Undernoneoftheaccreditedghostlycircumstances，andenvironedbynoneoftheconventionalghostlysurroundings，didIfirstmakeacquaintancewiththehousewhichisthesubjectofthisChristmaspiece。Isawitinthedaylight，withthesunuponit。Therewasnowind，norain，nolightning，nothunder，noawfulorunwontedcircumstance，ofanykind，toheightenitseffect。Morethanthat:
Ihadcometoitdirectfromarailwaystation:itwasnotmorethanamiledistantfromtherailwaystation；and，asIstoodoutsidethehouse，lookingbackuponthewayIhadcome，Icouldseethegoodstrainrunningsmoothlyalongtheembankmentinthevalley。Iwillnotsaythateverythingwasutterlycommonplace，becauseIdoubtifanythingcanbethat，excepttoutterlycommonplacepeople——andtheremyvanitystepsin；but，IwilltakeitonmyselftosaythatanybodymightseethehouseasIsawit，anyfineautumnmorning。
Themannerofmylightingonitwasthis。
IwastravellingtowardsLondonoutoftheNorth，intendingtostopbytheway，tolookatthehouse。Myhealthrequiredatemporaryresidenceinthecountry；andafriendofminewhoknewthat，andwhohadhappenedtodrivepastthehouse，hadwrittentometosuggestitasalikelyplace。Ihadgotintothetrainatmidnight，andhadfallenasleep，andhadwokeupandhadsatlookingoutofwindowatthebrilliantNorthernLightsinthesky，andhadfallenasleepagain，andhadwokeupagaintofindthenightgone，withtheusualdiscontentedconvictiononmethatI
hadn’tbeentosleepatall；——uponwhichquestion，inthefirstimbecilityofthatcondition，IamashamedtobelievethatIwouldhavedonewagerbybattlewiththemanwhosatoppositeme。Thatoppositemanhadhad，throughthenight——asthatoppositemanalwayshas——severallegstoomany，andallofthemtoolong。Inadditiontothisunreasonableconduct(whichwasonlytobeexpectedofhim)，hehadhadapencilandapocket-book，andhadbeenperpetuallylisteningandtakingnotes。Ithadappearedtomethattheseaggravatingnotesrelatedtothejoltsandbumpsofthecarriage，andIshouldhaveresignedmyselftohistakingthem，underageneralsuppositionthathewasinthecivil-engineeringwayoflife，ifhehadnotsatstaringstraightovermyheadwheneverhelistened。Hewasagoggle-eyedgentlemanofaperplexedaspect，andhisdemeanorbecameunbearable。
Itwasacold，deadmorning(thesunnotbeingupyet)，andwhenI
hadout-watchedthepalinglightofthefiresoftheironcountry，andthecurtainofheavysmokethathungatoncebetweenmeandthestarsandbetweenmeandtheday，Iturnedtomyfellow-travellerandsaid:”IBEGyourpardon，sir，butdoyouobserveanythingparticularinme？”For，really，heappearedtobetakingdown，eithermytravelling-capormyhair，withaminutenessthatwasaliberty。
Thegoggle-eyedgentlemanwithdrewhiseyesfrombehindme，asifthebackofthecarriagewereahundredmilesoff，andsaid，withaloftylookofcompassionformyinsignificance:”Inyou，sir？——B。””B，sir？”saidI，growingwarm。”Ihavenothingtodowithyou，sir，”returnedthegentleman；”prayletmelisten——O。”
Heenunciatedthisvowelafterapause，andnoteditdown。
AtfirstIwasalarmed，foranExpresslunaticandnocommunicationwiththeguard，isaseriousposition。ThethoughtcametomyreliefthatthegentlemanmightbewhatispopularlycalledaRapper:oneofasectfor(someof)whomIhavethehighestrespect，butwhomIdon’tbelievein。Iwasgoingtoaskhimthequestion，whenhetookthebreadoutofmymouth。”Youwillexcuseme，”saidthegentlemancontemptuously，”ifIamtoomuchinadvanceofcommonhumanitytotroublemyselfatallaboutit。Ihavepassedthenight——asindeedIpassthewholeofmytimenow——inspiritualintercourse。””O！”saidI，somewhatsnappishly。”Theconferencesofthenightbegan，”continuedthegentleman，turningseveralleavesofhisnote-book，”withthismessage:’Evilcommunicationscorruptgoodmanners。’””Sound，”saidI；”but，absolutelynew？””Newfromspirits，”returnedthegentleman。
Icouldonlyrepeatmyrathersnappish”O！”andaskifImightbefavoredwiththelastcommunication。”’Abirdinthehand，’”saidthegentleman，readinghislastentrywithgreatsolemnity，”’isworthtwointheBosh。’””TrulyIamofthesameopinion，”saidI；”butshouldn’titbeBush？””Itcametome，Bosh，”returnedthegentleman。
ThegentlemantheninformedmethatthespiritofSocrateshaddeliveredthisspecialrevelationinthecourseofthenight。”Myfriend，Ihopeyouareprettywell。Therearetwointhisrailwaycarriage。Howdoyoudo？Thereareseventeenthousandfourhundredandseventy-ninespiritshere，butyoucannotseethem。
Pythagorasishere。Heisnotatlibertytomentionit，buthopesyouliketravelling。”Galileolikewisehaddroppedin，withthisscientificintelligence。”Iamgladtoseeyou，amico。Comesta？
Waterwillfreezewhenitiscoldenough。Addio！”Inthecourseofthenight，also，thefollowingphenomenahadoccurred。BishopButlerhadinsistedonspellinghisname，”Bubler，”forwhichoffenceagainstorthographyandgoodmannershehadbeendismissedasoutoftemper。JohnMilton(suspectedofwilfulmystification)
hadrepudiatedtheauthorshipofParadiseLost，andhadintroduced，asjointauthorsofthatpoem，twoUnknowngentlemen，respectivelynamedGrungersandScadgingtone。AndPrinceArthur，nephewofKingJohnofEngland，haddescribedhimselfastolerablycomfortableintheseventhcircle，wherehewaslearningtopaintonvelvet，underthedirectionofMrs。TrimmerandMaryQueenofScots。
Ifthisshouldmeettheeyeofthegentlemanwhofavoredmewiththesedisclosures，Itrusthewillexcusemyconfessingthatthesightoftherisingsun，andthecontemplationofthemagnificentOrderofthevastUniverse，mademeimpatientofthem。Inaword，Iwassoimpatientofthem，thatIwasmightilygladtogetoutatthenextstation，andtoexchangethesecloudsandvaporsforthefreeairofHeaven。
Bythattimeitwasabeautifulmorning。AsIwalkedawayamongsuchleavesashadalreadyfallenfromthegolden，brown，andrussettrees；andasIlookedaroundmeonthewondersofCreation，andthoughtofthesteady，unchanging，andharmoniouslawsbywhichtheyaresustained；thegentleman’sspiritualintercourseseemedtomeaspoorapieceofjourney-workaseverthisworldsaw。Inwhichheathenstateofmind，Icamewithinviewofthehouse，andstoppedtoexamineitattentively。
Itwasasolitaryhouse，standinginasadlyneglectedgarden:aprettyevensquareofsometwoacres。ItwasahouseofaboutthetimeofGeorgetheSecond；asstiff，ascold，asformal，andinasbadtaste，ascouldpossiblybedesiredbythemostloyaladmirerofthewholequartetofGeorges。Itwasuninhabited，buthad，withinayearortwo，beencheaplyrepairedtorenderithabitable；
Isaycheaply，becausetheworkhadbeendoneinasurfacemanner，andwasalreadydecayingastothepaintandplaster，thoughthecolorswerefresh。Alop-sidedboarddroopedoverthegardenwall，announcingthatitwas”toletonveryreasonableterms，wellfurnished。”Itwasmuchtoocloselyandheavilyshadowedbytrees，and，inparticular，thereweresixtallpoplarsbeforethefrontwindows，whichwereexcessivelymelancholy，andthesiteofwhichhadbeenextremelyillchosen。
Itwaseasytoseethatitwasanavoidedhouse——ahousethatwasshunnedbythevillage，towhichmyeyewasguidedbyachurchspiresomehalfamileoff——ahousethatnobodywouldtake。Andthenaturalinferencewas，thatithadthereputationofbeingahauntedhouse。
Noperiodwithinthefour-and-twentyhoursofdayandnightissosolemntome，astheearlymorning。Inthesummer-time，Ioftenriseveryearly，andrepairtomyroomtodoaday’sworkbeforebreakfast，andIamalwaysonthoseoccasionsdeeplyimpressedbythestillnessandsolitudearoundme。Besidesthatthereissomethingawfulinthebeingsurroundedbyfamiliarfacesasleep——
intheknowledgethatthosewhoaredearesttousandtowhomwearedearest，areprofoundlyunconsciousofus，inanimpassivestate，anticipativeofthatmysteriousconditiontowhichwearealltending——thestoppedlife，thebrokenthreadsofyesterday，thedesertedseat，theclosedbook，theunfinishedbutabandonedoccupation，allareimagesofDeath。ThetranquillityofthehouristhetranquillityofDeath。Thecolorandthechillhavethesameassociation。Evenacertainairthatfamiliarhouseholdobjectstakeuponthemwhentheyfirstemergefromtheshadowsofthenightintothemorning，ofbeingnewer，andastheyusedtobelongago，hasitscounterpartinthesubsidenceofthewornfaceofmaturityorage，indeath，intotheoldyouthfullook。Moreover，I
oncesawtheapparitionofmyfather，atthishour。Hewasaliveandwell，andnothingevercameofit，butIsawhiminthedaylight，sittingwithhisbacktowardsme，onaseatthatstoodbesidemybed。Hisheadwasrestingonhishand，andwhetherhewasslumberingorgrieving，Icouldnotdiscern。Amazedtoseehimthere，Isatup，movedmyposition，leanedoutofbed，andwatchedhim。Ashedidnotmove，Ispoketohimmorethanonce。Ashedidnotmovethen，Ibecamealarmedandlaidmyhanduponhisshoulder，asIthought——andtherewasnosuchthing。
Forallthesereasons，andforotherslesseasilyandbrieflystatable，Ifindtheearlymorningtobemymostghostlytime。Anyhousewouldbemoreorlesshaunted，tome，intheearlymorning；
andahauntedhousecouldscarcelyaddressmetogreateradvantagethanthen。
Iwalkedonintothevillage，withthedesertionofthishouseuponmymind，andIfoundthelandlordofthelittleinn，sandinghisdoor-step。Ibespokebreakfast，andbroachedthesubjectofthehouse。”Isithaunted？”Iasked。
Thelandlordlookedatme，shookhishead，andanswered，”Isaynothing。””ThenitIShaunted？””Well！”criedthelandlord，inanoutburstoffranknessthathadtheappearanceofdesperation——”Iwouldn’tsleepinit。””Whynot？””IfIwantedtohaveallthebellsinahousering，withnobodytoring’em；andallthedoorsinahousebang，withnobodytobang’em；andallsortsoffeettreadingabout，withnofeetthere；why，then，”saidthelandlord，”I’dsleepinthathouse。””Isanythingseenthere？”
Thelandlordlookedatmeagain，andthen，withhisformerappearanceofdesperation，calleddownhisstable-yardfor”Ikey！”
Thecallproducedahigh-shoulderedyoungfellow，witharoundredface，ashortcropofsandyhair，averybroadhumorousmouth，aturned-upnose，andagreatsleevedwaistcoatofpurplebars，withmother-of-pearlbuttons，thatseemedtobegrowinguponhim，andtobeinafairway——ifitwerenotpruned——ofcoveringhisheadandoverrunninghisboots。”Thisgentlemanwantstoknow，”saidthelandlord，”ifanything’sseenatthePoplars。””’Oodedwomanwithahowl，”saidIkey，inastateofgreatfreshness。”Doyoumeanacry？””Imeanabird，sir。””Ahoodedwomanwithanowl。Dearme！Didyoueverseeher？””Iseenthehowl。””Neverthewoman？””Notsoplainasthehowl，buttheyalwayskeepstogether。””Hasanybodyeverseenthewomanasplainlyastheowl？””Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。””Who？””Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。””Thegeneral-dealeropposite，forinstance，whoisopeninghisshop？””Perkins？Blessyou，Perkinswouldn’tgoa-nightheplace。No！”
observedtheyoungman，withconsiderablefeeling；”hean’toverwise，an’tPerkins，buthean’tsuchafoolasTHAT。”
(Here，thelandlordmurmuredhisconfidenceinPerkins’sknowingbetter。)”Whois——orwhowas——thehoodedwomanwiththeowl？Doyouknow？””Well！”saidIkey，holdinguphiscapwithonehandwhilehescratchedhisheadwiththeother，”theysay，ingeneral，thatshewasmurdered，andthehowlhe’ootedthewhile。”
ThisveryconcisesummaryofthefactswasallIcouldlearn，exceptthatayoungman，asheartyandlikelyayoungmanaseverI
see，hadbeentookwithfitsandhelddownin’em，afterseeingthehoodedwoman。Also，thatapersonage，dimlydescribedas”aholdchap，asortofone-eyedtramp，answeringtothenameofJoby，unlessyouchallengedhimasGreenwood，andthenhesaid，’Whynot？
andevenifso，mindyourownbusiness，’”hadencounteredthehoodedwoman，amatteroffiveorsixtimes。But，Iwasnotmateriallyassistedbythesewitnesses:inasmuchasthefirstwasinCalifornia，andthelastwas，asIkeysaid(andhewasconfirmedbythelandlord)，Anywheres。
Now，althoughIregardwithahushedandsolemnfear，themysteries，betweenwhichandthisstateofexistenceisinterposedthebarrierofthegreattrialandchangethatfallonallthethingsthatlive；andalthoughIhavenottheaudacitytopretendthatIknowanythingofthem；Icannomorereconcilethemerebangingofdoors，ringingofbells，creakingofboards，andsuch-
likeinsignificances，withthemajesticbeautyandpervadinganalogyofalltheDivinerulesthatIampermittedtounderstand，thanIhadbeenable，alittlewhilebefore，toyokethespiritualintercourseofmyfellow-travellertothechariotoftherisingsun。Moreover，Ihadlivedintwohauntedhouses——bothabroad。Inoneofthese，anoldItalianpalace，whichborethereputationofbeingverybadlyhauntedindeed，andwhichhadrecentlybeentwiceabandonedonthataccount，Ilivedeightmonths，mosttranquillyandpleasantly:notwithstandingthatthehousehadascoreofmysteriousbedrooms，whichwereneverused，andpossessed，inonelargeroominwhichIsatreading，timesoutofnumberatallhours，andnexttowhichIslept，ahauntedchamberofthefirstpretensions。Igentlyhintedtheseconsiderationstothelandlord。
Andastothisparticularhousehavingabadname，Ireasonedwithhim，Why，howmanythingshadbadnamesundeservedly，andhoweasyitwastogivebadnames，anddidhenotthinkthatifheandI
werepersistentlytowhisperinthevillagethatanyweird-lookingolddrunkentinkeroftheneighborhoodhadsoldhimselftotheDevil，hewouldcomeintimetobesuspectedofthatcommercialventure！Allthiswisetalkwasperfectlyineffectivewiththelandlord，Iamboundtoconfess，andwasasdeadafailureaseverImadeinmylife。
Tocutthispartofthestoryshort，Iwaspiquedaboutthehauntedhouse，andwasalreadyhalfresolvedtotakeit。So，afterbreakfast，IgotthekeysfromPerkins’sbrother-in-law(awhipandharnessmaker，whokeepsthePostOffice，andisundersubmissiontoamostrigorouswifeoftheDoublySecedingLittleEmmanuelpersuasion)，andwentuptothehouse，attendedbymylandlordandbyIkey。
Within，Ifoundit，asIhadexpected，transcendentlydismal。Theslowlychangingshadowswavedonitfromtheheavytrees，weredolefulinthelastdegree；thehousewasill-placed，ill-built，ill-planned，andill-fitted。Itwasdamp，itwasnotfreefromdryrot，therewasaflavorofratsinit，anditwasthegloomyvictimofthatindescribabledecaywhichsettlesonalltheworkofman’shandswheneverit’snotturnedtoman’saccount。Thekitchensandofficesweretoolarge，andtooremotefromeachother。Abovestairsandbelow，wastetractsofpassageintervenedbetweenpatchesoffertilityrepresentedbyrooms；andtherewasamouldyoldwellwithagreengrowthuponit，hidinglikeamurderoustrap，nearthebottomoftheback-stairs，underthedoublerowofbells。
Oneofthesebellswaslabelled，onablackgroundinfadedwhiteletters，MASTERB。This，theytoldme，wasthebellthatrangthemost。”WhowasMasterB。？”Iasked。”Isitknownwhathedidwhiletheowlhooted？””Rangthebell，”saidIkey。
Iwasratherstruckbythepromptdexteritywithwhichthisyoungmanpitchedhisfurcapatthebell，andrangithimself。Itwasaloud，unpleasantbell，andmadeaverydisagreeablesound。Theotherbellswereinscribedaccordingtothenamesoftheroomstowhichtheirwireswereconducted:as”PictureRoom，””DoubleRoom，””ClockRoom，”andthelike。FollowingMasterB。’sbelltoitssourceIfoundthatyounggentlemantohavehadbutindifferentthird-classaccommodationinatriangularcabinunderthecock-
loft，withacornerfireplacewhichMasterB。musthavebeenexceedinglysmallifhewereeverabletowarmhimselfat，andacornerchimney-piecelikeapyramidalstaircasetotheceilingforTomThumb。Thepaperingofonesideoftheroomhaddroppeddownbodily，withfragmentsofplasteradheringtoit，andalmostblockedupthedoor。ItappearedthatMasterB。，inhisspiritualcondition，alwaysmadeapointofpullingthepaperdown。NeitherthelandlordnorIkeycouldsuggestwhyhemadesuchafoolofhimself。
Exceptthatthehousehadanimmenselylargeramblingloftattop，Imadenootherdiscoveries。Itwasmoderatelywellfurnished，butsparely。Someofthefurniture——say，athird——wasasoldasthehouse；therestwasofvariousperiodswithinthelasthalf-
century。Iwasreferredtoacorn-chandlerinthemarket-placeofthecountytowntotreatforthehouse。Iwentthatday，andI
tookitforsixmonths。
ItwasjustthemiddleofOctoberwhenImovedinwithmymaidensister(Iventuretocallhereight-and-thirty，sheissoveryhandsome，sensible，andengaging)。Wetookwithus，adeafstable-
man，mybloodhoundTurk，twowomenservants，andayoungpersoncalledanOddGirl。Ihavereasontorecordoftheattendantlastenumerated，whowasoneoftheSaintLawrence’sUnionFemaleOrphans，thatshewasafatalmistakeandadisastrousengagement。
Theyearwasdyingearly，theleaveswerefallingfast，itwasarawcolddaywhenwetookpossession，andthegloomofthehousewasmostdepressing。Thecook(anamiablewoman，butofaweakturnofintellect)burstintotearsonbeholdingthekitchen，andrequestedthathersilverwatchmightbedeliveredovertohersister(2Tuppintock’sGardens，Liggs’sWalk，ClaphamRise)，intheeventofanythinghappeningtoherfromthedamp。Streaker，thehousemaid，feignedcheerfulness，butwasthegreatermartyr。TheOddGirl，whohadneverbeeninthecountry，alonewaspleased，andmadearrangementsforsowinganacorninthegardenoutsidethescullerywindow，andrearinganoak。
Wewent，beforedark，throughallthenatural——asopposedtosupernatural——miseriesincidentaltoourstate。Dispiritingreportsascended(likethesmoke)fromthebasementinvolumes，anddescendedfromtheupperrooms。Therewasnorolling-pin，therewasnosalamander(whichfailedtosurpriseme，forIdon’tknowwhatitis)，therewasnothinginthehouse；whattherewas，wasbroken，thelastpeoplemusthavelivedlikepigs，whatcouldthemeaningofthelandlordbe？Throughthesedistresses，theOddGirlwascheerfulandexemplary。Butwithinfourhoursafterdarkwehadgotintoasupernaturalgroove，andtheOddGirlhadseen”Eyes，”andwasinhysterics。
MysisterandIhadagreedtokeepthehauntingstrictlytoourselves，andmyimpressionwas，andstillis，thatIhadnotleftIkey，whenhehelpedtounloadthecart，alonewiththewomen，oranyoneofthem，foroneminute。Nevertheless，asIsay，theOddGirlhad”seenEyes”(nootherexplanationcouldeverbedrawnfromher)，beforenine，andbyteno’clockhadhadasmuchvinegarappliedtoheraswouldpickleahandsomesalmon。
Ileaveadiscerningpublictojudgeofmyfeelings，when，undertheseuntowardcircumstances，atabouthalf-pastteno’clockMasterB。’sbellbegantoringinamostinfuriatedmanner，andTurkhowleduntilthehouseresoundedwithhislamentations！
IhopeImayneveragainbeinastateofmindsounchristianasthementalframeinwhichIlivedforsomeweeks，respectingthememoryofMasterB。Whetherhisbellwasrungbyrats，ormice，orbats，orwind，orwhatotheraccidentalvibration，orsometimesbyonecause，sometimesanother，andsometimesbycollusion，Idon’tknow；but，certainitis，thatitdidringtwonightsoutofthree，untilIconceivedthehappyideaoftwistingMasterB。’sneck——inotherwords，breakinghisbellshortoff——andsilencingthatyounggentleman，astomyexperienceandbelief，forever。
But，bythattime，theOddGirlhaddevelopedsuchimprovingpowersofcatalepsy，thatshehadbecomeashiningexampleofthatveryinconvenientdisorder。Shewouldstiffen，likeaGuyFawkesendowedwithunreason，onthemostirrelevantoccasions。Iwouldaddresstheservantsinalucidmanner，pointingouttothemthatI
hadpaintedMasterB。’sroomandbalkedthepaper，andtakenMasterB。’sbellawayandbalkedtheringing，andiftheycouldsupposethatthatconfoundedboyhadlivedanddied，toclothehimselfwithnobetterbehaviorthanwouldmostunquestionablyhavebroughthimandthesharpestparticlesofabirch-broomintocloseacquaintanceinthepresentimperfectstateofexistence，couldtheyalsosupposeamerepoorhumanbeing，suchasIwas，capablebythosecontemptiblemeansofcounteractingandlimitingthepowersofthedisembodiedspiritsofthedead，orofanyspirits？——IsayIwouldbecomeemphaticandcogent，nottosayrathercomplacent，insuchanaddress，whenitwouldallgofornothingbyreasonoftheOddGirl’ssuddenlystiffeningfromthetoesupward，andglaringamonguslikeaparochialpetrifaction。
Streaker，thehousemaid，too，hadanattributeofamostdiscomfitingnature。Iamunabletosaywhethershewasofanusuallylymphatictemperament，orwhatelsewasthematterwithher，butthisyoungwomanbecameamereDistilleryfortheproductionofthelargestandmosttransparenttearsIevermetwith。Combinedwiththesecharacteristics，wasapeculiartenacityofholdinthosespecimens，sothattheydidn’tfall，buthunguponherfaceandnose。Inthiscondition，andmildlyanddeplorablyshakingherhead，hersilencewouldthrowmemoreheavilythantheAdmirableCrichtoncouldhavedoneinaverbaldisputationforapurseofmoney。Cook，likewise，alwayscoveredmewithconfusionaswithagarment，byneatlywindingupthesessionwiththeprotestthattheOusewaswearingherout，andbymeeklyrepeatingherlastwishesregardinghersilverwatch。
Astoournightlylife，thecontagionofsuspicionandfearwasamongus，andthereisnosuchcontagionunderthesky。Hoodedwoman？Accordingtotheaccounts，wewereinaperfectConventofhoodedwomen。Noises？Withthatcontagiondownstairs，Imyselfhavesatinthedismalparlor，listening，untilIhaveheardsomanyandsuchstrangenoises，thattheywouldhavechilledmybloodifIhadnotwarmeditbydashingouttomakediscoveries。Trythisinbed，inthedeadofthenight:trythisatyourowncomfortablefire-side，inthelifeofthenight。Youcanfillanyhousewithnoises，ifyouwill，untilyouhaveanoiseforeverynerveinyournervoussystem。
Irepeat；thecontagionofsuspicionandfearwasamongus，andthereisnosuchcontagionunderthesky。Thewomen(theirnosesinachronicstateofexcoriationfromsmelling-salts)werealwaysprimedandloadedforaswoon，andreadytogooffwithhair-
triggers。ThetwoelderdetachedtheOddGirlonallexpeditionsthatwereconsidereddoublyhazardous，andshealwaysestablishedthereputationofsuchadventuresbycomingbackcataleptic。IfCookorStreakerwentoverheadafterdark，weknewweshouldpresentlyhearabumpontheceiling；andthistookplacesoconstantly，thatitwasasifafightingmanwereengagedtogoaboutthehouse，administeringatouchofhisartwhichIbelieveiscalledTheAuctioneer，toeverydomestichemetwith。
Itwasinvaintodoanything。Itwasinvaintobefrightened，forthemomentinone’sownperson，byarealowl，andthentoshowtheowl。Itwasinvaintodiscover，bystrikinganaccidentaldiscordonthepiano，thatTurkalwayshowledatparticularnotesandcombinations。ItwasinvaintobeaRhadamanthuswiththebells，andifanunfortunatebellrangwithoutleave，tohaveitdowninexorablyandsilenceit。Itwasinvaintofireupchimneys，lettorchesdownthewell，chargefuriouslyintosuspectedroomsandrecesses。Wechangedservants，anditwasnobetter。Thenewsetranaway，andathirdsetcame，anditwasnobetter。Atlast，ourcomfortablehousekeepinggottobesodisorganisedandwretched，thatIonenightdejectedlysaidtomysister:”Patty，Ibegintodespairofourgettingpeopletogoonwithushere，andIthinkwemustgivethisup。”
Mysister，whoisawomanofimmensespirit，replied，”No，John，don’tgiveitup。Don’tbebeaten，John。Thereisanotherway。””Andwhatisthat？”saidI。”John，”returnedmysister，”ifwearenottobedrivenoutofthishouse，andthatfornoreasonwhatever，thatisapparenttoyouorme，wemusthelpourselvesandtakethehousewhollyandsolelyintoourownhands。””But，theservants，”saidI。”Havenoservants，”saidmysister，boldly。
Likemostpeopleinmygradeoflife，Ihadneverthoughtofthepossibilityofgoingonwithoutthosefaithfulobstructions。Thenotionwassonewtomewhensuggested，thatIlookedverydoubtful。”Weknowtheycomeheretobefrightenedandinfectoneanother，andweknowtheyarefrightenedanddoinfectoneanother，”saidmysister。”WiththeexceptionofBottles，”Iobserved，inameditativetone。
(Thedeafstable-man。Ikepthiminmyservice，andstillkeephim，asaphenomenonofmorosenessnottobematchedinEngland。)”Tobesure，John，”assentedmysister；”exceptBottles。Andwhatdoesthatgotoprove？Bottlestalkstonobody，andhearsnobodyunlessheisabsolutelyroaredat，andwhatalarmhasBottlesevergiven，ortaken？None。”
Thiswasperfectlytrue；theindividualinquestionhavingretired，everynightatteno’clock，tohisbedoverthecoach-house，withnoothercompanythanapitchforkandapailofwater。Thatthepailofwaterwouldhavebeenoverme，andthepitchforkthroughme，ifIhadputmyselfwithoutannouncementinBottles’swayafterthatminute，Ihaddepositedinmyownmindasafactworthremembering。NeitherhadBottlesevertakentheleastnoticeofanyofourmanyuproars。Animperturbableandspeechlessman，hehadsatathissupper，withStreakerpresentinaswoon，andtheOddGirlmarble，andhadonlyputanotherpotatoinhischeek，orprofitedbythegeneralmiserytohelphimselftobeefsteakpie。”Andso，”continuedmysister，”IexemptBottles。Andconsidering，John，thatthehouseistoolarge，andperhapstoolonely，tobekeptwellinhandbyBottles，you，andme，Iproposethatwecastaboutamongourfriendsforacertainselectednumberofthemostreliableandwilling——formaSocietyhereforthreemonths——waituponourselvesandoneanother——livecheerfullyandsocially——andseewhathappens。”
Iwassocharmedwithmysister，thatIembracedheronthespot，andwentintoherplanwiththegreatestardor。
WeweretheninthethirdweekofNovember；but，wetookourmeasuressovigorously，andweresowellsecondedbythefriendsinwhomweconfided，thattherewasstillaweekofthemonthunexpired，whenourpartyallcamedowntogethermerrily，andmusteredinthehauntedhouse。
Iwillmention，inthisplace，twosmallchangesthatImadewhilemysisterandIwereyetalone。ItoccurringtomeasnotimprobablethatTurkhowledinthehouseatnight，partlybecausehewantedtogetoutofit，Istationedhiminhiskenneloutside，butunchained；andIseriouslywarnedthevillagethatanymanwhocameinhiswaymustnotexpecttoleavehimwithoutaripinhisownthroat。IthencasuallyaskedIkeyifhewereajudgeofagun？Onhissaying，”Yes，sir，IknowsagoodgunwhenIseesher，”Ibeggedthefavorofhissteppinguptothehouseandlookingatmine。”SHE’Satrueone，sir，”saidIkey，afterinspectingadouble-
barrelledriflethatIboughtinNewYorkafewyearsago。”NomistakeaboutHER，sir。””Ikey，”saidI，”don’tmentionit；Ihaveseensomethinginthishouse。””No，sir？”hewhispered，greedilyopeninghiseyes。”’Oodedlady，sir？””Don’tbefrightened，”saidI。”Itwasafigureratherlikeyou。””Lord，sir？””Ikey！”saidI，shakinghandswithhimwarmly，Imaysayaffectionately；”ifthereisanytruthintheseghost-stories，thegreatestserviceIcandoyou，is，tofireatthatfigure。AndI
promiseyou，byHeavenandearth，IwilldoitwiththisgunifI
seeitagain！”
Theyoungmanthankedme，andtookhisleavewithsomelittleprecipitation，afterdecliningaglassofliquor。Iimpartedmysecrettohim，becauseIhadneverquiteforgottenhisthrowinghiscapatthebell；becauseIhad，onanotheroccasion，noticedsomethingverylikeafurcap，lyingnotfarfromthebell，onenightwhenithadburstoutringing；andbecauseIhadremarkedthatwewereatourghostliestwheneverhecameupintheeveningtocomforttheservants。LetmedoIkeynoinjustice。Hewasafraidofthehouse，andbelievedinitsbeinghaunted；andyethewouldplayfalseonthehauntingside，sosurelyashegotanopportunity。TheOddGirl’scasewasexactlysimilar。Shewentaboutthehouseinastateofrealterror，andyetliedmonstrouslyandwilfully，andinventedmanyofthealarmsshespread，andmademanyofthesoundsweheard。Ihadhadmyeyeonthetwo，andI
knowit。Itisnotnecessaryforme，here，toaccountforthispreposterousstateofmind；Icontentmyselfwithremarkingthatitisfamiliarlyknowntoeveryintelligentmanwhohashadfairmedical，legal，orotherwatchfulexperience；thatitisaswellestablishedandascommonastateofmindasanywithwhichobserversareacquainted；andthatitisoneofthefirstelements，aboveallothers，rationallytobesuspectedin，andstrictlylookedfor，andseparatedfrom，anyquestionofthiskind。
Toreturntoourparty。Thefirstthingwedidwhenwewereallassembled，was，todrawlotsforbedrooms。Thatdone，andeverybedroom，and，indeed，thewholehouse，havingbeenminutelyexaminedbythewholebody，weallottedthevarioushouseholdduties，asifwehadbeenonagipsyparty，orayachtingparty，orahuntingparty，orwereshipwrecked。Ithenrecountedthefloatingrumorsconcerningthehoodedlady，theowl，andMasterB。:
withothers，stillmorefilmy，whichhadfloatedaboutduringouroccupation，relativetosomeridiculousoldghostofthefemalegenderwhowentupanddown，carryingtheghostofaroundtable；
andalsotoanimpalpableJackass，whomnobodywaseverabletocatch。SomeoftheseideasIreallybelieveourpeoplebelowhadcommunicatedtooneanotherinsomediseasedway，withoutconveyingtheminwords。Wethengravelycalledoneanothertowitness，thatwewerenottheretobedeceived，ortodeceive——whichweconsideredprettymuchthesamething——andthat，withaserioussenseofresponsibility，wewouldbestrictlytruetooneanother，andwouldstrictlyfollowoutthetruth。Theunderstandingwasestablished，thatanyonewhoheardunusualnoisesinthenight，andwhowishedtotracethem，shouldknockatmydoor；lastly，thatonTwelfthNight，thelastnightofholyChristmas，allourindividualexperiencessincethatthenpresenthourofourcomingtogetherinthehauntedhouse，shouldbebroughttolightforthegoodofall；andthatwewouldholdourpeaceonthesubjecttillthen，unlessonsomeremarkableprovocationtobreaksilence。
Wewere，innumberandincharacter，asfollows:
First——togetmysisterandmyselfoutoftheway——therewerewetwo。Inthedrawingoflots，mysisterdrewherownroom，andI
drewMasterB。’s。Next，therewasourfirstcousinJohnHerschel，socalledafterthegreatastronomer:thanwhomIsupposeabettermanatatelescopedoesnotbreathe。Withhim，washiswife:acharmingcreaturetowhomhehadbeenmarriedinthepreviousspring。Ithoughtit(underthecircumstances)ratherimprudenttobringher，becausethereisnoknowingwhatevenafalsealarmmaydoatsuchatime；butIsupposeheknewhisownbusinessbest，andImustsaythatifshehadbeenMYwife，Inevercouldhaveleftherendearingandbrightfacebehind。TheydrewtheClockRoom。
AlfredStarling，anuncommonlyagreeableyoungfellowofeight-and-
twentyforwhomIhavethegreatestliking，wasintheDoubleRoom；
mine，usually，anddesignatedbythatnamefromhavingadressing-
roomwithinit，withtwolargeandcumbersomewindows，whichnowedgesIwaseverabletomake，wouldkeepfromshaking，inanyweather，windornowind。Alfredisayoungfellowwhopretendstobe”fast”(anotherwordforloose，asIunderstandtheterm)，butwhoismuchtoogoodandsensibleforthatnonsense，andwhowouldhavedistinguishedhimselfbeforenow，ifhisfatherhadnotunfortunatelylefthimasmallindependenceoftwohundredayear，onthestrengthofwhichhisonlyoccupationinlifehasbeentospendsix。Iaminhopes，however，thathisBankermaybreak，orthathemayenterintosomespeculationguaranteedtopaytwentypercent。；for，Iamconvincedthatifhecouldonlyberuined，hisfortuneismade。BelindaBates，bosomfriendofmysister，andamostintellectual，amiable，anddelightfulgirl，gotthePictureRoom。Shehasafinegeniusforpoetry，combinedwithrealbusinessearnestness，and”goesin”——touseanexpressionofAlfred’s——forWoman’smission，Woman’srights，Woman’swrongs，andeverythingthatiswoman’swithacapitalW，orisnotandoughttobe，orisandoughtnottobe。”Mostpraiseworthy，mydear，andHeavenprosperyou！”IwhisperedtoheronthefirstnightofmytakingleaveofheratthePicture-Roomdoor，”butdon’toverdoit。
Andinrespectofthegreatnecessitythereis，mydarling，formoreemploymentsbeingwithinthereachofWomanthanourcivilisationhasasyetassignedtoher，don’tflyattheunfortunatemen，eventhosemenwhoareatfirstsightinyourway，asiftheywerethenaturaloppressorsofyoursex；for，trustme，Belinda，theydosometimesspendtheirwagesamongwivesanddaughters，sisters，mothers，aunts，andgrandmothers；andtheplayis，really，notALLWolfandRedRiding-Hood，buthasotherpartsinit。”However，Idigress。
Belinda，asIhavementioned，occupiedthePictureRoom。Wehadbutthreeotherchambers:theCornerRoom，theCupboardRoom，andtheGardenRoom。Myoldfriend，JackGovernor，”slunghishammock，”ashecalledit，intheCornerRoom。IhavealwaysregardedJackasthefinest-lookingsailorthateversailed。Heisgraynow，butashandsomeashewasaquarterofacenturyago——
nay，handsomer。Aportly，cheery，well-builtfigureofabroad-
shoulderedman，withafranksmile，abrilliantdarkeye，andarichdarkeyebrow。Irememberthoseunderdarkerhair，andtheylookallthebetterfortheirsilversetting。HehasbeenwhereverhisUnionnamesakeflies，hasJack，andIhavemetoldshipmatesofhis，awayintheMediterraneanandontheothersideoftheAtlantic，whohavebeamedandbrightenedatthecasualmentionofhisname，andhavecried，”YouknowJackGovernor？Thenyouknowaprinceofmen！”Thatheis！Andsounmistakablyanavalofficer，thatifyouweretomeethimcomingoutofanEsquimauxsnow-hutinseal’sskin，youwouldbevaguelypersuadedhewasinfullnavaluniform。
Jackoncehadthatbrightcleareyeofhisonmysister；but，itfelloutthathemarriedanotherladyandtookhertoSouthAmerica，whereshedied。Thiswasadozenyearsagoormore。Hebroughtdownwithhimtoourhauntedhousealittlecaskofsaltbeef；for，heisalwaysconvincedthatallsaltbeefnotofhisownpickling，ismerecarrion，andinvariably，whenhegoestoLondon，packsapieceinhisportmanteau。Hehadalsovolunteeredtobringwithhimone”NatBeaver，”anoldcomradeofhis，captainofamerchantman。Mr。Beaver，withathick-setwoodenfaceandfigure，andapparentlyashardasablockallover，provedtobeanintelligentman，withaworldofwateryexperiencesinhim，andgreatpracticalknowledge。Attimes，therewasacuriousnervousnessabouthim，apparentlythelingeringresultofsomeoldillness；but，itseldomlastedmanyminutes。HegottheCupboardRoom，andlaytherenexttoMr。Undery，myfriendandsolicitor:
whocamedown，inanamateurcapacity，”togothroughwithit，”ashesaid，andwhoplayswhistbetterthanthewholeLawList，fromtheredcoveratthebeginningtotheredcoverattheend。
Ineverwashappierinmylife，andIbelieveitwastheuniversalfeelingamongus。JackGovernor，alwaysamanofwonderfulresources，wasChiefCook，andmadesomeofthebestdishesIeverate，includingunapproachablecurries。Mysisterwaspastrycookandconfectioner。StarlingandIwereCook’sMate，turnandturnabout，andonspecialoccasionsthechiefcook”pressed”Mr。
Beaver。Wehadagreatdealofoutdoorsportandexercise，butnothingwasneglectedwithin，andtherewasnoill-humorormisunderstandingamongus，andoureveningsweresodelightfulthatwehadatleastonegoodreasonforbeingreluctanttogotobed。
Wehadafewnightalarmsinthebeginning。Onthefirstnight，I
wasknockedupbyJackwithamostwonderfulship’slanterninhishand，likethegillsofsomemonsterofthedeep，whoinformedmethathe”wasgoingalofttothemaintruck，”tohavetheweathercockdown。ItwasastormynightandIremonstrated；butJackcalledmyattentiontoitsmakingasoundlikeacryofdespair，andsaidsomebodywouldbe”hailingaghost”presently，ifitwasn’tdone。So，uptothetopofthehouse，whereIcouldhardlystandforthewind，wewent，accompaniedbyMr。Beaver；andthereJack，lanternandall，withMr。Beaverafterhim，swarmeduptothetopofacupola，sometwodozenfeetabovethechimneys，andstooduponnothingparticular，coollyknockingtheweathercockoff，untiltheybothgotintosuchgoodspiritswiththewindandtheheight，thatIthoughttheywouldnevercomedown。Anothernight，theyturnedoutagain，andhadachimney-cowloff。Anothernight，theycutasobbingandgulpingwater-pipeaway。Anothernight，theyfoundoutsomethingelse。Onseveraloccasions，theyboth，inthecoolestmanner，simultaneouslydroppedoutoftheirrespectivebedroomwindows，handoverhandbytheircounterpanes，to”overhaul”somethingmysteriousinthegarden。
Theengagementamonguswasfaithfullykept，andnobodyrevealedanything。Allweknewwas，ifanyone’sroomwerehaunted，noonelookedtheworseforit。
TheforegoingstoryisparticularlyinterestingasillustratingtheleaningofDickens’smindtowardthespiritualisticandmysticalfanciescurrentinhistime，andthecounterbalanceofhiscommonsenseandfun。”Heprobablynevermadeuphisownmind，”Mr。AndrewLangdeclaresinadiscussionofthisHauntedHousestory。Mr。Langsaysheoncetookpartinasimilarquest，and”canrecognizetheaccuracyofmostofDickens’sremarks。Indeed，eventopersonsnotontheleveloftheOddGirlineducation，thetemptationtoproduce’phenomena’forfunisallbutoverwhelming。Thatpeoplecommunicatehallucinationstoeachother’insomediseasedwaywithoutwords，’isamoderntheoryperhapsfirstformulatedherebyDickens。””TheSignalMan’sStory，”whichfollows，islikewise，Mr。Langbelieves，”probablybasedonsomerealstoryofthekind，someanecdoteofpremonitions。TherearescoresintherecordsoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch。”——TheEditor。
NO。1BRANCHLINE:THESIGNAL-MAN”Halloa！Belowthere！”
Whenheheardavoicethuscallingtohim，hewasstandingatthedoorofhisbox，withaflaginhishand，furledrounditsshortpole。Onewouldhavethought，consideringthenatureoftheground，thathecouldnothavedoubtedfromwhatquarterthevoicecame；butinsteadoflookinguptowhereIstoodonthetopofthesteepcuttingnearlyoverhishead，heturnedhimselfabout，andlookeddowntheLine。Therewassomethingremarkableinhismannerofdoingso，thoughIcouldnothavesaidformylifewhat。ButI
knowitwasremarkableenoughtoattractmynotice，eventhoughhisfigurewasforeshortenedandshadowed，downinthedeeptrench，andminewashighabovehim，sosteepedintheglowofanangrysunset，thatIhadshadedmyeyeswithmyhandbeforeIsawhimatall。”Halloa！Below！”
FromlookingdowntheLine，heturnedhimselfaboutagain，and，raisinghiseyes，sawmyfigurehighabovehim。”IsthereanypathbywhichIcancomedownandspeaktoyou？”
Helookedupatmewithoutreplying，andIlookeddownathimwithoutpressinghimtoosoonwitharepetitionofmyidlequestion。Justthentherecameavaguevibrationintheearthandair，quicklychangingintoaviolentpulsation，andanoncomingrushthatcausedmetostartback，asthoughithadaforcetodrawmedown。Whensuchvaporasrosetomyheightfromthisrapidtrainhadpassedme，andwasskimmingawayoverthelandscape，I
lookeddownagain，andsawhimrefurlingtheflaghehadshownwhilethetrainwentby。
Irepeatedmyinquiry。Afterapause，duringwhichheseemedtoregardmewithfixedattention，hemotionedwithhisrolled-upflagtowardsapointonmylevel，sometwoorthreehundredyardsdistant。Icalleddowntohim，”Allright！”andmadeforthatpoint。There，bydintoflookingcloselyaboutme，Ifoundaroughzigzagdescendingpathnotchedout，whichIfollowed。
Thecuttingwasextremelydeep，andunusuallyprecipitate。Itwasmadethroughaclammystone，thatbecameoozierandwetterasI
wentdown。Forthesereasons，Ifoundthewaylongenoughtogivemetimetorecallasingularairofreluctanceorcompulsionwithwhichhehadpointedoutthepath。
WhenIcamedownlowenoughuponthezigzagdescenttoseehimagain，Isawthathewasstandingbetweentherailsonthewaybywhichthetrainhadlatelypassed，inanattitudeasifhewerewaitingformetoappear。Hehadhislefthandathischin，andthatleftelbowrestedonhisrighthand，crossedoverhisbreast。
HisattitudewasoneofsuchexpectationandwatchfulnessthatI
stoppedamoment，wonderingatit。
Iresumedmydownwardway，andsteppingoutupontheleveloftherailroad，anddrawingnearertohim，sawthathewasadark，sallowman，withadarkbeardandratherheavyeyebrows。HispostwasinassolitaryanddismalaplaceaseverIsaw。Oneitherside，adripping-wetwallofjaggedstone，excludingallviewbutastripofsky；theperspectiveonewayonlyacrookedprolongationofthisgreatdungeon；theshorterperspectiveintheotherdirectionterminatinginagloomyredlight，andthegloomierentrancetoablacktunnel，inwhosemassivearchitecturetherewasabarbarous，depressing，andforbiddingair。Solittlesunlighteverfounditswaytothisspot，thatithadanearthy，deadlysmell；andsomuchcoldwindrushedthroughit，thatitstruckchilltome，asifI
hadleftthenaturalworld。
Beforehestirred，Iwasnearenoughtohimtohavetouchedhim。
Noteventhenremovinghiseyesfrommine，hesteppedbackonestep，andliftedhishand。
Thiswasalonesomeposttooccupy(Isaid)，andithadrivetedmyattentionwhenIlookeddownfromupyonder。Avisitorwasararity，Ishouldsuppose；notanunwelcomerarity，Ihoped？Inme，hemerelysawamanwhohadbeenshutupwithinnarrowlimitsallhislife，andwho，beingatlastsetfree，hadanewly-awakenedinterestinthesegreatworks。TosuchpurposeIspoketohim；butIamfarfromsureofthetermsIused；for，besidesthatIamnothappyinopeninganyconversation，therewassomethinginthemanthatdauntedme。
Hedirectedamostcuriouslooktowardstheredlightnearthetunnel’smouth，andlookedallaboutit，asifsomethingweremissingfromit，andthenlookeditme。
Thatlightwaspartofhischarge？Wasitnot？
Heansweredinalowvoice，——”Don’tyouknowitis？”
Themonstrousthoughtcameintomymind，asIperusedthefixedeyesandthesaturnineface，thatthiswasaspirit，notaman。I
havespeculatedsince，whethertheremayhavebeeninfectioninhismind。
Inmyturn，Isteppedback。Butinmakingtheaction，Idetectedinhiseyessomelatentfearofme。Thisputthemonstrousthoughttoflight。”Youlookatme，”Isaid，forcingasmile，”asifyouhadadreadofme。””Iwasdoubtful，”hereturned，”whetherIhadseenyoubefore。””Where？”
Hepointedtotheredlighthehadlookedat。”There？”Isaid。
Intentlywatchfulofme，hereplied(butwithoutsound)，”Yes。””Mygoodfellow，whatshouldIdothere？However，bethatasitmay，Ineverwasthere，youmayswear。””IthinkImay，”herejoined。”Yes；IamsureImay。”
Hismannercleared，likemyown。Herepliedtomyremarkswithreadiness，andinwell-chosenwords。Hadhemuchtodothere？
Yes；thatwastosay，hehadenoughresponsibilitytobear；butexactnessandwatchfulnesswerewhatwasrequiredofhim，andofactualwork——manuallabor——hehadnexttonone。Tochangethatsignal，totrimthoselights，andtoturnthisironhandlenowandthen，wasallhehadtodounderthathead。RegardingthosemanylongandlonelyhoursofwhichIseemedtomakesomuch，hecouldonlysaythattheroutineofhislifehadshapeditselfintothatform，andhehadgrownusedtoit。Hehadtaughthimselfalanguagedownhere，——ifonlytoknowitbysight，andtohaveformedhisowncrudeideasofitspronunciation，couldbecalledlearningit。Hehadalsoworkedatfractionsanddecimals，andtriedalittlealgebra；buthewas，andhadbeenasaboy，apoorhandatfigures。Wasitnecessaryforhimwhenondutyalwaystoremaininthatchannelofdampair，andcouldheneverriseintothesunshinefrombetweenthosehighstonewalls？Why，thatdependedupontimesandcircumstances。UndersomeconditionstherewouldbelessupontheLinethanunderothers，andthesameheldgoodastocertainhoursofthedayandnight。Inbrightweather，hedidchooseoccasionsforgettingalittleabovetheselowershadows；but，beingatalltimesliabletobecalledbyhiselectricbell，andatsuchtimeslisteningforitwithredoubledanxiety，thereliefwaslessthanIwouldsuppose。
Hetookmeintohisbox，wheretherewasafire，adeskforanofficialbookinwhichhehadtomakecertainentries，atelegraphicinstrumentwithitsdial，face，andneedles，andthelittlebellofwhichhehadspoken。Onmytrustingthathewouldexcusetheremarkthathehadbeenwelleducated，and(IhopedI
mightsaywithoutoffence)perhapseducatedabovethatstation，heobservedthatinstancesofslightincongruityinsuchwisewouldrarelybefoundwantingamonglargebodiesofmen；thathehadhearditwassoinworkhouses，inthepoliceforce，eveninthatlastdesperateresource，thearmy；andthatheknewitwasso，moreorless，inanygreatrailwaystaff。Hehadbeen，whenyoung(ifI
couldbelieveit，sittinginthathut，——hescarcelycould)，astudentofnaturalphilosophy，andhadattendedlectures；buthehadrunwild，misusedhisopportunities，gonedown，andneverrisenagain。Hehadnocomplainttoofferaboutthat。Hehadmadehisbed，andhelayuponit。Itwasfartoolatetomakeanother。
AllthatIhaveherecondensedhesaidinaquietmanner，withhisgravedarkregardsdividedbetweenmeandthefire。Hethrewintheword，”Sir，”fromtimetotime，andespeciallywhenhereferredtohisyouth，——asthoughtorequestmetounderstandthatheclaimedtobenothingbutwhatIfoundhim。Hewasseveraltimesinterruptedbythelittlebell，andhadtoreadoffmessages，andsendreplies。Oncehehadtostandwithoutthedoor，anddisplayaflagasatrainpassed，andmakesomeverbalcommunicationtothedriver。Inthedischargeofhisduties，Iobservedhimtoberemarkablyexactandvigilant，breakingoffhisdiscourseatasyllable，andremainingsilentuntilwhathehadtodowasdone。
Inaword，Ishouldhavesetthismandownasoneofthesafestofmentobeemployedinthatcapacity，butforthecircumstancethatwhilehewasspeakingtomehetwicebrokeoffwithafallencolor，turnedhisfacetowardsthelittlebellwhenitdidNOTring，openedthedoorofthehut(whichwaskeptshuttoexcludetheunhealthydamp)，andlookedouttowardstheredlightnearthemouthofthetunnel。Onbothofthoseoccasions，hecamebacktothefirewiththeinexplicableairuponhimwhichIhadremarked，withoutbeingabletodefine，whenweweresofarasunder。
SaidI，whenIrosetoleavehim，”YoualmostmakemethinkthatI
havemetwithacontentedman。”
(IamafraidImustacknowledgethatIsaidittoleadhimon。)”IbelieveIusedtobeso，”herejoined，inthelowvoiceinwhichhehadfirstspoken；”butIamtroubled，sir，Iamtroubled。”
Hewouldhaverecalledthewordsifhecould。Hehadsaidthem，however，andItookthemupquickly。”Withwhat？Whatisyourtrouble？””Itisverydifficulttoimpart，sir。Itisvery，verydifficulttospeakof。Ifeveryoumakemeanothervisit，Iwilltrytotellyou。””ButIexpresslyintendtomakeyouanothervisit。Say，whenshallitbe？””Igooffearlyinthemorning，andIshallbeonagainattento-
morrownight，sir。””Iwillcomeateleven。”
Hethankedme，andwentoutatthedoorwithme。”I’llshowmywhitelight，sir，”hesaid，inhispeculiarlowvoice，”tillyouhavefoundthewayup。Whenyouhavefoundit，don’tcallout！
Andwhenyouareatthetop，don’tcallout！”
Hismannerseemedtomaketheplacestrikecoldertome，butIsaidnomorethan，”Verywell。””Andwhenyoucomedownto-morrownight，don’tcallout！Letmeaskyouapartingquestion。Whatmadeyoucry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’to-night？””Heavenknows，”saidI。”Icriedsomethingtothateffect——””Nottothateffect，sir。Thoseweretheverywords。Iknowthemwell。””Admitthoseweretheverywords。Isaidthem，nodoubt，becauseI
sawyoubelow。””Fornootherreason？””WhatotherreasoncouldIpossiblyhave？””Youhadnofeelingthattheywereconveyedtoyouinanysupernaturalway？””No。”
Hewishedmegood-night，andhelduphislight。IwalkedbythesideofthedownLineofrails(withaverydisagreeablesensationofatraincomingbehindme)untilIfoundthepath。Itwaseasiertomountthantodescend，andIgotbacktomyinnwithoutanyadventure。
Punctualtomyappointment，Iplacedmyfootonthefirstnotchofthezigzagnextnight，asthedistantclockswerestrikingeleven。
Hewaswaitingformeatthebottom，withhiswhitelighton。”I
havenotcalledout，”Isaid，whenwecameclosetogether；”mayI
speaknow？””Byallmeans，sir。””Good-night，then，andhere’smyhand。””Good-night，sir，andhere’smine。”Withthatwewalkedsidebysidetohisbox，enteredit，closedthedoor，andsatdownbythefire。”Ihavemadeupmymind，sir，”hebegan，bendingforwardassoonaswewereseated，andspeakinginatonebutalittleaboveawhisper，”thatyoushallnothavetoaskmetwicewhattroublesme。
Itookyouforsomeoneelseyesterdayevening。Thattroublesme。””Thatmistake？””No。Thatsomeoneelse。””Whoisit？””Idon’tknow。””Likeme？””Idon’tknow。Ineversawtheface。Theleftarmisacrosstheface，andtherightarmiswaved，——violentlywaved。Thisway。”
Ifollowedhisactionwithmyeyes，anditwastheactionofanarmgesticulating，withtheutmostpassionandvehemence，”ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！””Onemoonlightnight，”saidtheman，”Iwassittinghere，whenI
heardavoicecry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’Istartedup，lookedfromthatdoor，andsawthisSomeoneelsestandingbytheredlightnearthetunnel，wavingasIjustnowshowedyou。Thevoiceseemedhoarsewithshouting，anditcried，’Lookout！Lookout！’Andthenattain，’Halloa！Belowthere！Lookout！’Icaughtupmylamp，turneditonred，andrantowardsthefigure，calling，’What’swrong？Whathashappened？Where？’Itstoodjustoutsidetheblacknessofthetunnel。IadvancedsocloseuponitthatI
wonderedatitskeepingthesleeveacrossitseyes。Iranrightupatit，andhadmyhandstretchedouttopullthesleeveaway，whenitwasgone。””Intothetunnel？”saidI。”No。Iranonintothetunnel，fivehundredyards。Istopped，andheldmylampabovemyhead，andsawthefiguresofthemeasureddistance，andsawthewetstainsstealingdownthewallsandtricklingthroughthearch。IranoutagainfasterthanIhadrunin(forIhadamortalabhorrenceoftheplaceuponme)，andI
lookedallroundtheredlightwithmyownredlight，andIwentuptheironladdertothegalleryatopofit，andIcamedownagain，andranbackhere。Itelegraphedbothways，’Analarmhasbeengiven。Isanythingwrong？’Theanswercameback，bothways，’Allwell。’”
Resistingtheslowtouchofafrozenfingertracingoutmyspine，I
showedhimhowthatthisfiguremustbeadeceptionofhissenseofsight；andhowthatfigures，originatingindiseaseofthedelicatenervesthatministertothefunctionsoftheeye，wereknowntohaveoftentroubledpatients，someofwhomhadbecomeconsciousofthenatureoftheiraffliction，andhadevenproveditbyexperimentsuponthemselves。”Astoanimaginarycry，”saidI，”dobutlistenforamomenttothewindinthisunnaturalvalleywhilewespeaksolow，andtothewildharpitmakesofthetelegraphwires。”
Thatwasallverywell，hereturned，afterwehadsatlisteningforawhile，andheoughttoknowsomethingofthewindandthewires，——
hewhosooftenpassedlongwinternightsthere，aloneandwatching。Buthewouldbegtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iaskedhispardon，andheslowlyaddedthesewords，touchingmyarm——”WithinsixhoursaftertheAppearance，thememorableaccidentonthisLinehappened，andwithintenhoursthedeadandwoundedwerebroughtalongthroughthetunneloverthespotwherethefigurehadstood。”
Adisagreeableshuddercreptoverme，butIdidmybestagainstit。
Itwasnottobedenied，Irejoined，thatthiswasaremarkablecoincidence，calculateddeeplytoimpresshismind。Butitwasunquestionablethatremarkablecoincidencesdidcontinuallyoccur，andtheymustbetakenintoaccountindealingwithsuchasubject。
ThoughtobesureImustadmit，Iadded(forIthoughtIsawthathewasgoingtobringtheobjectiontobearuponme)，menofcommonsensedidnotallowmuchforcoincidencesinmakingtheordinarycalculationsoflife。
Heagainbeggedtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iagainbeggedhispardonforbeingbetrayedintointerruptions。”This，”hesaid，againlayinghishanduponmyarm，andglancingoverhisshoulderwithholloweyes，”wasjustayearago。Sixorsevenmonthspassed，andIhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseandshock，whenonemorning，asthedaywasbreaking，I，standingatthedoor，lookedtowardstheredlight，andsawthespectreagain。”
Hestopped，withafixedlookatme。”Diditcryout？””No。Itwassilent。””Diditwaveitsarm？””No。Itleanedagainsttheshaftofthelight，withbothhandsbeforetheface。Likethis。”
OncemoreIfollowedhisactionwithmyeyes。Itwasanactionofmourning。Ihaveseensuchanattitudeinstonefiguresontombs。”Didyougouptoit？””Icameinandsatdown，partlytocollectmythoughts，partlybecauseithadturnedmefaint。WhenIwenttothedooragain，daylightwasaboveme，andtheghostwasgone。””Butnothingfollowed？Nothingcameofthis？”
Hetouchedmeonthearmwithhisforefingertwiceorthricegivingaghastlynodeachtime:-”Thatveryday，asatraincameoutofthetunnel，Inoticed，atacarriagewindowonmyside，whatlookedlikeaconfusionofhandsandheads，andsomethingwaved。Isawitjustintimetosignalthedriver，Stop！Heshutoff，andputhisbrakeon，butthetraindriftedpasthereahundredandfiftyyardsormore。Iranafterit，and，asIwentalong，heardterriblescreamsandcries。A
beautifulyoungladyhaddiedinstantaneouslyinoneofthecompartments，andwasbroughtinhere，andlaiddownonthisfloorbetweenus。”
InvoluntarilyIpushedmychairback，asIlookedfromtheboardsatwhichhepointedtohimself。”True，sir。True。Preciselyasithappened，soItellityou。”
Icouldthinkofnothingtosay，toanypurpose，andmymouthwasverydry。Thewindandthewirestookupthestorywithalonglamentingwail。
Heresumed。”Now，sir，markthis，andjudgehowmymindistroubled。Thespectrecamebackaweekago。Eversince，ithasbeenthere，nowandagain，byfitsandstarts。””Atthelight？””AttheDanger-light。””Whatdoesitseemtodo？”
Herepeated，ifpossiblewithincreasedpassionandvehemence，thatformergesticulationof，”ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！”
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。
