Thenhewenton。Ihavenopeaceorrestforit。Itcallstome，formanyminutestogether，inanagonisedmanner，’Belowthere！

Lookout！Lookout！’Itstandswavingtome。Itringsmylittlebell——

Icaughtatthat。DiditringyourbellyesterdayeveningwhenI

washere，andyouwenttothedoor？

Twice。

Why，see，saidI，howyourimaginationmisleadsyou。Myeyeswereonthebell，andmyearswereopentothebell，andifIamalivingman，itdidNOTringatthosetimes。No，noratanyothertime，exceptwhenitwasrunginthenaturalcourseofphysicalthingsbythestationcommunicatingwithyou。

Heshookhishead。Ihavenevermadeamistakeastothatyet，sir。Ihaveneverconfusedthespectre’sringwiththeman’s。Theghost’sringisastrangevibrationinthebellthatitderivesfromnothingelse，andIhavenotassertedthatthebellstirstotheeye。Idon’twonderthatyoufailedtohearit。ButIheardit。

Anddidthespectreseemtobethere，whenyoulookedout？

ItWASthere。

Bothtimes？

Herepeatedfirmly：Bothtimes。

Willyoucometothedoorwithme，andlookforitnow？

Hebithisunderlipasthoughheweresomewhatunwilling，butarose。Iopenedthedoor，andstoodonthestep，whilehestoodinthedoorway。TherewastheDanger-light。Therewasthedismalmouthofthetunnel。Therewerethehigh，wetstonewallsofthecutting。Therewerethestarsabovethem。

Doyouseeit？Iaskedhim，takingparticularnoteofhisface。

Hiseyeswereprominentandstrained，butnotverymuchmoreso，perhaps，thanmyownhadbeenwhenIhaddirectedthemearnestlytowardsthesamespot。

No，heanswered。Itisnotthere。

Agreed，saidI。

Wewentinagain，shutthedoor，andresumedourseats。Iwasthinkinghowbesttoimprovethisadvantage，ifitmightbecalledone，whenhetookuptheconversationinsuchamatter-of-courseway，soassumingthattherecouldbenoseriousquestionoffactbetweenus，thatIfeltmyselfplacedintheweakestofpositions。

Bythistimeyouwillfullyunderstand，sir，hesaid，thatwhattroublesmesodreadfullyisthequestion，Whatdoesthespectremean？

Iwasnotsure，Itoldhim，thatIdidfullyunderstand。

Whatisitswarningagainst？hesaid，ruminating，withhiseyesonthefire，andonlybytimesturningthemonme。Whatisthedanger？Whereisthedanger？ThereisdangeroverhangingsomewhereontheLine。Somedreadfulcalamitywillhappen。Itisnottobedoubtedthisthirdtime，afterwhathasgonebefore。ButsurelythisisacruelhauntingofME。WhatcanIdo？

Hepulledouthishandkerchief，andwipedthedropsfromhisheatedforehead。

IfItelegraphDanger，oneithersideofme，oronboth，Icangivenoreasonforit，hewenton，wipingthepalmsofhishands。

Ishouldgetintotrouble，anddonogood。TheywouldthinkIwasmad。Thisisthewayitwouldwork，——Message：’Danger！Takecare！’Answer：’WhatDanger？Where？’Message：’Don’tknow。

But，forGod’ssake，takecare！’Theywoulddisplaceme。Whatelsecouldtheydo？

Hispainofmindwasmostpitiabletosee。Itwasthementaltortureofaconscientiousman，oppressedbeyondendurancebyanunintelligibleresponsibilityinvolvinglife。

WhenitfirststoodundertheDanger-light，hewenton，puttinghisdarkhairbackfromhishead，anddrawinghishandsoutwardacrossandacrosshistemplesinanextremityoffeverishdistress，whynottellmewherethataccidentwastohappen，——ifitmusthappen？Whynottellmehowitcouldbeaverted，——ifitcouldhavebeenaverted？Whenonitssecondcomingithiditsface，whynottellme，instead，’Sheisgoingtodie。Letthemkeepherathome’？Ifitcame，onthosetwooccasions，onlytoshowmethatitswarningsweretrue，andsotopreparemeforthethird，whynotwarnmeplainlynow？AndI，Lordhelpme！Amerepoorsignal-manonthissolitarystation！Whynotgotosomebodywithcredittobebelieved，andpowertoact？

WhenIsawhiminthisstate，Isawthatforthepoorman’ssake，aswellasforthepublicsafety，whatIhadtodoforthetimewastocomposehismind。Therefore，settingasideallquestionofrealityorunrealitybetweenus，Irepresentedtohimthatwhoeverthoroughlydischargedhisdutymustdowell，andthatatleastitwashiscomfortthatheunderstoodhisduty，thoughhedidnotunderstandtheseconfoundingAppearances。InthiseffortI

succeededfarbetterthanintheattempttoreasonhimoutofhisconviction。Hebecamecalm。theoccupationsincidentaltohispostasthenightadvancedbegantomakelargerdemandsonhisattention：andIlefthimattwointhemorning。Ihadofferedtostaythroughthenight，buthewouldnothearofit。

ThatImorethanoncelookedbackattheredlightasIascendedthepathway，thatIdidnotliketheredlight，andthatIshouldhavesleptbutpoorlyifmybedhadbeenunderit，Iseenoreasontoconceal。NordidIlikethetwosequencesoftheaccidentandthedeadgirl。Iseenoreasontoconcealthateither。

ButwhatranmostinmythoughtswastheconsiderationhowoughtI

toact，havingbecometherecipientofthisdisclosure？Ihadprovedthemantobeintelligent，vigilant，painstaking，andexact。

buthowlongmightheremainso，inhisstateofmind？Thoughinasubordinateposition，stillheheldamostimportanttrust，andwouldI(forinstance)liketostakemyownlifeonthechancesofhiscontinuingtoexecuteitwithprecision？

UnabletoovercomeafeelingthattherewouldbesomethingtreacherousinmycommunicatingwhathehadtoldmetohissuperiorsintheCompany，withoutfirstbeingplainwithhimselfandproposingamiddlecoursetohim，Iultimatelyresolvedtooffertoaccompanyhim(otherwisekeepinghissecretforthepresent)tothewisestmedicalpractitionerwecouldhearofinthoseparts，andtotakehisopinion。Achangeinhistimeofdutywouldcomeroundnextnight，hehadapprisedme，andhewouldbeoffanhourortwoaftersunrise，andonagainsoonaftersunset。

Ihadappointedtoreturnaccordingly。

Nexteveningwasalovelyevening，andIwalkedoutearlytoenjoyit。ThesunwasnotyetquitedownwhenItraversedthefield-pathnearthetopofthedeepcutting。Iwouldextendmywalkforanhour，Isaidtomyself，halfanhouronandhalfanhourback，anditwouldthenbetimetogotomysignal-man’sbox。

Beforepursuingmystroll，Isteppedtothebrink，andmechanicallylookeddown，fromthepointfromwhichIhadfirstseenhim。I

cannotdescribethethrillthatseizeduponme，when，closeatthemouthofthetunnel，Isawtheappearanceofaman，withhisleftsleeveacrosshiseyes，passionatelywavinghisrightarm。

Thenamelesshorrorthatoppressedmepassedinamoment，forinamomentIsawthatthisappearanceofamanwasamanindeed，andthattherewasalittlegroupofothermen，standingatashortdistance，towhomheseemedtoberehearsingthegesturehemade。

TheDanger-lightwasnotyetlighted。Againstitsshaft，alittlelowhut，entirelynewtome，hadbeenmadeofsomewoodensupportsandtarpaulin。Itlookednobiggerthanabed。

Withanirresistiblesensethatsomethingwaswrong，——withaflashingself-reproachfulfearthatfatalmischiefhadcomeofmyleavingthemanthere，andcausingnoonetobesenttooverlookorcorrectwhathedid，——IdescendedthenotchedpathwithallthespeedIcouldmake。

Whatisthematter？Iaskedthemen。

Signal-mankilledthismorning，sir。

Notthemanbelongingtothatbox？

Yes，sir。

NotthemanIknow？

Youwillrecognisehim，sir，ifyouknewhim，saidthemanwhospokefortheothers，solemnlyuncoveringhisownhead，andraisinganendofthetarpaulin，forhisfaceisquitecomposed。

Oh，howdidthishappen，howdidthishappen？Iasked，turningfromonetoanotherasthehutclosedinagain。

Hewascutdownbyanengine，sir。NomaninEnglandknewhisworkbetter。Butsomehowhewasnotclearoftheouterrail。Itwasjustatbroadday。Hehadstruckthelight，andhadthelampinhishand。Astheenginecameoutofthetunnel，hisbackwastowardsher，andshecuthimdown。Thatmandroveher，andwasshowinghowithappened。Showthegentleman，Tom。

Theman，whoworearoughdarkdress，steppedbacktohisformerplaceatthemouthofthetunnel。

Comingroundthecurveinthetunnel，sir，hesaid，Isawhimattheend，likeasifIsawhimdownaperspective-glass。Therewasnotimetocheckspeed，andIknewhimtobeverycareful。Ashedidn’tseemtotakeheedofthewhistle，Ishutitoffwhenwewererunningdownuponhim，andcalledtohimasloudasIcouldcall。

Whatdidyousay？

Isaid，’Belowthere！Lookout！Lookout！ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！’

Istarted。

Ah！itwasadreadfultime，sir。Ineverleftoffcallingtohim。

Iputthisarmbeforemyeyesnottosee，andIwavedthisarmtothelast。butitwasnouse。

Withoutprolongingthenarrativetodwellonanyoneofitscuriouscircumstancesmorethanonanyother，Imay，inclosingit，pointoutthecoincidencethatthewarningoftheEngine-Driverincluded，notonlythewordswhichtheunfortunateSignal-manhadrepeatedtomeashauntinghim，butalsothewordswhichImyself——nothe——hadattached，andthatonlyinmyownmind，tothegesticulationhehadimitated。

BulwerLyttonTheHauntedandtheHaunters。

Or，TheHouseandtheBrainAfriendofmine，whoisamanoflettersandaphilosopher，saidtomeoneday，asifbetweenjestandearnest，Fancy！sincewelastmetIhavediscoveredahauntedhouseinthemidstofLondon。

Reallyhaunted，——andbywhat？——ghosts？

Well，Ican’tanswerthatquestion。allIknowisthis：sixweeksagomywifeandIwereinsearchofafurnishedapartment。Passingaquietstreet，wesawonthewindowofoneofthehousesabill，’Apartments，Furnished。’Thesituationsuitedus。weenteredthehouse，likedtherooms，engagedthembytheweek，——andleftthemthethirdday。Nopoweronearthcouldhavereconciledmywifetostaylonger。andIdon’twonderatit。

Whatdidyousee？

Excuseme。Ihavenodesiretoberidiculedasasuperstitiousdreamer，——nor，ontheotherhand，couldIaskyoutoacceptonmyaffirmationwhatyouwouldholdtobeincrediblewithouttheevidenceofyourownsenses。Letmeonlysaythis，itwasnotsomuchwhatwesaworheard(inwhichyoumightfairlysupposethatwewerethedupesofourownexcitedfancy，orthevictimsofimpostureinothers)thatdroveusaway，asitwasanindefinableterrorwhichseizedbothofuswheneverwepassedbythedoorofacertainunfurnishedroom，inwhichweneithersawnorheardanything。Andthestrangestmarvelofallwas，thatforonceinmylifeIagreedwithmywife，sillywomanthoughshebe，——andallowed，afterthethirdnight，thatitwasimpossibletostayafourthinthathouse。Accordingly，onthefourthmorningI

summonedthewomanwhokeptthehouseandattendedonus，andtoldherthattheroomsdidnotquitesuitus，andwewouldnotstayoutourweek。Shesaiddryly，’Iknowwhy。youhavestayedlongerthananyotherlodger。Feweverstayedasecondnight。nonebeforeyouathird。ButItakeittheyhavebeenverykindtoyou。’

’They，——who？’Iasked，affectingtosmile。

’Why，theywhohauntthehouse，whoevertheyare。Idon’tmindthem。Irememberthemmanyyearsago，whenIlivedinthishouse，notasaservant。butIknowtheywillbethedeathofmesomeday。

Idon’tcare，——I’mold，andmustdiesoonanyhow。andthenIshallbewiththem，andinthishousestill。’Thewomanspokewithsodrearyacalmnessthatreallyitwasasortofawethatpreventedmyconversingwithherfurther。Ipaidformyweek，andtoohappyweremywifeandItogetoffsocheaply。

Youexcitemycuriosity，saidI。nothingIshouldlikebetterthantosleepinahauntedhouse。Praygivemetheaddressoftheonewhichyouleftsoignominiously。

Myfriendgavemetheaddress。andwhenweparted，Iwalkedstraighttowardthehousethusindicated。

ItissituatedonthenorthsideofOxfordStreet，inadullbutrespectablethoroughfare。Ifoundthehouseshutup，——nobillatthewindow，andnoresponsetomyknock。AsIwasturningaway，abeer-boy，collectingpewterpotsattheneighboringareas，saidtome，Doyouwantanyoneatthathouse，sir？

Yes，Ihearditwastobelet。

Let！——why，thewomanwhokeptitisdead，——hasbeendeadthesethreeweeks，andnoonecanbefoundtostaythere，thoughMr。J——

offeredeversomuch。Heofferedmother，whocharsforhim，onepoundaweekjusttoopenandshutthewindows，andshewouldnot。

Wouldnot！——andwhy？

Thehouseishaunted。andtheoldwomanwhokeptitwasfounddeadinherbed，withhereyeswideopen。Theysaythedevilstrangledher。

Pooh！YouspeakofMr。J。Ishetheownerofthehouse？

Yes。

Wheredoeshelive？

InG——Street，No。

Whatishe？Inanybusiness？

No，sir，——nothingparticular。asinglegentleman。

Igavethepotboythegratuityearnedbyhisliberalinformation，andproceededtoMr。J——，inG——Street，whichwasclosebythestreetthatboastedthehauntedhouse。IwasluckyenoughtofindMr。J——athome，——anelderlymanwithintelligentcountenanceandprepossessingmanners。

Icommunicatedmynameandmybusinessfrankly。IsaidIheardthehousewasconsideredtobehaunted，thatIhadastrongdesiretoexamineahousewithsoequivocalareputation。thatIshouldbegreatlyobligedifhewouldallowmetohireit，thoughonlyforanight。Iwaswillingtopayforthatprivilegewhateverhemightbeinclinedtoask。Sir，saidMr。J——，withgreatcourtesy，thehouseisatyourservice，forasshortoraslongatimeasyouplease。Rentisoutofthequestion，——theobligationwillbeonmysideshouldyoubeabletodiscoverthecauseofthestrangephenomenawhichatpresentdepriveitofallvalue。Icannotletit，forIcannotevengetaservanttokeepitinorderoranswerthedoor。Unluckilythehouseishaunted，ifImayusethatexpression，notonlybynight，butbyday。thoughatnightthedisturbancesareofamoreunpleasantandsometimesofamorealarmingcharacter。ThepooroldwomanwhodiedinitthreeweeksagowasapauperwhomItookoutofaworkhouse。forinherchildhoodshehadbeenknowntosomeofmyfamily，andhadoncebeeninsuchgoodcircumstancesthatshehadrentedthathouseofmyuncle。Shewasawomanofsuperioreducationandstrongmind，andwastheonlypersonIcouldeverinducetoremaininthehouse。

Indeed，sinceherdeath，whichwassudden，andthecoroner’sinquest，whichgaveitanotorietyintheneighborhood，Ihavesodespairedoffindinganypersontotakechargeofthehouse，muchmoreatenant，thatIwouldwillinglyletitrentfreeforayeartoanyonewhowouldpayitsratesandtaxes。

Howlongisitsincethehouseacquiredthissinistercharacter？

ThatIcanscarcelytellyou，butverymanyyearssince。TheoldwomanIspokeof，saiditwashauntedwhensherenteditbetweenthirtyandfortyyearsago。Thefactis，thatmylifehasbeenspentintheEastIndies，andinthecivilserviceoftheCompany。

IreturnedtoEnglandlastyear，oninheritingthefortuneofanuncle，amongwhosepossessionswasthehouseinquestion。Ifounditshutupanduninhabited。Iwastoldthatitwashaunted，thatnoonewouldinhabitit。Ismiledatwhatseemedtomesoidleastory。Ispentsomemoneyinrepairingit，addedtoitsold-

fashionedfurnitureafewmodernarticles，——advertisedit，andobtainedalodgerforayear。Hewasacolonelonhalfpay。Hecameinwithhisfamily，asonandadaughter，andfourorfiveservants：theyallleftthehousethenextday。and，althougheachofthemdeclaredthathehadseensomethingdifferentfromthatwhichhadscaredtheothers，asomethingstillwasequallyterribletoall。Ireallycouldnotinconsciencesue，norevenblame，thecolonelforbreachofagreement。ThenIputintheoldwomanI

havespokenof，andshewasempoweredtoletthehouseinapartments。Ineverhadonelodgerwhostayedmorethanthreedays。Idonottellyoutheirstories，——tonotwolodgershavetherebeenexactlythesamephenomenarepeated。Itisbetterthatyoushouldjudgeforyourself，thanenterthehousewithanimaginationinfluencedbypreviousnarratives。onlybepreparedtoseeandtohearsomethingorother，andtakewhateverprecautionsyouyourselfplease。

Haveyouneverhadacuriosityyourselftopassanightinthathouse？

Yes。Ipassednotanight，butthreehoursinbroaddaylightaloneinthathouse。Mycuriosityisnotsatisfied，butitisquenched。Ihavenodesiretorenewtheexperiment。Youcannotcomplain，yousee，sir，thatIamnotsufficientlycandid。andunlessyourinterestbeexceedinglyeagerandyournervesunusuallystrong，Ihonestlyadd，thatIadviseyouNOTtopassanightinthathouse。

MyinterestISexceedinglykeen，saidI。andthoughonlyacowardwillboastofhisnervesinsituationswhollyunfamiliartohim，yetmynerveshavebeenseasonedinsuchvarietyofdangerthatIhavetherighttorelyonthem，——eveninahauntedhouse。

Mr。J——saidverylittlemore。hetookthekeysofthehouseoutofhisbureau，gavethemtome，——and，thankinghimcordiallyforhisfrankness，andhisurbaneconcessiontomywish，Icarriedoffmyprize。

Impatientfortheexperiment，assoonasIreachedhome，Isummonedmyconfidentialservant，——ayoungmanofgayspirits，fearlesstemper，andasfreefromsuperstitiousprejudiceasanyoneIcouldthinkof。

F——，saidI，yourememberinGermanyhowdisappointedwewereatnotfindingaghostinthatoldcastle，whichwassaidtobehauntedbyaheadlessapparition？Well，IhaveheardofahouseinLondonwhich，Ihavereasontohope，isdecidedlyhaunted。Imeantosleepthereto-night。FromwhatIhear，thereisnodoubtthatsomethingwillallowitselftobeseenortobeheard，——something，perhaps，excessivelyhorrible。DoyouthinkifItakeyouwithme，Imayrelyonyourpresenceofmind，whatevermayhappen？

Oh，sir，praytrustme，answeredF——，grinningwithdelight。

Verywell。thenherearethekeysofthehouse，——thisistheaddress。Gonow，——selectformeanybedroomyouplease。andsincethehousehasnotbeeninhabitedforweeks，makeupagoodfire，airthebedwell，——see，ofcourse，thattherearecandlesaswellasfuel。Takewithyoumyrevolverandmydagger，——somuchformyweapons。armyourselfequallywell。andifwearenotamatchforadozenghosts，weshallbebutasorrycoupleofEnglishmen。

IwasengagedfortherestofthedayonbusinesssourgentthatI

hadnotleisuretothinkmuchonthenocturnaladventuretowhichI

hadplightedmyhonor。Idinedalone，andverylate，andwhiledining，read，asismyhabit。IselectedoneofthevolumesofMacaulay’sEssays。IthoughttomyselfthatIwouldtakethebookwithme。therewassomuchofhealthfulnessinthestyle，andpracticallifeinthesubjects，thatitwouldserveasanantidoteagainsttheinfluencesofsuperstitiousfancy。

Accordingly，abouthalf-pastnine，Iputthebookintomypocket，andstrolledleisurelytowardthehauntedhouse。Itookwithmeafavoritedog：anexceedinglysharp，bold，andvigilantbullterrier，——adogfondofprowlingaboutstrange，ghostlycornersandpassagesatnightinsearchofrats。adogofdogsforaghost。

Ireachedthehouse，knocked，andmyservantopenedwithacheerfulsmile。

Wedidnotstaylonginthedrawing-rooms，——infact，theyfeltsodampandsochillythatIwasgladtogettothefireupstairs。Welockedthedoorsofthedrawing-rooms，——aprecautionwhich，I

shouldobserve，wehadtakenwithalltheroomswehadsearchedbelow。Thebedroommyservanthadselectedformewasthebestonthefloor，——alargeone，withtwowindowsfrontingthestreet。Thefour-postedbed，whichtookupnoinconsiderablespace，wasoppositetothefire，whichburnedclearandbright。adoorinthewalltotheleft，betweenthebedandthewindow，communicatedwiththeroomwhichmyservantappropriatedtohimself。Thislastwasasmallroomwithasofabed，andhadnocommunicationwiththelandingplace，——nootherdoorbutthatwhichconductedtothebedroomIwastooccupy。Oneithersideofmyfireplacewasacupboardwithoutlocks，flushwiththewall，andcoveredwiththesamedull-brownpaper。Weexaminedthesecupboards，——onlyhookstosuspendfemaledresses，nothingelse。wesoundedthewalls，——

evidentlysolid，theouterwallsofthebuilding。Havingfinishedthesurveyoftheseapartments，warmedmyselfafewmoments，andlightedmycigar，Ithen，stillaccompaniedbyF——，wentforthtocompletemyreconnoiter。Inthelandingplacetherewasanotherdoor。itwasclosedfirmly。Sir，saidmyservant，insurprise，IunlockedthisdoorwithalltheotherswhenIfirstcame。itcannothavegotlockedfromtheinside，for——

Beforehehadfinishedhissentence，thedoor，whichneitherofusthenwastouching，openedquietlyofitself。Welookedateachotherasingleinstant。Thesamethoughtseizedboth，——somehumanagencymightbedetectedhere。Irushedinfirst，myservantfollowed。Asmall，blank，drearyroomwithoutfurniture。afewemptyboxesandhampersinacorner。asmallwindow。theshuttersclosed。notevenafireplace。nootherdoorbutthatbywhichwehadentered。nocarpetonthefloor，andthefloorseemedveryold，uneven，worm-eaten，mendedhereandthere，aswasshownbythewhiterpatchesonthewood。butnolivingbeing，andnovisibleplaceinwhichalivingbeingcouldhavehidden。Aswestoodgazinground，thedoorbywhichwehadenteredclosedasquietlyasithadbeforeopened。wewereimprisoned。

ForthefirsttimeIfeltacreepofindefinablehorror。Notsomyservant。Why，theydon’tthinktotrapus，sir。Icouldbreakthattrumperydoorwithakickofmyfoot。

Tryfirstifitwillopentoyourhand，saidI，shakingoffthevagueapprehensionthathadseizedme，whileIunclosetheshuttersandseewhatiswithout。

Iunbarredtheshutters，——thewindowlookedonthelittlebackyardIhavebeforedescribed。therewasnoledgewithout，——nothingtobreakthesheerdescentofthewall。Nomangettingoutofthatwindowwouldhavefoundanyfootingtillhehadfallenonthestonesbelow。

F——，meanwhile，wasvainlyattemptingtoopenthedoor。Henowturnedroundtomeandaskedmypermissiontouseforce。AndI

shouldherestate，injusticetotheservant，that，farfromevincinganysuperstitiousterrors，hisnerve，composure，andevengayetyamidstcircumstancessoextraordinary，compelledmyadmiration，andmademecongratulatemyselfonhavingsecuredacompanionineverywayfittedtotheoccasion。Iwillinglygavehimthepermissionherequired。Butthoughhewasaremarkablystrongman，hisforcewasasidleashismilderefforts。thedoordidnotevenshaketohisstoutestkick。Breathlessandpanting，hedesisted。Ithentriedthedoormyself，equallyinvain。AsI

ceasedfromtheeffort，againthatcreepofhorrorcameoverme。

butthistimeitwasmorecoldandstubborn。Ifeltasifsomestrangeandghastlyexhalationwererisingupfromthechinksofthatruggedfloor，andfillingtheatmospherewithavenomousinfluencehostiletohumanlife。Thedoornowveryslowlyandquietlyopenedasofitsownaccord。Weprecipitatedourselvesintothelandingplace。Webothsawalarge，palelight——aslargeasthehumanfigure，butshapelessandunsubstantial——movebeforeus，andascendthestairsthatledfromthelandingintotheattics。Ifollowedthelight，andmyservantfollowedme。Itentered，totherightofthelanding，asmallgarret，ofwhichthedoorstoodopen。Ienteredinthesameinstant。Thelightthencollapsedintoasmallglobule，exceedinglybrilliantandvivid，restedamomentonabedinthecorner，quivered，andvanished。Weapproachedthebedandexaminedit，——ahalf-tester，suchasiscommonlyfoundinatticsdevotedtoservants。Onthedrawersthatstoodnearitweperceivedanoldfadedsilkkerchief，withtheneedlestillleftinarenthalfrepaired。Thekerchiefwascoveredwithdust。probablyithadbelongedtotheoldwomanwhohadlastdiedinthathouse，andthismighthavebeenhersleepingroom。Ihadsufficientcuriositytoopenthedrawers：therewereafewoddsandendsoffemaledress，andtwoletterstiedroundwithanarrowribbonoffadedyellow。Itookthelibertytopossessmyselfoftheletters。Wefoundnothingelseintheroomworthnoticing，——nordidthelightreappear。butwedistinctlyheard，asweturnedtogo，apatteringfootfallonthefloor，justbeforeus。

Wewentthroughtheotherattics(inallfour)，thefootfallstillprecedingus。Nothingtobeseen，——nothingbutthefootfallheard。

Ihadthelettersinmyhand。justasIwasdescendingthestairsI

distinctlyfeltmywristseized，andafaint，softeffortmadetodrawthelettersfrommyclasp。Ionlyheldthemthemoretightly，andtheeffortceased。

Weregainedthebedchamberappropriatedtomyself，andIthenremarkedthatmydoghadnotfolloweduswhenwehadleftit。Hewasthrustinghimselfclosetothefire，andtrembling。Iwasimpatienttoexaminetheletters。andwhileIreadthem，myservantopenedalittleboxinwhichhehaddepositedtheweaponsIhadorderedhimtobring，tookthemout，placedthemonatablecloseatmybedhead，andthenoccupiedhimselfinsoothingthedog，who，however，seemedtoheedhimverylittle。

Theletterswereshort，——theyweredated。thedatesexactlythirty-

fiveyearsago。Theywereevidentlyfromalovertohismistress，orahusbandtosomeyoungwife。Notonlythetermsofexpression，butadistinctreferencetoaformervoyage，indicatedthewritertohavebeenaseafarer。Thespellingandhandwritingwerethoseofamanimperfectlyeducated，butstillthelanguageitselfwasforcible。Intheexpressionsofendearmenttherewasakindofrough，wildlove。buthereandthereweredarkunintelligiblehintsatsomesecretnotoflove，——somesecretthatseemedofcrime。Weoughttoloveeachother，wasoneofthesentencesIremember，forhoweveryoneelsewouldexecrateusifallwasknown。Again：

Don’tletanyonebeinthesameroomwithyouatnight，——youtalkinyoursleep。Andagain：What’sdonecan’tbeundone。andI

tellyouthere’snothingagainstusunlessthedeadcouldcometolife。Heretherewasunderlinedinabetterhandwriting(afemale’s)，Theydo！Attheendoftheletterlatestindatethesamefemalehandhadwrittenthesewords：Lostatseathe4thofJune，thesamedayas——

Iputdowntheletters，andbegantomuseovertheircontents。

Fearing，however，thatthetrainofthoughtintowhichIfellmightunsteadymynerves，Ifullydeterminedtokeepmymindinafitstatetocopewithwhateverofmarveloustheadvancingnightmightbringforth。Irousedmyself。laidthelettersonthetable。

stirredupthefire，whichwasstillbrightandcheering。andopenedmyvolumeofMacaulay。Ireadquietlyenoughtillabouthalfpasteleven。Ithenthrewmyselfdresseduponthebed，andtoldmyservanthemightretiretohisownroom，butmustkeephimselfawake。Ibadehimleaveopenthedoorbetweenthetworooms。Thusalone，Ikepttwocandlesburningonthetablebymybedhead。Iplacedmywatchbesidetheweapons，andcalmlyresumedmyMacaulay。Oppositetomethefireburnedclear。andonthehearthrug，seeminglyasleep，laythedog。InabouttwentyminutesIfeltanexceedinglycoldairpassbymycheek，likeasuddendraught。Ifanciedthedoortomyright，communicatingwiththelandingplace，musthavegotopen。butno，——itwasclosed。Ithenturnedmyglancetomyleft，andsawtheflameofthecandlesviolentlyswayedasbyawind。Atthesamemomentthewatchbesidetherevolversoftlyslidfromthetable，——softly，softly。novisiblehand，——itwasgone。Isprangup，seizingtherevolverwiththeonehand，thedaggerwiththeother。Iwasnotwillingthatmyweaponsshouldsharethefateofthewatch。Thusarmed，Ilookedroundthefloor，——nosignofthewatch。Threeslow，loud，distinctknockswerenowheardatthebedhead。myservantcalledout，Isthatyou，sir？

No。beonyourguard。

Thedognowrousedhimselfandsatonhishaunches，hisearsmovingquicklybackwardandforward。Hekepthiseyesfixedonmewithalooksostrangethatheconcenteredallmyattentiononhimself。

Slowlyheroseup，allhishairbristling，andstoodperfectlyrigid，andwiththesamewildstare。Ihadnotime，however，toexaminethedog。Presentlymyservantemergedfromhisroom。andifeverIsawhorrorinthehumanface，itwasthen。Ishouldnothaverecognizedhimhadwemetinthestreet，soalteredwaseverylineament。Hepassedbymequickly，saying，inawhisperthatseemedscarcelytocomefromhislips，Run，run！itisafterme！

Hegainedthedoortothelanding，pulleditopen，andrushedforth。Ifollowedhimintothelandinginvoluntarily，callinghimtostop。but，withoutheedingme，heboundeddownthestairs，clingingtothebalusters，andtakingseveralstepsatatime。I

heard，whereIstood，thestreetdooropen，——hearditagainclapto。Iwasleftaloneinthehauntedhouse。

ItwasbutforamomentthatIremainedundecidedwhetherornottofollowmyservant。prideandcuriosityalikeforbadesodastardlyaflight。Ire-enteredmyroom，closingthedoorafterme，andproceededcautiouslyintotheinteriorchamber。Iencounterednothingtojustifymyservant’sterror。Iagaincarefullyexaminedthewalls，toseeiftherewereanyconcealeddoor。Icouldfindnotraceofone，——notevenaseaminthedull-brownpaperwithwhichtheroomwashung。How，then，hadtheTHING，whateveritwas，whichhadsoscaredhim，obtainedingressexceptthoughmyownchamber？

Ireturnedtomyroom，shutandlockedthedoorthatopenedupontheinteriorone，andstoodonthehearth，expectantandprepared。

Inowperceivedthatthedoghadslunkintoanangleofthewall，andwaspressinghimselfcloseagainstit，asifliterallystrivingtoforcehiswayintoit。Iapproachedtheanimalandspoketoit。

thepoorbrutewasevidentlybesideitselfwithterror。Itshowedallitsteeth，theslaverdroppingfromitsjaws，andwouldcertainlyhavebittenmeifIhadtouchedit。Itdidnotseemtorecognizeme。WhoeverhasseenattheZoologicalGardensarabbit，fascinatedbyaserpent，coweringinacorner，mayformsomeideaoftheanguishwhichthedogexhibited。Findingalleffortstosoothetheanimalinvain，andfearingthathisbitemightbeasvenomousinthatstateasinthemadnessofhydrophobia，Ilefthimalone，placedmyweaponsonthetablebesidethefire，seatedmyself，andrecommencedmyMacaulay。

Perhaps，inordernottoappearseekingcreditforacourage，orratheracoolness，whichthereadermayconceiveIexaggerate，I

maybepardonedifIpausetoindulgeinoneortwoegotisticalremarks。

AsIholdpresenceofmind，orwhatiscalledcourage，tobepreciselyproportionedtofamiliaritywiththecircumstancesthatleadtoit，soIshouldsaythatIhadbeenlongsufficientlyfamiliarwithallexperimentsthatappertaintothemarvelous。I

hadwitnessedmanyveryextraordinaryphenomenainvariouspartsoftheworld，——phenomenathatwouldbeeithertotallydisbelievedifI

statedthem，orascribedtosupernaturalagencies。Now，mytheoryisthatthesupernaturalistheimpossible，andthatwhatiscalledsupernaturalisonlyasomethinginthelawsofNatureofwhichwehavebeenhithertoignorant。Therefore，ifaghostrisebeforeme，Ihavenottherighttosay，So，then，thesupernaturalispossible。butrather，So，then，theapparitionofaghostis，contrarytoreceivedopinion，withinthelawsofNature，——thatis，notsupernatural。

Now，inallthatIhadhithertowitnessed，andindeedinallthewonderswhichtheamateursofmysteryinouragerecordasfacts，amateriallivingagencyisalwaysrequired。OntheContinentyouwillfindstillmagicianswhoassertthattheycanraisespirits。

Assumeforthemomentthattheyasserttruly，stillthelivingmaterialformofthemagicianispresent。andheisthematerialagencybywhich，fromsomeconstitutionalpeculiarities，certainstrangephenomenaarerepresentedtoyournaturalsenses。

Accept，again，astruthful，thetalesofspiritmanifestationinAmerica，——musicalorothersounds。writingsonpaper，producedbynodiscerniblehand。articlesoffurnituremovedwithoutapparenthumanagency。ortheactualsightandtouchofhands，towhichnobodiesseemtobelong，——stilltheremustbefoundtheMEDIUM，orlivingbeing，withconstitutionalpeculiaritiescapableofobtainingthesesigns。Infine，inallsuchmarvels，supposingeventhatthereisnoimposture，theremustbeahumanbeinglikeourselvesbywhom，orthroughwhom，theeffectspresentedtohumanbeingsareproduced。Itissowiththenowfamiliarphenomenaofmesmerismorelectro-biology。themindofthepersonoperatedonisaffectedthroughamateriallivingagent。Nor，supposingittruethatamesmerizedpatientcanrespondtothewillorpassesofamesmerizerahundredmilesdistant，istheresponselessoccasionedbyamaterialbeing。itmaybethroughamaterialfluid——callitElectric，callitOdic，callitwhatyouwill——whichhasthepoweroftraversingspaceandpassingobstacles，thatthematerialeffectiscommunicatedfromonetotheother。Hence，allthatIhadhithertowitnessed，orexpectedtowitness，inthisstrangehouse，Ibelievedtobeoccasionedthroughsomeagencyormediumasmortalasmyself。andthisideanecessarilypreventedtheawewithwhichthosewhoregardassupernaturalthingsthatarenotwithintheordinaryoperationsofNature，mighthavebeenimpressedbytheadventuresofthatmemorablenight。

As，then，itwasmyconjecturethatallthatwaspresented，orwouldbepresentedtomysenses，mustoriginateinsomehumanbeinggiftedbyconstitutionwiththepowersotopresentthem，andhavingsomemotivesotodo，Ifeltaninterestinmytheorywhich，initsway，wasratherphilosophicalthansuperstitious。AndIcansincerelysaythatIwasinastranquilatemperforobservationasanypracticalexperimentalistcouldbeinawaitingtheeffectsofsomerare，thoughperhapsperilous，chemicalcombination。Ofcourse，themoreIkeptmyminddetachedfromfancy，themorethetemperfittedforobservationwouldbeobtained。andIthereforerivetedeyeandthoughtonthestrongdaylightsenseinthepageofmyMacaulay。

Inowbecameawarethatsomethinginterposedbetweenthepageandthelight，——thepagewasovershadowed。Ilookedup，andIsawwhatIshallfinditverydifficult，perhapsimpossible，todescribe。

ItwasaDarknessshapingitselfforthfromtheairinveryundefinedoutline。Icannotsayitwasofahumanform，andyetithadmoreresemblancetoahumanform，orrathershadow，thantoanythingelse。Asitstood，whollyapartanddistinctfromtheairandthelightaroundit，itsdimensionsseemedgigantic，thesummitnearlytouchingtheceiling。WhileIgazed，afeelingofintensecoldseizedme。Anicebergbeforemecouldnotmorehavechilledme。norcouldthecoldofaniceberghavebeenmorepurelyphysical。Ifeelconvincedthatitwasnotthecoldcausedbyfear。AsIcontinuedtogaze，Ithought——butthisIcannotsaywithprecision——thatIdistinguishedtwoeyeslookingdownonmefromtheheight。OnemomentIfanciedthatIdistinguishedthemclearly，thenexttheyseemedgone。butstilltworaysofapale-

bluelightfrequentlyshotthroughthedarkness，asfromtheheightonwhichIhalfbelieved，halfdoubted，thatIhadencounteredtheeyes。

Istrovetospeak，——myvoiceutterlyfailedme。Icouldonlythinktomyself，Isthisfear？ItisNOTfear！Istrovetorise，——invain。Ifeltasifweigheddownbyanirresistibleforce。Indeed，myimpressionwasthatofanimmenseandoverwhelmingPoweropposedtomyvolition，——thatsenseofutterinadequacytocopewithaforcebeyondman’s，whichonemayfeelPHYSICALLYinastormatsea，inaconflagration，orwhenconfrontingsometerriblewildbeast，orrather，perhaps，thesharkoftheocean，IfeltMORALLY。

Opposedtomywillwasanotherwill，asfarsuperiortoitsstrengthasstorm，fire，andsharkaresuperiorinmaterialforcetotheforceofman。

Andnow，asthisimpressiongrewonme，——nowcame，atlast，horror，horrortoadegreethatnowordscanconvey。StillIretainedpride，ifnotcourage。andinmyownmindIsaid，Thisishorror。

butitisnotfear。unlessIfearIcannotbeharmed。myreasonrejectsthisthing。itisanillusion，——Idonotfear。WithaviolenteffortIsucceededatlastinstretchingoutmyhandtowardtheweapononthetable。asIdidso，onthearmandshoulderI

receivedastrangeshock，andmyarmfelltomysidepowerless。

Andnow，toaddtomyhorror，thelightbeganslowlytowanefromthecandles，——theywerenot，asitwere，extinguished，buttheirflameseemedverygraduallywithdrawn。itwasthesamewiththefire，——thelightwasextractedfromthefuel。inafewminutestheroomwasinutterdarkness。Thedreadthatcameoverme，tobethusinthedarkwiththatdarkThing，whosepowerwassointenselyfelt，broughtareactionofnerve。Infact，terrorhadreachedthatclimax，thateithermysensesmusthavedesertedme，orImusthaveburstthroughthespell。Ididburstthroughit。Ifoundvoice，thoughthevoicewasashriek。IrememberthatIbrokeforthwithwordslikethese，Idonotfear，mysouldoesnotfear。andatthesametimeIfoundstrengthtorise。StillinthatprofoundgloomIrushedtooneofthewindows。toreasidethecurtain。flungopentheshutters。myfirstthoughtwas——LIGHT。AndwhenIsawthemoonhigh，clear，andcalm，Ifeltajoythatalmostcompensatedforthepreviousterror。Therewasthemoon，therewasalsothelightfromthegaslampsinthedesertedslumberousstreet。Iturnedtolookbackintotheroom。themoonpenetrateditsshadowverypalelyandpartially——butstilltherewaslight。

ThedarkThing，whateveritmightbe，wasgone，——exceptthatI

couldyetseeadimshadow，whichseemedtheshadowofthatshade，againsttheoppositewall。

Myeyenowrestedonthetable，andfromunderthetable(whichwaswithoutclothorcover，——anoldmahoganyroundtable)thereroseahand，visibleasfarasthewrist。Itwasahand，seemingly，asmuchoffleshandbloodasmyown，butthehandofanagedperson，lean，wrinkled，smalltoo，——awoman’shand。Thathandverysoftlyclosedonthetwolettersthatlayonthetable。handandlettersbothvanished。Therethencamethesamethreeloud，measuredknocksIhadheardatthebedheadbeforethisextraordinarydramahadcommenced。

Asthosesoundsslowlyceased，Ifeltthewholeroomvibratesensibly。andatthefarendthererose，asfromthefloor，sparksorglobuleslikebubblesoflight，manycolored，——green，yellow，fire-red，azure。Upanddown，toandfro，hither，thitherastinyWill-o’-the-Wisps，thesparksmoved，sloworswift，eachatitsowncaprice。Achair(asinthedrawing-roombelow)wasnowadvancedfromthewallwithoutapparentagency，andplacedattheoppositesideofthetable。Suddenly，asforthfromthechair，theregrewashape，——awoman’sshape。Itwasdistinctasashapeoflife，——

ghastlyasashapeofdeath。Thefacewasthatofyouth，withastrange，mournfulbeauty。thethroatandshoulderswerebare，therestoftheforminalooserobeofcloudywhite。Itbegansleekingitslong，yellowhair，whichfelloveritsshoulders。itseyeswerenotturnedtowardme，buttothedoor。itseemedlistening，watching，waiting。Theshadowoftheshadeinthebackgroundgrewdarker。andagainIthoughtIbeheldtheeyesgleamingoutfromthesummitoftheshadow，——eyesfixeduponthatshape。

Asiffromthedoor，thoughitdidnotopen，theregrewoutanothershape，equallydistinct，equallyghastly，——aman’sshape，ayoungman’s。Itwasinthedressofthelastcentury，orratherinalikenessofsuchdress(forboththemaleshapeandthefemale，thoughdefined，wereevidentlyunsubstantial，impalpable，——

simulacra，phantasms)。andtherewassomethingincongruous，grotesque，yetfearful，inthecontrastbetweentheelaboratefinery，thecourtlyprecisionofthatold-fashionedgarb，withitsrufflesandlaceandbuckles，andthecorpselikeaspectandghostlikestillnessoftheflittingwearer。Justasthemaleshapeapproachedthefemale，thedarkShadowstartedfromthewall，allthreeforamomentwrappedindarkness。Whenthepalelightreturned，thetwophantomswereasifinthegraspoftheShadowthattoweredbetweenthem。andtherewasabloodstainonthebreastofthefemale。andthephantommalewasleaningonitsphantomsword，andbloodseemedtricklingfastfromtherufflesfromthelace。andthedarknessoftheintermediateShadowswallowedthemup，——theyweregone。Andagainthebubblesoflightshot，andsailed，andundulated，growingthickerandthickerandmorewildlyconfusedintheirmovements。

Theclosetdoortotherightofthefireplacenowopened，andfromtheaperturetherecametheformofanagedwoman。Inherhandsheheldletters，——theverylettersoverwhichIhadseenTHEHandclose。andbehindherIheardafootstep。Sheturnedroundasiftolisten，andthensheopenedthelettersandseemedtoread。andoverhershoulderIsawalividface，thefaceasofamanlongdrowned，——bloated，bleached，seaweedtangledinitsdrippinghair。

andatherfeetlayaformasofacorpse。andbesidethecorpsetherecoweredachild，amiserable，squalidchild，withfamineinitscheeksandfearinitseyes。AndasIlookedintheoldwoman’sface，thewrinklesandlinesvanished，anditbecameafaceofyouth，——hard-eyed，stony，butstillyouth。andtheShadowdartedforth，anddarkenedoverthesephantomsasithaddarkenedoverthelast。

NothingnowwasleftbuttheShadow，andonthatmyeyeswereintentlyfixed，tillagaineyesgrewoutoftheShadow，——malignant，serpenteyes。Andthebubblesoflightagainroseandfell，andintheirdisordered，irregular，turbulentmaze，mingledwiththewanmoonlight。Andnowfromtheseglobulesthemselves，asfromtheshellofanegg，monstrousthingsburstout。theairgrewfilledwiththem：larvaesobloodlessandsohideousthatIcaninnowaydescribethemexcepttoremindthereaderoftheswarminglifewhichthesolarmicroscopebringsbeforehiseyesinadropofwater，——thingstransparent，supple，agile，chasingeachother，devouringeachother。formslikenaughteverbeheldbythenakedeye。Astheshapeswerewithoutsymmetry，sotheirmovementswerewithoutorder。Intheirveryvagranciestherewasnosport。theycameroundmeandround，thickerandfasterandswifter，swarmingovermyhead，crawlingovermyrightarm，whichwasoutstretchedininvoluntarycommandagainstallevilbeings。SometimesIfeltmyselftouched，butnotbythem。invisiblehandstouchedme。OnceIfelttheclutchasofcold，softfingersatmythroat。IwasstillequallyconsciousthatifIgavewaytofearIshouldbeinbodilyperil。andIconcenteredallmyfacultiesinthesinglefocusofresistingstubbornwill。AndIturnedmysightfromtheShadow。aboveall，fromthosestrangeserpenteyes，——eyesthathadnowbecomedistinctlyvisible。Forthere，thoughinnaughtelsearoundme，IwasawarethattherewasaWILL，andwillofintense，creative，workingevil，whichmightcrushdownmyown。

Thepaleatmosphereintheroombegannowtoreddenasifintheairofsomenearconflagration。Thelarvaegrewluridasthingsthatliveinfire。Againtheroomvibrated。againwereheardthethreemeasuredknocks。andagainallthingswereswallowedupinthedarknessofthedarkShadow，asifoutofthatdarknessallhadcome，intothatdarknessallreturned。

Asthegloomreceded，theShadowwaswhollygone。Slowly，asithadbeenwithdrawn，theflamegrewagainintothecandlesonthetable，againintothefuelinthegrate。Thewholeroomcameoncemorecalmly，healthfullyintosight。

Thetwodoorswerestillclosed，thedoorcommunicatingwiththeservant’sroomstilllocked。Inthecornerofthewall，intowhichhehadsoconvulsivelynichedhimself，laythedog。Icalledtohim，——nomovement。Iapproached，——theanimalwasdead：hiseyesprotruded。histongueoutofhismouth。thefrothgatheredroundhisjaws。Itookhiminmyarms。Ibroughthimtothefire。I

feltacutegriefforthelossofmypoorfavorite，——acuteself-

reproach。Iaccusedmyselfofhisdeath。Iimaginedhehaddiedoffright。Butwhatwasmysurpriseonfindingthathisneckwasactuallybroken。Hadthisbeendoneinthedark？Mustitnothavebeenbyahandhumanasmine。musttherenothavebeenahumanagencyallthewhileinthatroom？Goodcausetosuspectit。I

cannottell。Icannotdomorethanstatethefactfairly。thereadermaydrawhisowninference。

Anothersurprisingcircumstance，——mywatchwasrestoredtothetablefromwhichithadbeensomysteriouslywithdrawn。butithadstoppedattheverymomentitwassowithdrawn，nor，despitealltheskillofthewatchmaker，hasitevergonesince，——thatis，itwillgoinastrange，erraticwayforafewhours，andthencometoadeadstop。itisworthless。

Nothingmorechancedfortherestofthenight。Nor，indeed，hadI

longtowaitbeforethedawnbroke。NottillitwasbroaddaylightdidIquitthehauntedhouse。BeforeIdidso，Irevisitedthelittleblindroominwhichmyservantandmyselfhadbeenforatimeimprisoned。Ihadastrongimpression——forwhichIcouldnotaccount——thatfromthatroomhadoriginatedthemechanismofthephenomena，ifImayusetheterm，whichhadbeenexperiencedinmychamber。AndthoughIentereditnowintheclearday，withthesunpeeringthroughthefilmywindow，Istillfelt，asIstoodonitsfloors，thecreepofthehorrorwhichIhadfirstthereexperiencedthenightbefore，andwhichhadbeensoaggravatedbywhathadpassedinmyownchamber。Icouldnot，indeed，beartostaymorethanhalfaminutewithinthosewalls。Idescendedthestairs，andagainIheardthefootfallbeforeme。andwhenIopenedthestreetdoor，IthoughtIcoulddistinguishaverylowlaugh。I

gainedmyownhome，expectingtofindmyrunawayservantthere。buthehadnotpresentedhimself，nordidIhearmoreofhimforthreedays，whenIreceivedaletterfromhim，datedfromLiverpooltothiseffect：——

HONOREDSIR，——Ihumblyentreatyourpardon，thoughIcanscarcelyhopethatyouwillthinkthatIdeserveit，unless——whichHeavenforbid！——yousawwhatIdid。IfeelthatitwillbeyearsbeforeI

canrecovermyself。andastobeingfitforservice，itisoutofthequestion。Iamthereforegoingtomybrother-in-lawatMelbourne。Theshipsailsto-morrow。Perhapsthelongvoyagemaysetmeup。Idonothingnowbutstartandtremble，andfancyitisbehindme。Ihumblybegyou，honoredsir，toordermyclothes，andwhateverwagesareduetome，tobesenttomymother’s，atWalworth，——Johnknowsheraddress。

Theletterendedwithadditionalapologies，somewhatincoherent，andexplanatorydetailsastoeffectsthathadbeenunderthewriter’scharge。

ThisflightmayperhapswarrantasuspicionthatthemanwishedtogotoAustralia，andhadbeensomehoworotherfraudulentlymixedupwiththeeventsofthenight。Isaynothinginrefutationofthatconjecture。rather，Isuggestitasonethatwouldseemtomanypersonsthemostprobablesolutionofimprobableoccurrences。

Mybeliefinmyowntheoryremainedunshaken。Ireturnedintheeveningtothehouse，tobringawayinahackcabthethingsIhadleftthere，withmypoordog’sbody。InthistaskIwasnotdisturbed，nordidanyincidentworthnotebefallme，exceptthatstill，onascendinganddescendingthestairs，Iheardthesamefootfallinadvance。Onleavingthehouse，IwenttoMr。J——’s。

Hewasathome。Ireturnedhimthekeys，toldhimthatmycuriositywassufficientlygratified，andwasabouttorelatequicklywhathadpassed，whenhestoppedme，andsaid，thoughwithmuchpoliteness，thathehadnolongeranyinterestinamysterywhichnonehadeversolved。

IdeterminedatleasttotellhimofthetwolettersIhadread，aswellasoftheextraordinarymannerinwhichtheyhaddisappeared。

andItheninquiredifhethoughttheyhadbeenaddressedtothewomanwhohaddiedinthehouse，andiftherewereanythinginherearlyhistorywhichcouldpossiblyconfirmthedarksuspicionstowhichthelettersgaverise。Mr。J——seemedstartled，and，aftermusingafewmoments，answered，Iambutlittleacquaintedwiththewoman’searlierhistory，exceptasIbeforetoldyou，thatherfamilywereknowntomine。Butyourevivesomevaguereminiscencestoherprejudice。Iwillmakeinquiries，andinformyouoftheirresult。Still，evenifwecouldadmitthepopularsuperstitionthatapersonwhohadbeeneithertheperpetratororthevictimofdarkcrimesinlifecouldrevisit，asarestlessspirit，thesceneinwhichthosecrimeshadbeencommitted，Ishouldobservethatthehousewasinfestedbystrangesightsandsoundsbeforetheoldwomandied——yousmile——whatwouldyousay？

Iwouldsaythis，thatIamconvinced，ifwecouldgettothebottomofthesemysteries，weshouldfindalivinghumanagency。

What！youbelieveitisallanimposture？Forwhatobject？

Notanimpostureintheordinarysenseoftheword。IfsuddenlyI

weretosinkintoadeepsleep，fromwhichyoucouldnotawakeme，butinthatsleepcouldanswerquestionswithanaccuracywhichI

couldnotpretendtowhenawake，——tellyouwhatmoneyyouhadinyourpocket，nay，describeyourverythoughts，——itisnotnecessarilyanimposture，anymorethanitisnecessarilysupernatural。Ishouldbe，unconsciouslytomyself，underamesmericinfluence，conveyedtomefromadistancebyahumanbeingwhohadacquiredpowerovermebypreviousrapport。

Butifamesmerizercouldsoaffectanotherlivingbeing，canyousupposethatamesmerizercouldalsoaffectinanimateobjects：movechairs，——openandshutdoors？

Orimpressoursenseswiththebeliefinsucheffects，——weneverhavingbeenenrapportwiththepersonactingonus？No。Whatiscommonlycalledmesmerismcouldnotdothis。buttheremaybeapowerakintomesmerism，andsuperiortoit，——thepowerthatintheolddayswascalledMagic。Thatsuchapowermayextendtoallinanimateobjectsofmatter，Idonotsay。butifso，itwouldnotbeagainstNature，——itwouldbeonlyararepowerinNaturewhichmightbegiventoconstitutionswithcertainpeculiarities，andcultivatedbypracticetoanextraordinarydegree。Thatsuchapowermightextendoverthedead，——thatis，overcertainthoughtsandmemoriesthatthedeadmaystillretain，——andcompel，notthatwhichoughtproperlytobecalledtheSOUL，andwhichisfarbeyondhumanreach，butratheraphantomofwhathasbeenmostearth-

stainedonearth，tomakeitselfapparenttooursenses，isaveryancientthoughobsoletetheoryuponwhichIwillhazardnoopinion。

ButIdonotconceivethepowerwouldbesupernatural。LetmeillustratewhatImeanfromanexperimentwhichParacelsusdescribesasnotdifficult，andwhichtheauthorofthe’CuriositiesofLiterature’citesascredible：Aflowerperishes。

youburnit。Whateverweretheelementsofthatflowerwhileitlivedaregone，dispersed，youknownotwhither。youcanneverdiscovernorre-collectthem。Butyoucan，bychemistry，outoftheburneddustofthatflower，raiseaspectrumoftheflower，justasitseemedinlife。Itmaybethesamewiththehumanbeing。Thesoulhasasmuchescapedyouastheessenceorelementsoftheflower。Stillyoumaymakeaspectrumofit。Andthisphantom，thoughinthepopularsuperstitionitisheldtobethesoulofthedeparted，mustnotbeconfoundedwiththetruesoul。itisbuttheeidolonofthedeadform。Hence，likethebest-attestedstoriesofghostsorspirits，thethingthatmoststrikesusistheabsenceofwhatweholdtobesoul，——thatis，ofsuperioremancipatedintelligence。Theseapparitionscomeforlittleornoobject，——theyseldomspeakwhentheydocome。iftheyspeak，theyutternoideasabovethoseofanordinarypersononearth。

Americanspiritseershavepublishedvolumesofcommunications，inproseandverse，whichtheyasserttobegiveninthenamesofthemostillustriousdead：Shakespeare，Bacon，——Heavenknowswhom。

Thosecommunications，takingthebest，arecertainlynotawhitofhigherorderthanwouldbecommunicationsfromlivingpersonsoffairtalentandeducation。theyarewondrouslyinferiortowhatBacon，Shakespeare，andPlatosaidandwrotewhenonearth。Nor，whatismorenoticeable，dotheyevercontainanideathatwasnotontheearthbefore。Wonderful，therefore，assuchphenomenamaybe(grantingthemtobetruthful)，Iseemuchthatphilosophymayquestion，nothingthatitisincumbentonphilosophytodeny，——

namely，nothingsupernatural。Theyarebutideasconveyedsomehoworother(wehavenotyetdiscoveredthemeans)fromonemortalbraintoanother。Whether，insodoing，tableswalkoftheirownaccord，orfiendlikeshapesappearinamagiccircle，orbodilesshandsriseandremovematerialobjects，oraThingofDarkness，suchaspresenteditselftome，freezeourblood，——stillamI

persuadedthatthesearebutagenciesconveyed，asbyelectricwires，tomyownbrainfromthebrainofanother。Insomeconstitutionsthereisanaturalchemistry，andthoseconstitutionsmayproducechemicwonders，——inothersanaturalfluid，callitelectricity，andthesemayproduceelectricwonders。ButthewondersdifferfromNormalScienceinthis，——theyarealikeobjectless，purposeless，puerile，frivolous。Theyleadontonograndresults。andthereforetheworlddoesnotheed，andtruesageshavenotcultivatedthem。ButsureIam，thatofallIsaworheard，aman，humanasmyself，wastheremoteoriginator。andI

believeunconsciouslytohimselfastotheexacteffectsproduced，forthisreason：notwopersons，yousay，haveevertoldyouthattheyexperiencedexactlythesamething。Well，observe，notwopersonseverexperienceexactlythesamedream。Ifthiswereanordinaryimposture，themachinerywouldbearrangedforresultsthatwouldbutlittlevary。ifitwereasupernaturalagencypermittedbytheAlmighty，itwouldsurelybeforsomedefiniteend。Thesephenomenabelongtoneitherclass。mypersuasionis，thattheyoriginateinsomebrainnowfardistant。thatthatbrainhadnodistinctvolitioninanythingthatoccurred。thatwhatdoesoccurreflectsbutitsdevious，motley，ever-shifting，half-formedthoughts。inshort，thatithasbeenbutthedreamsofsuchabrainputintoactionandinvestedwithasemisubstance。Thatthisbrainisofimmensepower，thatitcansetmatterintomovement，thatitismalignantanddestructive，Ibelieve。somematerialforcemusthavekilledmydog。thesameforcemight，foraughtIknow，havesufficedtokillmyself，hadIbeenassubjugatedbyterrorasthedog，——hadmyintellectormyspiritgivenmenocountervailingresistanceinmywill。

Itkilledyourdog，——thatisfearful！Indeeditisstrangethatnoanimalcanbeinducedtostayinthathouse。notevenacat。

Ratsandmiceareneverfoundinit。

Theinstinctsofthebrutecreationdetectinfluencesdeadlytotheirexistence。Man’sreasonhasasenselesssubtle，becauseithasaresistingpowermoresupreme。Butenough。doyoucomprehendmytheory？

Yes，thoughimperfectly，——andIacceptanycrotchet(pardontheword)，howeverodd，ratherthanembraceatoncethenotionofghostsandhobgoblinsweimbibedinournurseries。Still，tomyunfortunatehouse，theevilisthesame。WhatonearthcanIdowiththehouse？

IwilltellyouwhatIwoulddo。Iamconvincedfrommyowninternalfeelingsthatthesmall，unfurnishedroomatrightanglestothedoorofthebedroomwhichIoccupied，formsastartingpointorreceptaclefortheinfluenceswhichhauntthehouse。andI

stronglyadviseyoutohavethewallsopened，thefloorremoved，——

nay，thewholeroompulleddown。Iobservethatitisdetachedfromthebodyofthehouse，builtoverthesmallbackyard，andcouldberemovedwithoutinjurytotherestofthebuilding。

Andyouthink，ifIdidthat——

Youwouldcutoffthetelegraphwires。Tryit。IamsopersuadedthatIamright，thatIwillpayhalftheexpenseifyouwillallowmetodirecttheoperations。

Nay，Iamwellabletoaffordthecost。fortherestallowmetowritetoyou。

AbouttendaysafterIreceivedaletterfromMr。J——tellingmethathehadvisitedthehousesinceIhadseenhim。thathehadfoundthetwolettersIhaddescribed，replacedinthedrawerfromwhichIhadtakenthem。thathehadreadthemwithmisgivingslikemyown。thathehadinstitutedacautiousinquiryaboutthewomantowhomIrightlyconjecturedtheyhadbeenwritten。Itseemedthatthirty-sixyearsago(ayearbeforethedateoftheletters)

shehadmarried，againstthewishofherrelations，anAmericanofverysuspicionscharacter。infact，hewasgenerallybelievedtohavebeenapirate。Sheherselfwasthedaughterofveryrespectabletradespeople，andhadservedinthecapacityofanurserygovernessbeforehermarriage。Shehadabrother，awidower，whowasconsideredwealthy，andwhohadonechildofaboutsixyearsold。AmonthafterthemarriagethebodyofthisbrotherwasfoundintheThames，nearLondonBridge。thereseemedsomemarksofviolenceabouthisthroat，buttheywerenotdeemedsufficienttowarranttheinquestinanyotherverdictthatthatoffounddrowned。

TheAmericanandhiswifetookchargeofthelittleboy，thedeceasedbrotherhavingbyhiswilllefthissistertheguardianofhisonlychild，——andineventofthechild’sdeaththesisterinherited。Thechilddiedaboutsixmonthsafterwards，——itwassupposedtohavebeenneglectedandill-treated。Theneighborsdeposedtohavehearditshriekatnight。Thesurgeonwhohadexamineditafterdeathsaidthatitwasemaciatedasiffromwantofnourishment，andthebodywascoveredwithlividbruises。Itseemedthatonewinternightthechildhadsoughttoescape。creptoutintothebackyard。triedtoscalethewall。fallenbackexhausted。andbeenfoundatmorningonthestonesinadyingstate。Butthoughtherewassomeevidenceofcruelty，therewasnoneofmurder。andtheauntandherhusbandhadsoughttopalliatecrueltybyallegingtheexceedingstubbornnessandperversityofthechild，whowasdeclaredtobehalf-witted。Bethatasitmay，attheorphan’sdeaththeauntinheritedherbrother’sfortune。

Beforethefirstweddedyearwasout，theAmericanquittedEnglandabruptly，andneverreturnedtoit。Heobtainedacruisingvessel，whichwaslostintheAtlantictwoyearsafterwards。Thewidowwasleftinaffluence，butreversesofvariouskindshadbefallenher：

abankbroke。aninvestmentfailed。shewentintoasmallbusinessandbecameinsolvent。thensheenteredintoservice，sinkinglowerandlower，fromhousekeeperdowntomaid-of-all-work，——neverlongretainingaplace，thoughnothingdecidedagainsthercharacterwaseveralleged。Shewasconsideredsober，honest，andpeculiarlyquietinherways。stillnothingprosperedwithher。Andsoshehaddroppedintotheworkhouse，fromwhichMr。J——hadtakenher，tobeplacedinchargeoftheveryhousewhichshehadrentedasmistressinthefirstyearofherweddedlife。

Mr。J——addedthathehadpassedanhouraloneintheunfurnishedroomwhichIhadurgedhimtodestroy，andthathisimpressionsofdreadwhilethereweresogreat，thoughhehadneitherheardnorseenanything，thathewaseagertohavethewallsbaredandthefloorsremovedasIhadsuggested。Hehadengagedpersonsforthework，andwouldcommenceanydayIwouldname。

Thedaywasaccordinglyfixed。Irepairedtothehauntedhouse，——

wewentintotheblind，drearyroom，tookuptheskirting，andthenthefloors。Undertherafters，coveredwithrubbish，wasfoundatrapdoor，quitelargeenoughtoadmitaman。Itwascloselynaileddown，withclampsandrivetsofiron。Onremovingthesewedescendedintoaroombelow，theexistenceofwhichhadneverbeensuspected。Inthisroomtherehadbeenawindowandaflue，buttheyhadbeenbrickedover，evidentlyformanyyears。Bythehelpofcandlesweexaminedthisplace。itstillretainedsomemolderingfurniture，——threechairs，anoaksettle，atable，——allofthefashionofabouteightyyearsago。Therewasachestofdrawersagainstthewall，inwhichwefound，halfrottedaway，old-

fashionedarticlesofaman’sdress，suchasmighthavebeenworneightyorahundredyearsagobyagentlemanofsomerank。costlysteelbucklesandbuttons，likethoseyetwornincourtdresses，ahandsomecourtsword。inawaistcoatwhichhadoncebeenrichwithgoldlace，butwhichwasnowblackenedandfoulwithdamp，wefoundfiveguineas，afewsilvercoins，andanivoryticket，probablyforsomeplaceofentertainmentlongsincepassedaway。Butourmaindiscoverywasinakindofironsafefixedtothewall，thelockofwhichitcostusmuchtroubletogetpicked。

Inthissafewerethreeshelvesandtwosmalldrawers。Rangedontheshelveswereseveralsmallbottlesofcrystal，hermeticallystopped。Theycontainedcolorless，volatileessences，ofthenatureofwhichIshallonlysaythattheywerenotpoisons，——

phosphorandammoniaenteredintosomeofthem。Therewerealsosomeverycuriousglasstubes，andasmallpointedrodofiron，withalargelumpofrockcrystal，andanotherofamber，——alsoaloadstoneofgreatpower。

Inoneofthedrawerswefoundaminiatureportraitsetingold，andretainingthefreshnessofitscolorsmostremarkably，consideringthelengthoftimeithadprobablybeenthere。Theportraitwasthatofamanwhomightbesomewhatadvancedinmiddlelife，perhapsforty-sevenorforty-eight。Itwasaremarkableface，——amostimpressiveface。Ifyoucouldfancysomemightyserpenttransformedintoman，preservinginthehumanlineamentstheoldserpenttype，youwouldhaveabetterideaofthatcountenancethanlongdescriptionscanconvey：thewidthandflatnessoffrontal。thetaperingeleganceofcontourdisguisingthestrengthofthedeadlyjaw。thelong，large，terribleeye，glitteringandgreenastheemerald，——andwithalacertainruthlesscalm，asiffromtheconsciousnessofanimmensepower。

MechanicallyIturnedroundtheminiaturetoexaminethebackofit，andonthebackwasengravedapentacle。inthemiddleofthepentaclealadder，andthethirdstepoftheladderwasformedbythedate1765。Examiningstillmoreminutely，Idetectedaspring。

this，onbeingpressed，openedthebackoftheminiatureasalid。

Within-sidethelidwereengraved，Mariannatothee。Befaithfulinlifeandindeathto。HerefollowsanamethatIwillnotmention，butitwasnotunfamiliartome。IhadhearditspokenofbyoldmeninmychildhoodasthenamebornebyadazzlingcharlatanwhohadmadeagreatsensationinLondonforayearorso，andhadfledthecountryonthechargeofadoublemurderwithinhisownhouse，——thatofhismistressandhisrival。IsaidnothingofthistoMr。J——，towhomreluctantlyIresignedtheminiature。

Wehadfoundnodifficultyinopeningthefirstdrawerwithintheironsafe。wefoundgreatdifficultyinopeningthesecond：itwasnotlocked，butitresistedallefforts，tillweinsertedinthechinkstheedgeofachisel。Whenwehadthusdrawnitforth，wefoundaverysingularapparatusinthenicestorder。Uponasmall，thinbook，orrathertablet，wasplacedasaucerofcrystal。thissaucerwasfilledwithaclearliquid，——onthatliquidfloatedakindofcompass，withaneedleshiftingrapidlyround。butinsteadoftheusualpointsofacompassweresevenstrangecharacters，notveryunlikethoseusedbyastrologerstodenotetheplanets。A

peculiarbutnotstrongnordispleasingodorcamefromthisdrawer，whichwaslinedwithawoodthatweafterwardsdiscoveredtobehazel。Whateverthecauseofthisodor，itproducedamaterialeffectonthenerves。Weallfeltit，eventhetwoworkmenwhowereintheroom，——acreeping，tinglingsensationfromthetipsofthefingerstotherootsofthehair。Impatienttoexaminethetablet，Iremovedthesaucer。AsIdidsotheneedleofthecompasswentroundandroundwithexceedingswiftness，andIfeltashockthatranthroughmywholeframe，sothatIdroppedthesauceronthefloor。Theliquidwasspilled。thesaucerwasbroken。thecompassrolledtotheendoftheroom，andatthatinstantthewallsshooktoandfro，asifagianthadswayedandrockedthem。

Thetwoworkmenweresofrightenedthattheyranuptheladderbywhichwehaddescendedfromthetrapdoor。butseeingthatnothingmorehappened，theywereeasilyinducedtoreturn。

MeanwhileIhadopenedthetablet：itwasboundinplainredleather，withasilverclasp。itcontainedbutonesheetofthickvellum，andonthatsheetwereinscribed，withinadoublepentacle，wordsinoldmonkishLatin，whichareliterallytobetranslatedthus：Onallthatitcanreachwithinthesewalls，sentientorinanimate，livingordead，asmovestheneedle，soworksmywill！

Accursedbethehouse，andrestlessbethedwellerstherein。

Wefoundnomore。Mr。J——burnedthetabletanditsanathema。

Herazedtothefoundationsthepartofthebuildingcontainingthesecretroomwiththechamberoverit。Hehadthenthecouragetoinhabitthehousehimselfforamonth，andaquieter，better-

conditionedhousecouldnotbefoundinallLondon。Subsequentlyheletittoadvantage，andhistenanthasmadenocomplaints。

Adrowningmanclutchingatastraw——suchisDr。Fenwick，heroofBulwer-Lytton’sStrangeStorywhenhedeterminestolendhimselftoallegedmagicinthehopeofsavinghissufferingwifefromthephysicaldangerswhichhavesucceededhermentaldisease。ThepropositionhasbeenmadetohimbyMargrave，awandererinmanycountries，whohasfollowedtheFenwicksfromEnglandtoAustralia。

Margravedeclaresthatheneedsanaccomplicetosecureanelixiroflifewhichhisownfailingstrengthdemands。HismysteriousmesmericorhypnoticinfluenceoverMrs。Fenwickhadinformerdaysbeenmarked。andonthebasisofthisundeniablefact，hehasendeavoredtoshowthathisownwelfareandMrs。Fenwick’sare，insomeoccultfashion，knittogether，andthatonlybyaidinghiminsomeextraordinaryexperimentcanthephysiciansnatchhisbelovedLilianfromherimpendingdoom。

Asthefirstchapteropens，Fenwickislearninghiswife’sconditionfromhisfriend，Dr。Faber。

Bulwer-LyttonTheIncantationI

Ibelievethatforatleasttwelvehourstherewillbenochangeinherstate。Ibelievealsothatifsherecoverfromit，calmandrefreshed，asfromasleep，thedangerofdeathwillhavepassedaway。

Andfortwelvehoursmypresencewouldbehurtful？

Rathersayfatal，ifmydiagnosisberight。

Iwrungmyfriend’shand，andweparted。

Oh，tolosehernow。nowthatherloveandherreasonhadbothreturned，eachmorevividthanbefore！Futile，indeed，mightbeMargrave’sboastedsecret。butatleastinthatsecretwashope。

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