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，andwouldIforinstanceliketostakemyownlifeonthechancesofhiscontinuingtoexecuteitwithprecision？
UnabletoovercomeafeelingthattherewouldbesomethingtreacherousinmycommunicatingwhathehadtoldmetohissuperiorsintheCompany，withoutfirstbeingplainwithhimselfandproposingamiddlecoursetohim，Iultimatelyresolvedtooffertoaccompanyhimotherwisekeepinghissecretforthepresenttothewisestmedicalpractitionerwecouldhearofinthoseparts，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，itwasnotsomuchwhatwesaworheardinwhichyoumightfairlysupposethatwewerethedupesofourownexcitedfancy，orthevictimsofimpostureinothersthatdroveusaway，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。
Wewentthroughtheotheratticsinallfour，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。Heretherewasunderlinedinabetterhandwritingafemale’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，andfromunderthetablewhichwaswithoutclothorcover，——anoldmahoganyroundtablethereroseahand，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。Achairasinthedrawing-roombelowwasnowadvancedfromthewallwithoutapparentagency，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，orratherinalikenessofsuchdressforboththemaleshapeandthefemale，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，assuchphenomenamaybegrantingthemtobetruthful，Iseemuchthatphilosophymayquestion，nothingthatitisincumbentonphilosophytodeny，——
namely，nothingsupernatural。Theyarebutideasconveyedsomehoworotherwehavenotyetdiscoveredthemeansfromonemortalbraintoanother。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，——andIacceptanycrotchetpardontheword，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-sixyearsagoayearbeforethedateoftheletters
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。