit。Itwasfartoolatetomakeanother。

AllthatIhaveherecondensedhesaidinaquietmanner，withhisgravedarkregardsdividedbetweenmeandthefire。Hethrewintheword，Sir，fromtimetotime，andespeciallywhenhereferredtohisyouth，——asthoughtorequestmetounderstandthatheclaimedtobenothingbutwhatIfoundhim。Hewasseveraltimesinterruptedbythelittlebell，andhadtoreadoffmessages，andsendreplies。Oncehehadtostandwithoutthedoor，anddisplayaflagasatrainpassed，andmakesomeverbalcommunicationtothedriver。Inthedischargeofhisduties，Iobservedhimtoberemarkablyexactandvigilant，breakingoffhisdiscourseatasyllable，andremainingsilentuntilwhathehadtodowasdone。

Inaword，Ishouldhavesetthismandownasoneofthesafestofmentobeemployedinthatcapacity，butforthecircumstancethatwhilehewasspeakingtomehetwicebrokeoffwithafallencolor，turnedhisfacetowardsthelittlebellwhenitdidNOTring，openedthedoorofthehut(whichwaskeptshuttoexcludetheunhealthydamp)，andlookedouttowardstheredlightnearthemouthofthetunnel。Onbothofthoseoccasions，hecamebacktothefirewiththeinexplicableairuponhimwhichIhadremarked，withoutbeingabletodefine，whenweweresofarasunder。

SaidI，whenIrosetoleavehim，YoualmostmakemethinkthatI

havemetwithacontentedman。

(IamafraidImustacknowledgethatIsaidittoleadhimon。)

IbelieveIusedtobeso，herejoined，inthelowvoiceinwhichhehadfirstspoken。butIamtroubled，sir，Iamtroubled。

Hewouldhaverecalledthewordsifhecould。Hehadsaidthem，however，andItookthemupquickly。

Withwhat？Whatisyourtrouble？

Itisverydifficulttoimpart，sir。Itisvery，verydifficulttospeakof。Ifeveryoumakemeanothervisit，Iwilltrytotellyou。

ButIexpresslyintendtomakeyouanothervisit。Say，whenshallitbe？

Igooffearlyinthemorning，andIshallbeonagainattento-

morrownight，sir。

Iwillcomeateleven。

Hethankedme，andwentoutatthedoorwithme。I’llshowmywhitelight，sir，hesaid，inhispeculiarlowvoice，tillyouhavefoundthewayup。Whenyouhavefoundit，don’tcallout！

Andwhenyouareatthetop，don’tcallout！

Hismannerseemedtomaketheplacestrikecoldertome，butIsaidnomorethan，Verywell。

Andwhenyoucomedownto-morrownight，don’tcallout！Letmeaskyouapartingquestion。Whatmadeyoucry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’to-night？

Heavenknows，saidI。Icriedsomethingtothateffect——

Nottothateffect，sir。Thoseweretheverywords。Iknowthemwell。

Admitthoseweretheverywords。Isaidthem，nodoubt，becauseI

sawyoubelow。

Fornootherreason？

WhatotherreasoncouldIpossiblyhave？

Youhadnofeelingthattheywereconveyedtoyouinanysupernaturalway？

No。

Hewishedmegood-night，andhelduphislight。IwalkedbythesideofthedownLineofrails(withaverydisagreeablesensationofatraincomingbehindme)untilIfoundthepath。Itwaseasiertomountthantodescend，andIgotbacktomyinnwithoutanyadventure。

Punctualtomyappointment，Iplacedmyfootonthefirstnotchofthezigzagnextnight，asthedistantclockswerestrikingeleven。

Hewaswaitingformeatthebottom，withhiswhitelighton。I

havenotcalledout，Isaid，whenwecameclosetogether。mayI

speaknow？Byallmeans，sir。Good-night，then，andhere’smyhand。Good-night，sir，andhere’smine。Withthatwewalkedsidebysidetohisbox，enteredit，closedthedoor，andsatdownbythefire。

Ihavemadeupmymind，sir，hebegan，bendingforwardassoonaswewereseated，andspeakinginatonebutalittleaboveawhisper，thatyoushallnothavetoaskmetwicewhattroublesme。

Itookyouforsomeoneelseyesterdayevening。Thattroublesme。

Thatmistake？

No。Thatsomeoneelse。

Whoisit？

Idon’tknow。

Likeme？

Idon’tknow。Ineversawtheface。Theleftarmisacrosstheface，andtherightarmiswaved，——violentlywaved。Thisway。

Ifollowedhisactionwithmyeyes，anditwastheactionofanarmgesticulating，withtheutmostpassionandvehemence，ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！

Onemoonlightnight，saidtheman，Iwassittinghere，whenI

heardavoicecry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’Istartedup，lookedfromthatdoor，andsawthisSomeoneelsestandingbytheredlightnearthetunnel，wavingasIjustnowshowedyou。Thevoiceseemedhoarsewithshouting，anditcried，’Lookout！Lookout！’Andthenattain，’Halloa！Belowthere！Lookout！’Icaughtupmylamp，turneditonred，andrantowardsthefigure，calling，’What’swrong？Whathashappened？Where？’Itstoodjustoutsidetheblacknessofthetunnel。IadvancedsocloseuponitthatI

wonderedatitskeepingthesleeveacrossitseyes。Iranrightupatit，andhadmyhandstretchedouttopullthesleeveaway，whenitwasgone。

Intothetunnel？saidI。

No。Iranonintothetunnel，fivehundredyards。Istopped，andheldmylampabovemyhead，andsawthefiguresofthemeasureddistance，andsawthewetstainsstealingdownthewallsandtricklingthroughthearch。IranoutagainfasterthanIhadrunin(forIhadamortalabhorrenceoftheplaceuponme)，andI

lookedallroundtheredlightwithmyownredlight，andIwentuptheironladdertothegalleryatopofit，andIcamedownagain，andranbackhere。Itelegraphedbothways，’Analarmhasbeengiven。Isanythingwrong？’Theanswercameback，bothways，’Allwell。’

Resistingtheslowtouchofafrozenfingertracingoutmyspine，I

showedhimhowthatthisfiguremustbeadeceptionofhissenseofsight。andhowthatfigures，originatingindiseaseofthedelicatenervesthatministertothefunctionsoftheeye，wereknowntohaveoftentroubledpatients，someofwhomhadbecomeconsciousofthenatureoftheiraffliction，andhadevenproveditbyexperimentsuponthemselves。Astoanimaginarycry，saidI，dobutlistenforamomenttothewindinthisunnaturalvalleywhilewespeaksolow，andtothewildharpitmakesofthetelegraphwires。

Thatwasallverywell，hereturned，afterwehadsatlisteningforawhile，andheoughttoknowsomethingofthewindandthewires，——

hewhosooftenpassedlongwinternightsthere，aloneandwatching。Buthewouldbegtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。

Iaskedhispardon，andheslowlyaddedthesewords，touchingmyarm——

WithinsixhoursaftertheAppearance，thememorableaccidentonthisLinehappened，andwithintenhoursthedeadandwoundedwerebroughtalongthroughthetunneloverthespotwherethefigurehadstood。

Adisagreeableshuddercreptoverme，butIdidmybestagainstit。

Itwasnottobedenied，Irejoined，thatthiswasaremarkablecoincidence，calculateddeeplytoimpresshismind。Butitwasunquestionablethatremarkablecoincidencesdidcontinuallyoccur，andtheymustbetakenintoaccountindealingwithsuchasubject。

ThoughtobesureImustadmit，Iadded(forIthoughtIsawthathewasgoingtobringtheobjectiontobearuponme)，menofcommonsensedidnotallowmuchforcoincidencesinmakingtheordinarycalculationsoflife。

Heagainbeggedtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。

Iagainbeggedhispardonforbeingbetrayedintointerruptions。

This，hesaid，againlayinghishanduponmyarm，andglancingoverhisshoulderwithholloweyes，wasjustayearago。Sixorsevenmonthspassed，andIhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseandshock，whenonemorning，asthedaywasbreaking，I，standingatthedoor，lookedtowardstheredlight，andsawthespectreagain。

Hestopped，withafixedlookatme。

Diditcryout？

No。Itwassilent。

Diditwaveitsarm？

No。Itleanedagainsttheshaftofthelight，withbothhandsbeforetheface。Likethis。

OncemoreIfollowedhisactionwithmyeyes。Itwasanactionofmourning。Ihaveseensuchanattitudeinstonefiguresontombs。

Didyougouptoit？

Icameinandsatdown，partlytocollectmythoughts，partlybecauseithadturnedmefaint。WhenIwenttothedooragain，daylightwasaboveme，andtheghostwasgone。

Butnothingfollowed？Nothingcameofthis？

Hetouchedmeonthearmwithhisforefingertwiceorthricegivingaghastlynodeachtime：-

Thatveryday，asatraincameoutofthetunnel，Inoticed，atacarriagewindowonmyside，whatlookedlikeaconfusionofhandsandheads，andsomethingwaved。Isawitjustintimetosignalthedriver，Stop！Heshutoff，andputhisbrakeon，butthetraindriftedpasthereahundredandfiftyyardsormore。Iranafterit，and，asIwentalong，heardterriblescreamsandcries。A

beautifulyoungladyhaddiedinstantaneouslyinoneofthecompartments，andwasbroughtinhere，andlaiddownonthisfloorbetweenus。

InvoluntarilyIpushedmychairback，asIlookedfromtheboardsatwhichhepointedtohimself。

True，sir。True。Preciselyasithappened，soItellityou。

Icouldthinkofnothingtosay，toanypurpose，andmymouthwasverydry。Thewindandthewirestookupthestorywithalonglamentingwail。

Heresumed。Now，sir，markthis，andjudgehowmymindistroubled。Thespectrecamebackaweekago。Eversince，ithasbeenthere，nowandagain，byfitsandstarts。

Atthelight？

AttheDanger-light。

Whatdoesitseemtodo？

Herepeated，ifpossiblewithincreasedpassionandvehemence，thatformergesticulationof，ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读