But，forGod’ssake，takecare！’Theywoulddisplaceme。Whatelsecouldtheydo？”
Hispainofmindwasmostpitiabletosee。Itwasthementaltortureofaconscientiousman，oppressedbeyondendurancebyanunintelligibleresponsibilityinvolvinglife。”WhenitfirststoodundertheDanger-light，”hewenton，puttinghisdarkhairbackfromhishead，anddrawinghishandsoutwardacrossandacrosshistemplesinanextremityoffeverishdistress，”whynottellmewherethataccidentwastohappen，——ifitmusthappen？Whynottellmehowitcouldbeaverted，——ifitcouldhavebeenaverted？Whenonitssecondcomingithiditsface，whynottellme，instead，’Sheisgoingtodie。Letthemkeepherathome’？Ifitcame，onthosetwooccasions，onlytoshowmethatitswarningsweretrue，andsotopreparemeforthethird，whynotwarnmeplainlynow？AndI，Lordhelpme！Amerepoorsignal-manonthissolitarystation！Whynotgotosomebodywithcredittobebelieved，andpowertoact？”
WhenIsawhiminthisstate，Isawthatforthepoorman’ssake，aswellasforthepublicsafety，whatIhadtodoforthetimewastocomposehismind。Therefore，settingasideallquestionofrealityorunrealitybetweenus，Irepresentedtohimthatwhoeverthoroughlydischargedhisdutymustdowell，andthatatleastitwashiscomfortthatheunderstoodhisduty，thoughhedidnotunderstandtheseconfoundingAppearances。InthiseffortI
succeededfarbetterthanintheattempttoreasonhimoutofhisconviction。Hebecamecalm；theoccupationsincidentaltohispostasthenightadvancedbegantomakelargerdemandsonhisattention:andIlefthimattwointhemorning。Ihadofferedtostaythroughthenight，buthewouldnothearofit。
ThatImorethanoncelookedbackattheredlightasIascendedthepathway，thatIdidnotliketheredlight，andthatIshouldhavesleptbutpoorlyifmybedhadbeenunderit，Iseenoreasontoconceal。NordidIlikethetwosequencesoftheaccidentandthedeadgirl。Iseenoreasontoconcealthateither。
ButwhatranmostinmythoughtswastheconsiderationhowoughtI
toact，havingbecometherecipientofthisdisclosure？Ihadprovedthemantobeintelligent，vigilant，painstaking，andexact；
buthowlongmightheremainso，inhisstateofmind？Thoughinasubordinateposition，stillheheldamostimportanttrust，andwouldI(forinstance)liketostakemyownlifeonthechancesofhiscontinuingtoexecuteitwithprecision？
UnabletoovercomeafeelingthattherewouldbesomethingtreacherousinmycommunicatingwhathehadtoldmetohissuperiorsintheCompany，withoutfirstbeingplainwithhimselfandproposingamiddlecoursetohim，Iultimatelyresolvedtooffertoaccompanyhim(otherwisekeepinghissecretforthepresent)tothewisestmedicalpractitionerwecouldhearofinthoseparts，andtotakehisopinion。Achangeinhistimeofdutywouldcomeroundnextnight，hehadapprisedme，andhewouldbeoffanhourortwoaftersunrise，andonagainsoonaftersunset。
Ihadappointedtoreturnaccordingly。
Nexteveningwasalovelyevening，andIwalkedoutearlytoenjoyit。ThesunwasnotyetquitedownwhenItraversedthefield-pathnearthetopofthedeepcutting。Iwouldextendmywalkforanhour，Isaidtomyself，halfanhouronandhalfanhourback，anditwouldthenbetimetogotomysignal-man’sbox。
Beforepursuingmystroll，Isteppedtothebrink，andmechanicallylookeddown，fromthepointfromwhichIhadfirstseenhim。I
cannotdescribethethrillthatseizeduponme，when，closeatthemouthofthetunnel，Isawtheappearanceofaman，withhisleftsleeveacrosshiseyes，passionatelywavinghisrightarm。
Thenamelesshorrorthatoppressedmepassedinamoment，forinamomentIsawthatthisappearanceofamanwasamanindeed，andthattherewasalittlegroupofothermen，standingatashortdistance，towhomheseemedtoberehearsingthegesturehemade。
TheDanger-lightwasnotyetlighted。Againstitsshaft，alittlelowhut，entirelynewtome，hadbeenmadeofsomewoodensupportsandtarpaulin。Itlookednobiggerthanabed。
Withanirresistiblesensethatsomethingwaswrong，——withaflashingself-reproachfulfearthatfatalmischiefhadcomeofmyleavingthemanthere，andcausingnoonetobesenttooverlookorcorrectwhathedid，——IdescendedthenotchedpathwithallthespeedIcouldmake。”Whatisthematter？”Iaskedthemen。”Signal-mankilledthismorning，sir。””Notthemanbelongingtothatbox？””Yes，sir。””NotthemanIknow？””Youwillrecognisehim，sir，ifyouknewhim，”saidthemanwhospokefortheothers，solemnlyuncoveringhisownhead，andraisinganendofthetarpaulin，”forhisfaceisquitecomposed。””Oh，howdidthishappen，howdidthishappen？”Iasked，turningfromonetoanotherasthehutclosedinagain。”Hewascutdownbyanengine，sir。NomaninEnglandknewhisworkbetter。Butsomehowhewasnotclearoftheouterrail。Itwasjustatbroadday。Hehadstruckthelight，andhadthelampinhishand。Astheenginecameoutofthetunnel，hisbackwastowardsher，andshecuthimdown。Thatmandroveher，andwasshowinghowithappened。Showthegentleman，Tom。”
Theman，whoworearoughdarkdress，steppedbacktohisformerplaceatthemouthofthetunnel。”Comingroundthecurveinthetunnel，sir，”hesaid，”Isawhimattheend，likeasifIsawhimdownaperspective-glass。Therewasnotimetocheckspeed，andIknewhimtobeverycareful。Ashedidn’tseemtotakeheedofthewhistle，Ishutitoffwhenwewererunningdownuponhim，andcalledtohimasloudasIcouldcall。””Whatdidyousay？””Isaid，’Belowthere！Lookout！Lookout！ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！’”
Istarted。”Ah！itwasadreadfultime，sir。Ineverleftoffcallingtohim。
Iputthisarmbeforemyeyesnottosee，andIwavedthisarmtothelast；butitwasnouse。”
Withoutprolongingthenarrativetodwellonanyoneofitscuriouscircumstancesmorethanonanyother，Imay，inclosingit，pointoutthecoincidencethatthewarningoftheEngine-Driverincluded，notonlythewordswhichtheunfortunateSignal-manhadrepeatedtomeashauntinghim，butalsothewordswhichImyself——nothe——hadattached，andthatonlyinmyownmind，tothegesticulationhehadimitated。
BulwerLyttonTheHauntedandtheHaunters；
Or，TheHouseandtheBrainAfriendofmine，whoisamanoflettersandaphilosopher，saidtomeoneday，asifbetweenjestandearnest，”Fancy！sincewelastmetIhavediscoveredahauntedhouseinthemidstofLondon。””Reallyhaunted，——andbywhat？——ghosts？””Well，Ican’tanswerthatquestion；allIknowisthis:sixweeksagomywifeandIwereinsearchofafurnishedapartment。Passingaquietstreet，wesawonthewindowofoneofthehousesabill，’Apartments，Furnished。’Thesituationsuitedus；weenteredthehouse，likedtherooms，engagedthembytheweek，——andleftthemthethirdday。Nopoweronearthcouldhavereconciledmywifetostaylonger；andIdon’twonderatit。””Whatdidyousee？””Excuseme；Ihavenodesiretoberidiculedasasuperstitiousdreamer，——nor，ontheotherhand，couldIaskyoutoacceptonmyaffirmationwhatyouwouldholdtobeincrediblewithouttheevidenceofyourownsenses。Letmeonlysaythis，itwasnotsomuchwhatwesaworheard(inwhichyoumightfairlysupposethatwewerethedupesofourownexcitedfancy，orthevictimsofimpostureinothers)thatdroveusaway，asitwasanindefinableterrorwhichseizedbothofuswheneverwepassedbythedoorofacertainunfurnishedroom，inwhichweneithersawnorheardanything。Andthestrangestmarvelofallwas，thatforonceinmylifeIagreedwithmywife，sillywomanthoughshebe，——andallowed，afterthethirdnight，thatitwasimpossibletostayafourthinthathouse。Accordingly，onthefourthmorningI
summonedthewomanwhokeptthehouseandattendedonus，andtoldherthattheroomsdidnotquitesuitus，andwewouldnotstayoutourweek。Shesaiddryly，’Iknowwhy；youhavestayedlongerthananyotherlodger。Feweverstayedasecondnight；nonebeforeyouathird。ButItakeittheyhavebeenverykindtoyou。’”’They，——who？’Iasked，affectingtosmile。”’Why，theywhohauntthehouse，whoevertheyare。Idon’tmindthem。Irememberthemmanyyearsago，whenIlivedinthishouse，notasaservant；butIknowtheywillbethedeathofmesomeday。
Idon’tcare，——I’mold，andmustdiesoonanyhow；andthenIshallbewiththem，andinthishousestill。’Thewomanspokewithsodrearyacalmnessthatreallyitwasasortofawethatpreventedmyconversingwithherfurther。Ipaidformyweek，andtoohappyweremywifeandItogetoffsocheaply。””Youexcitemycuriosity，”saidI；”nothingIshouldlikebetterthantosleepinahauntedhouse。Praygivemetheaddressoftheonewhichyouleftsoignominiously。”
Myfriendgavemetheaddress；andwhenweparted，Iwalkedstraighttowardthehousethusindicated。
ItissituatedonthenorthsideofOxfordStreet，inadullbutrespectablethoroughfare。Ifoundthehouseshutup，——nobillatthewindow，andnoresponsetomyknock。AsIwasturningaway，abeer-boy，collectingpewterpotsattheneighboringareas，saidtome，”Doyouwantanyoneatthathouse，sir？””Yes，Ihearditwastobelet。””Let！——why，thewomanwhokeptitisdead，——hasbeendeadthesethreeweeks，andnoonecanbefoundtostaythere，thoughMr。J——
offeredeversomuch。Heofferedmother，whocharsforhim，onepoundaweekjusttoopenandshutthewindows，andshewouldnot。””Wouldnot！——andwhy？””Thehouseishaunted；andtheoldwomanwhokeptitwasfounddeadinherbed，withhereyeswideopen。Theysaythedevilstrangledher。””Pooh！YouspeakofMr。J。Ishetheownerofthehouse？””Yes。””Wheredoeshelive？””InG——Street，No。””Whatishe？Inanybusiness？””No，sir，——nothingparticular；asinglegentleman。”
Igavethepotboythegratuityearnedbyhisliberalinformation，andproceededtoMr。J——，inG——Street，whichwasclosebythestreetthatboastedthehauntedhouse。IwasluckyenoughtofindMr。J——athome，——anelderlymanwithintelligentcountenanceandprepossessingmanners。
Icommunicatedmynameandmybusinessfrankly。IsaidIheardthehousewasconsideredtobehaunted，thatIhadastrongdesiretoexamineahousewithsoequivocalareputation；thatIshouldbegreatlyobligedifhewouldallowmetohireit，thoughonlyforanight。Iwaswillingtopayforthatprivilegewhateverhemightbeinclinedtoask。”Sir，”saidMr。J——，withgreatcourtesy，”thehouseisatyourservice，forasshortoraslongatimeasyouplease。Rentisoutofthequestion，——theobligationwillbeonmysideshouldyoubeabletodiscoverthecauseofthestrangephenomenawhichatpresentdepriveitofallvalue。Icannotletit，forIcannotevengetaservanttokeepitinorderoranswerthedoor。Unluckilythehouseishaunted，ifImayusethatexpression，notonlybynight，butbyday；thoughatnightthedisturbancesareofamoreunpleasantandsometimesofamorealarmingcharacter。ThepooroldwomanwhodiedinitthreeweeksagowasapauperwhomItookoutofaworkhouse；forinherchildhoodshehadbeenknowntosomeofmyfamily，andhadoncebeeninsuchgoodcircumstancesthatshehadrentedthathouseofmyuncle。Shewasawomanofsuperioreducationandstrongmind，andwastheonlypersonIcouldeverinducetoremaininthehouse。
Indeed，sinceherdeath，whichwassudden，andthecoroner’sinquest，whichgaveitanotorietyintheneighborhood，Ihavesodespairedoffindinganypersontotakechargeofthehouse，muchmoreatenant，thatIwouldwillinglyletitrentfreeforayeartoanyonewhowouldpayitsratesandtaxes。””Howlongisitsincethehouseacquiredthissinistercharacter？””ThatIcanscarcelytellyou，butverymanyyearssince。TheoldwomanIspokeof，saiditwashauntedwhensherenteditbetweenthirtyandfortyyearsago。Thefactis，thatmylifehasbeenspentintheEastIndies，andinthecivilserviceoftheCompany。
IreturnedtoEnglandlastyear，oninheritingthefortuneofanuncle，amongwhosepossessionswasthehouseinquestion。Ifounditshutupanduninhabited。Iwastoldthatitwashaunted，thatnoonewouldinhabitit。Ismiledatwhatseemedtomesoidleastory。Ispentsomemoneyinrepairingit，addedtoitsold-
fashionedfurnitureafewmodernarticles，——advertisedit，andobtainedalodgerforayear。Hewasacolonelonhalfpay。Hecameinwithhisfamily，asonandadaughter，andfourorfiveservants:theyallleftthehousethenextday；and，althougheachofthemdeclaredthathehadseensomethingdifferentfromthatwhichhadscaredtheothers，asomethingstillwasequallyterribletoall。Ireallycouldnotinconsciencesue，norevenblame，thecolonelforbreachofagreement。ThenIputintheoldwomanI
havespokenof，andshewasempoweredtoletthehouseinapartments。Ineverhadonelodgerwhostayedmorethanthreedays。Idonottellyoutheirstories，——tonotwolodgershavetherebeenexactlythesamephenomenarepeated。Itisbetterthatyoushouldjudgeforyourself，thanenterthehousewithanimaginationinfluencedbypreviousnarratives；onlybepreparedtoseeandtohearsomethingorother，andtakewhateverprecautionsyouyourselfplease。””Haveyouneverhadacuriosityyourselftopassanightinthathouse？””Yes。Ipassednotanight，butthreehoursinbroaddaylightaloneinthathouse。Mycuriosityisnotsatisfied，butitisquenched。Ihavenodesiretorenewtheexperiment。Youcannotcomplain，yousee，sir，thatIamnotsufficientlycandid；andunlessyourinterestbeexceedinglyeagerandyournervesunusuallystrong，Ihonestlyadd，thatIadviseyouNOTtopassanightinthathouse。”MyinterestISexceedinglykeen，”saidI；”andthoughonlyacowardwillboastofhisnervesinsituationswhollyunfamiliartohim，yetmynerveshavebeenseasonedinsuchvarietyofdangerthatIhavetherighttorelyonthem，——eveninahauntedhouse。”
Mr。J——saidverylittlemore；hetookthekeysofthehouseoutofhisbureau，gavethemtome，——and，thankinghimcordiallyforhisfrankness，andhisurbaneconcessiontomywish，Icarriedoffmyprize。
Impatientfortheexperiment，assoonasIreachedhome，Isummonedmyconfidentialservant，——ayoungmanofgayspirits，fearlesstemper，andasfreefromsuperstitiousprejudiceasanyoneIcouldthinkof。
F——，”saidI，”yourememberinGermanyhowdisappointedwewereatnotfindingaghostinthatoldcastle，whichwassaidtobehauntedbyaheadlessapparition？Well，IhaveheardofahouseinLondonwhich，Ihavereasontohope，isdecidedlyhaunted。Imeantosleepthereto-night。FromwhatIhear，thereisnodoubtthatsomethingwillallowitselftobeseenortobeheard，——something，perhaps，excessivelyhorrible。DoyouthinkifItakeyouwithme，Imayrelyonyourpresenceofmind，whatevermayhappen？””Oh，sir，praytrustme，”answeredF——，grinningwithdelight。”Verywell；thenherearethekeysofthehouse，——thisistheaddress。Gonow，——selectformeanybedroomyouplease；andsincethehousehasnotbeeninhabitedforweeks，makeupagoodfire，airthebedwell，——see，ofcourse，thattherearecandlesaswellasfuel。Takewithyoumyrevolverandmydagger，——somuchformyweapons；armyourselfequallywell；andifwearenotamatchforadozenghosts，weshallbebutasorrycoupleofEnglishmen。
IwasengagedfortherestofthedayonbusinesssourgentthatI
hadnotleisuretothinkmuchonthenocturnaladventuretowhichI
hadplightedmyhonor。Idinedalone，andverylate，andwhiledining，read，asismyhabit。IselectedoneofthevolumesofMacaulay’sEssays。IthoughttomyselfthatIwouldtakethebookwithme；therewassomuchofhealthfulnessinthestyle，andpracticallifeinthesubjects，thatitwouldserveasanantidoteagainsttheinfluencesofsuperstitiousfancy。
Accordingly，abouthalf-pastnine，Iputthebookintomypocket，andstrolledleisurelytowardthehauntedhouse。Itookwithmeafavoritedog:anexceedinglysharp，bold，andvigilantbullterrier，——adogfondofprowlingaboutstrange，ghostlycornersandpassagesatnightinsearchofrats；adogofdogsforaghost。
Ireachedthehouse，knocked，andmyservantopenedwithacheerfulsmile。
Wedidnotstaylonginthedrawing-rooms，——infact，theyfeltsodampandsochillythatIwasgladtogettothefireupstairs。Welockedthedoorsofthedrawing-rooms，——aprecautionwhich，I
shouldobserve，wehadtakenwithalltheroomswehadsearchedbelow。Thebedroommyservanthadselectedformewasthebestonthefloor，——alargeone，withtwowindowsfrontingthestreet。Thefour-postedbed，whichtookupnoinconsiderablespace，wasoppositetothefire，whichburnedclearandbright；adoorinthewalltotheleft，betweenthebedandthewindow，communicatedwiththeroomwhichmyservantappropriatedtohimself。Thislastwasasmallroomwithasofabed，andhadnocommunicationwiththelandingplace，——nootherdoorbutthatwhichconductedtothebedroomIwastooccupy。Oneithersideofmyfireplacewasacupboardwithoutlocks，flushwiththewall，andcoveredwiththesamedull-brownpaper。Weexaminedthesecupboards，——onlyhookstosuspendfemaledresses，nothingelse；wesoundedthewalls，——
evidentlysolid，theouterwallsofthebuilding。Havingfinishedthesurveyoftheseapartments，warmedmyselfafewmoments，andlightedmycigar，Ithen，stillaccompaniedbyF——，wentforthtocompletemyreconnoiter。Inthelandingplacetherewasanotherdoor；itwasclosedfirmly。”Sir，”saidmyservant，insurprise，”IunlockedthisdoorwithalltheotherswhenIfirstcame；itcannothavegotlockedfromtheinside，for——”
Beforehehadfinishedhissentence，thedoor，whichneitherofusthenwastouching，openedquietlyofitself。Welookedateachotherasingleinstant。Thesamethoughtseizedboth，——somehumanagencymightbedetectedhere。Irushedinfirst，myservantfollowed。Asmall，blank，drearyroomwithoutfurniture；afewemptyboxesandhampersinacorner；asmallwindow；theshuttersclosed；notevenafireplace；nootherdoorbutthatbywhichwehadentered；nocarpetonthefloor，andthefloorseemedveryold，uneven，worm-eaten，mendedhereandthere，aswasshownbythewhiterpatchesonthewood；butnolivingbeing，andnovisibleplaceinwhichalivingbeingcouldhavehidden。Aswestoodgazinground，thedoorbywhichwehadenteredclosedasquietlyasithadbeforeopened；wewereimprisoned。
ForthefirsttimeIfeltacreepofindefinablehorror。Notsomyservant。”Why，theydon’tthinktotrapus，sir；Icouldbreakthattrumperydoorwithakickofmyfoot。””Tryfirstifitwillopentoyourhand，”saidI，shakingoffthevagueapprehensionthathadseizedme，”whileIunclosetheshuttersandseewhatiswithout。”
Iunbarredtheshutters，——thewindowlookedonthelittlebackyardIhavebeforedescribed；therewasnoledgewithout，——nothingtobreakthesheerdescentofthewall。Nomangettingoutofthatwindowwouldhavefoundanyfootingtillhehadfallenonthestonesbelow。
F——，meanwhile，wasvainlyattemptingtoopenthedoor。Henowturnedroundtomeandaskedmypermissiontouseforce。AndI
shouldherestate，injusticetotheservant，that，farfromevincinganysuperstitiousterrors，hisnerve，composure，andevengayetyamidstcircumstancessoextraordinary，compelledmyadmiration，andmademecongratulatemyselfonhavingsecuredacompanionineverywayfittedtotheoccasion。Iwillinglygavehimthepermissionherequired。Butthoughhewasaremarkablystrongman，hisforcewasasidleashismilderefforts；thedoordidnotevenshaketohisstoutestkick。Breathlessandpanting，hedesisted。Ithentriedthedoormyself，equallyinvain。AsI
ceasedfromtheeffort，againthatcreepofhorrorcameoverme；
butthistimeitwasmorecoldandstubborn。Ifeltasifsomestrangeandghastlyexhalationwererisingupfromthechinksofthatruggedfloor，andfillingtheatmospherewithavenomousinfluencehostiletohumanlife。Thedoornowveryslowlyandquietlyopenedasofitsownaccord。Weprecipitatedourselvesintothelandingplace。Webothsawalarge，palelight——aslargeasthehumanfigure，butshapelessandunsubstantial——movebeforeus，andascendthestairsthatledfromthelandingintotheattics。Ifollowedthelight，andmyservantfollowedme。Itentered，totherightofthelanding，asmallgarret，ofwhichthedoorstoodopen。Ienteredinthesameinstant。Thelightthencollapsedintoasmallglobule，exceedinglybrilliantandvivid，restedamomentonabedinthecorner，quivered，andvanished。Weapproachedthebedandexaminedit，——ahalf-tester，suchasiscommonlyfoundinatticsdevotedtoservants。Onthedrawersthatstoodnearitweperceivedanoldfadedsilkkerchief，withtheneedlestillleftinarenthalfrepaired。Thekerchiefwascoveredwithdust；probablyithadbelongedtotheoldwomanwhohadlastdiedinthathouse，andthismighthavebeenhersleepingroom。Ihadsufficientcuriositytoopenthedrawers:therewereafewoddsandendsoffemaledress，andtwoletterstiedroundwithanarrowribbonoffadedyellow。Itookthelibertytopossessmyselfoftheletters。Wefoundnothingelseintheroomworthnoticing，——nordidthelightreappear；butwedistinctlyheard，asweturnedtogo，apatteringfootfallonthefloor，justbeforeus。
Wewentthroughtheotherattics(inallfour)，thefootfallstillprecedingus。Nothingtobeseen，——nothingbutthefootfallheard。
Ihadthelettersinmyhand；justasIwasdescendingthestairsI
distinctlyfeltmywristseized，andafaint，softeffortmadetodrawthelettersfrommyclasp。Ionlyheldthemthemoretightly，andtheeffortceased。
Weregainedthebedchamberappropriatedtomyself，andIthenremarkedthatmydoghadnotfolloweduswhenwehadleftit。Hewasthrustinghimselfclosetothefire，andtrembling。Iwasimpatienttoexaminetheletters；andwhileIreadthem，myservantopenedalittleboxinwhichhehaddepositedtheweaponsIhadorderedhimtobring，tookthemout，placedthemonatablecloseatmybedhead，andthenoccupiedhimselfinsoothingthedog，who，however，seemedtoheedhimverylittle。
Theletterswereshort，——theyweredated；thedatesexactlythirty-
fiveyearsago。Theywereevidentlyfromalovertohismistress，orahusbandtosomeyoungwife。Notonlythetermsofexpression，butadistinctreferencetoaformervoyage，indicatedthewritertohavebeenaseafarer。Thespellingandhandwritingwerethoseofamanimperfectlyeducated，butstillthelanguageitselfwasforcible。Intheexpressionsofendearmenttherewasakindofrough，wildlove；buthereandthereweredarkunintelligiblehintsatsomesecretnotoflove，——somesecretthatseemedofcrime。”Weoughttoloveeachother，”wasoneofthesentencesIremember，”forhoweveryoneelsewouldexecrateusifallwasknown。”Again:”Don’tletanyonebeinthesameroomwithyouatnight，——youtalkinyoursleep。”Andagain:”What’sdonecan’tbeundone；andI
tellyouthere’snothingagainstusunlessthedeadcouldcometolife。”Heretherewasunderlinedinabetterhandwriting(afemale’s)，”Theydo！”Attheendoftheletterlatestindatethesamefemalehandhadwrittenthesewords:”Lostatseathe4thofJune，thesamedayas——”
Iputdowntheletters，andbegantomuseovertheircontents。
Fearing，however，thatthetrainofthoughtintowhichIfellmightunsteadymynerves，Ifullydeterminedtokeepmymindinafitstatetocopewithwhateverofmarveloustheadvancingnightmightbringforth。Irousedmyself；laidthelettersonthetable；
stirredupthefire，whichwasstillbrightandcheering；andopenedmyvolumeofMacaulay。Ireadquietlyenoughtillabouthalfpasteleven。Ithenthrewmyselfdresseduponthebed，andtoldmyservanthemightretiretohisownroom，butmustkeephimselfawake。Ibadehimleaveopenthedoorbetweenthetworooms。Thusalone，Ikepttwocandlesburningonthetablebymybedhead。Iplacedmywatchbesidetheweapons，andcalmlyresumedmyMacaulay。Oppositetomethefireburnedclear；andonthehearthrug，seeminglyasleep，laythedog。InabouttwentyminutesIfeltanexceedinglycoldairpassbymycheek，likeasuddendraught。Ifanciedthedoortomyright，communicatingwiththelandingplace，musthavegotopen；butno，——itwasclosed。Ithenturnedmyglancetomyleft，andsawtheflameofthecandlesviolentlyswayedasbyawind。Atthesamemomentthewatchbesidetherevolversoftlyslidfromthetable，——softly，softly；novisiblehand，——itwasgone。Isprangup，seizingtherevolverwiththeonehand，thedaggerwiththeother；Iwasnotwillingthatmyweaponsshouldsharethefateofthewatch。Thusarmed，Ilookedroundthefloor，——nosignofthewatch。Threeslow，loud，distinctknockswerenowheardatthebedhead；myservantcalledout，”Isthatyou，sir？””No；beonyourguard。”
Thedognowrousedhimselfandsatonhishaunches，hisearsmovingquicklybackwardandforward。Hekepthiseyesfixedonmewithalooksostrangethatheconcenteredallmyattentiononhimself。
Slowlyheroseup，allhishairbristling，andstoodperfectlyrigid，andwiththesamewildstare。Ihadnotime，however，toexaminethedog。Presentlymyservantemergedfromhisroom；andifeverIsawhorrorinthehumanface，itwasthen。Ishouldnothaverecognizedhimhadwemetinthestreet，soalteredwaseverylineament。Hepassedbymequickly，saying，inawhisperthatseemedscarcelytocomefromhislips，”Run，run！itisafterme！”
Hegainedthedoortothelanding，pulleditopen，andrushedforth。Ifollowedhimintothelandinginvoluntarily，callinghimtostop；but，withoutheedingme，heboundeddownthestairs，clingingtothebalusters，andtakingseveralstepsatatime。I
heard，whereIstood，thestreetdooropen，——hearditagainclapto。Iwasleftaloneinthehauntedhouse。
ItwasbutforamomentthatIremainedundecidedwhetherornottofollowmyservant；prideandcuriosityalikeforbadesodastardlyaflight。Ire-enteredmyroom，closingthedoorafterme，andproceededcautiouslyintotheinteriorchamber。Iencounterednothingtojustifymyservant’sterror。Iagaincarefullyexaminedthewalls，toseeiftherewereanyconcealeddoor。Icouldfindnotraceofone，——notevenaseaminthedull-brownpaperwithwhichtheroomwashung。How，then，hadtheTHING，whateveritwas，whichhadsoscaredhim，obtainedingressexceptthoughmyownchamber？
Ireturnedtomyroom，shutandlockedthedoorthatopenedupontheinteriorone，andstoodonthehearth，expectantandprepared。
Inowperceivedthatthedoghadslunkintoanangleofthewall，andwaspressinghimselfcloseagainstit，asifliterallystrivingtoforcehiswayintoit。Iapproachedtheanimalandspoketoit；
thepoorbrutewasevidentlybesideitselfwithterror。Itshowedallitsteeth，theslaverdroppingfromitsjaws，andwouldcertainlyhavebittenmeifIhadtouchedit。Itdidnotseemtorecognizeme。WhoeverhasseenattheZoologicalGardensarabbit，fascinatedbyaserpent，coweringinacorner，mayformsomeideaoftheanguishwhichthedogexhibited。Findingalleffortstosoothetheanimalinvain，andfearingthathisbitemightbeasvenomousinthatstateasinthemadnessofhydrophobia，Ilefthimalone，placedmyweaponsonthetablebesidethefire，seatedmyself，andrecommencedmyMacaulay。
Perhaps，inordernottoappearseekingcreditforacourage，orratheracoolness，whichthereadermayconceiveIexaggerate，I
maybepardonedifIpausetoindulgeinoneortwoegotisticalremarks。
AsIholdpresenceofmind，orwhatiscalledcourage，tobepreciselyproportionedtofamiliaritywiththecircumstancesthatleadtoit，soIshouldsaythatIhadbeenlongsufficientlyfamiliarwithallexperimentsthatappertaintothemarvelous。I
hadwitnessedmanyveryextraordinaryphenomenainvariouspartsoftheworld，——phenomenathatwouldbeeithertotallydisbelievedifI
statedthem，orascribedtosupernaturalagencies。Now，mytheoryisthatthesupernaturalistheimpossible，andthatwhatiscalledsupernaturalisonlyasomethinginthelawsofNatureofwhichwehavebeenhithertoignorant。Therefore，ifaghostrisebeforeme，Ihavenottherighttosay，”So，then，thesupernaturalispossible；”butrather，”So，then，theapparitionofaghostis，contrarytoreceivedopinion，withinthelawsofNature，——thatis，notsupernatural。”
Now，inallthatIhadhithertowitnessed，andindeedinallthewonderswhichtheamateursofmysteryinouragerecordasfacts，amateriallivingagencyisalwaysrequired。OntheContinentyouwillfindstillmagicianswhoassertthattheycanraisespirits。
Assumeforthemomentthattheyasserttruly，stillthelivingmaterialformofthemagicianispresent；andheisthematerialagencybywhich，fromsomeconstitutionalpeculiarities，certainstrangephenomenaarerepresentedtoyournaturalsenses。
Accept，again，astruthful，thetalesofspiritmanifestationinAmerica，——musicalorothersounds；writingsonpaper，producedbynodiscerniblehand；articlesoffurnituremovedwithoutapparenthumanagency；ortheactualsightandtouchofhands，towhichnobodiesseemtobelong，——stilltheremustbefoundtheMEDIUM，orlivingbeing，withconstitutionalpeculiaritiescapableofobtainingthesesigns。Infine，inallsuchmarvels，supposingeventhatthereisnoimposture，theremustbeahumanbeinglikeourselvesbywhom，orthroughwhom，theeffectspresentedtohumanbeingsareproduced。Itissowiththenowfamiliarphenomenaofmesmerismorelectro-biology；themindofthepersonoperatedonisaffectedthroughamateriallivingagent。Nor，supposingittruethatamesmerizedpatientcanrespondtothewillorpassesofamesmerizerahundredmilesdistant，istheresponselessoccasionedbyamaterialbeing；itmaybethroughamaterialfluid——callitElectric，callitOdic，callitwhatyouwill——whichhasthepoweroftraversingspaceandpassingobstacles，thatthematerialeffectiscommunicatedfromonetotheother。Hence，allthatIhadhithertowitnessed，orexpectedtowitness，inthisstrangehouse，Ibelievedtobeoccasionedthroughsomeagencyormediumasmortalasmyself；andthisideanecessarilypreventedtheawewithwhichthosewhoregardassupernaturalthingsthatarenotwithintheordinaryoperationsofNature，mighthavebeenimpressedbytheadventuresofthatmemorablenight。
As，then，itwasmyconjecturethatallthatwaspresented，orwouldbepresentedtomysenses，mustoriginateinsomehumanbeinggiftedbyconstitutionwiththepowersotopresentthem，andhavingsomemotivesotodo，Ifeltaninterestinmytheorywhich，initsway，wasratherphilosophicalthansuperstitious。AndIcansincerelysaythatIwasinastranquilatemperforobservationasanypracticalexperimentalistcouldbeinawaitingtheeffectsofsomerare，thoughperhapsperilous，chemicalcombination。Ofcourse，themoreIkeptmyminddetachedfromfancy，themorethetemperfittedforobservationwouldbeobtained；andIthereforerivetedeyeandthoughtonthestrongdaylightsenseinthepageofmyMacaulay。
Inowbecameawarethatsomethinginterposedbetweenthepageandthelight，——thepagewasovershadowed。Ilookedup，andIsawwhatIshallfinditverydifficult，perhapsimpossible，todescribe。
ItwasaDarknessshapingitselfforthfromtheairinveryundefinedoutline。Icannotsayitwasofahumanform，andyetithadmoreresemblancetoahumanform，orrathershadow，thantoanythingelse。Asitstood，whollyapartanddistinctfromtheairandthelightaroundit，itsdimensionsseemedgigantic，thesummitnearlytouchingtheceiling。WhileIgazed，afeelingofintensecoldseizedme。Anicebergbeforemecouldnotmorehavechilledme；norcouldthecoldofaniceberghavebeenmorepurelyphysical。Ifeelconvincedthatitwasnotthecoldcausedbyfear。AsIcontinuedtogaze，Ithought——butthisIcannotsaywithprecision——thatIdistinguishedtwoeyeslookingdownonmefromtheheight。OnemomentIfanciedthatIdistinguishedthemclearly，thenexttheyseemedgone；butstilltworaysofapale-
bluelightfrequentlyshotthroughthedarkness，asfromtheheightonwhichIhalfbelieved，halfdoubted，thatIhadencounteredtheeyes。
Istrovetospeak，——myvoiceutterlyfailedme；Icouldonlythinktomyself，”Isthisfear？ItisNOTfear！”Istrovetorise，——invain；Ifeltasifweigheddownbyanirresistibleforce。Indeed，myimpressionwasthatofanimmenseandoverwhelmingPoweropposedtomyvolition，——thatsenseofutterinadequacytocopewithaforcebeyondman’s，whichonemayfeelPHYSICALLYinastormatsea，inaconflagration，orwhenconfrontingsometerriblewildbeast，orrather，perhaps，thesharkoftheocean，IfeltMORALLY。
Opposedtomywillwasanotherwill，asfarsuperiortoitsstrengthasstorm，fire，andsharkaresuperiorinmaterialforcetotheforceofman。
Andnow，asthisimpressiongrewonme，——nowcame，atlast，horror，horrortoadegreethatnowordscanconvey。StillIretainedpride，ifnotcourage；andinmyownmindIsaid，”Thisishorror；
butitisnotfear；unlessIfearIcannotbeharmed；myreasonrejectsthisthing；itisanillusion，——Idonotfear。”WithaviolenteffortIsucceededatlastinstretchingoutmyhandtowardtheweapononthetable；asIdidso，onthearmandshoulderI
receivedastrangeshock，andmyarmfelltomysidepowerless。
Andnow，toaddtomyhorror，thelightbeganslowlytowanefromthecandles，——theywerenot，asitwere，extinguished，buttheirflameseemedverygraduallywithdrawn；itwasthesamewiththefire，——thelightwasextractedfromthefuel；inafewminutestheroomwasinutterdarkness。Thedreadthatcameoverme，tobethusinthedarkwiththatdarkThing，whosepowerwassointenselyfelt，broughtareactionofnerve。Infact，terrorhadreachedthatclimax，thateithermysensesmusthavedesertedme，orImusthaveburstthroughthespell。Ididburstthroughit。Ifoundvoice，thoughthevoicewasashriek。IrememberthatIbrokeforthwithwordslikethese，”Idonotfear，mysouldoesnotfear”；andatthesametimeIfoundstrengthtorise。StillinthatprofoundgloomIrushedtooneofthewindows；toreasidethecurtain；flungopentheshutters；myfirstthoughtwas——LIGHT。AndwhenIsawthemoonhigh，clear，andcalm，Ifeltajoythatalmostcompensatedforthepreviousterror。Therewasthemoon，therewasalsothelightfromthegaslampsinthedesertedslumberousstreet。Iturnedtolookbackintotheroom；themoonpenetrateditsshadowverypalelyandpartially——butstilltherewaslight。
ThedarkThing，whateveritmightbe，wasgone，——exceptthatI
couldyetseeadimshadow，whichseemedtheshadowofthatshade，againsttheoppositewall。
Myeyenowrestedonthetable，andfromunderthetable(whichwaswithoutclothorcover，——anoldmahoganyroundtable)thereroseahand，visibleasfarasthewrist。Itwasahand，seemingly，asmuchoffleshandbloodasmyown，butthehandofanagedperson，lean，wrinkled，smalltoo，——awoman’shand。Thathandverysoftlyclosedonthetwolettersthatlayonthetable；handandlettersbothvanished。Therethencamethesamethreeloud，measuredknocksIhadheardatthebedheadbeforethisextraordinarydramahadcommenced。
Asthosesoundsslowlyceased，Ifeltthewholeroomvibratesensibly；andatthefarendthererose，asfromthefloor，sparksorglobuleslikebubblesoflight，manycolored，——green，yellow，fire-red，azure。Upanddown，toandfro，hither，thitherastinyWill-o’-the-Wisps，thesparksmoved，sloworswift，eachatitsowncaprice。Achair(asinthedrawing-roombelow)wasnowadvancedfromthewallwithoutapparentagency，andplacedattheoppositesideofthetable。Suddenly，asforthfromthechair，theregrewashape，——awoman’sshape。Itwasdistinctasashapeoflife，——
ghastlyasashapeofdeath。Thefacewasthatofyouth，withastrange，mournfulbeauty；thethroatandshoulderswerebare，therestoftheforminalooserobeofcloudywhite。Itbegansleekingitslong，yellowhair，whichfelloveritsshoulders；itseyeswerenotturnedtowardme，buttothedoor；itseemedlistening，watching，waiting。Theshadowoftheshadeinthebackgroundgrewdarker；andagainIthoughtIbeheldtheeyesgleamingoutfromthesummitoftheshadow，——eyesfixeduponthatshape。
Asiffromthedoor，thoughitdidnotopen，theregrewoutanothershape，equallydistinct，equallyghastly，——aman’sshape，ayoungman’s。Itwasinthedressofthelastcentury，orratherinalikenessofsuchdress(forboththemaleshapeandthefemale，thoughdefined，wereevidentlyunsubstantial，impalpable，——
simulacra，phantasms)；andtherewassomethingincongruous，grotesque，yetfearful，inthecontrastbetweentheelaboratefinery，thecourtlyprecisionofthatold-fashionedgarb，withitsrufflesandlaceandbuckles，andthecorpselikeaspectandghostlikestillnessoftheflittingwearer。Justasthemaleshapeapproachedthefemale，thedarkShadowstartedfromthewall，allthreeforamomentwrappedindarkness。Whenthepalelightreturned，thetwophantomswereasifinthegraspoftheShadowthattoweredbetweenthem；andtherewasabloodstainonthebreastofthefemale；andthephantommalewasleaningonitsphantomsword，andbloodseemedtricklingfastfromtherufflesfromthelace；andthedarknessoftheintermediateShadowswallowedthemup，——theyweregone。Andagainthebubblesoflightshot，andsailed，andundulated，growingthickerandthickerandmorewildlyconfusedintheirmovements。
Theclosetdoortotherightofthefireplacenowopened，andfromtheaperturetherecametheformofanagedwoman。Inherhandsheheldletters，——theverylettersoverwhichIhadseenTHEHandclose；andbehindherIheardafootstep。Sheturnedroundasiftolisten，andthensheopenedthelettersandseemedtoread；andoverhershoulderIsawalividface，thefaceasofamanlongdrowned，——bloated，bleached，seaweedtangledinitsdrippinghair；
andatherfeetlayaformasofacorpse；andbesidethecorpsetherecoweredachild，amiserable，squalidchild，withfamineinitscheeksandfearinitseyes。AndasIlookedintheoldwoman’sface，thewrinklesandlinesvanished，anditbecameafaceofyouth，——hard-eyed，stony，butstillyouth；andtheShadowdartedforth，anddarkenedoverthesephantomsasithaddarkenedoverthelast。
NothingnowwasleftbuttheShadow，andonthatmyeyeswereintentlyfixed，tillagaineyesgrewoutoftheShadow，——malignant，serpenteyes。Andthebubblesoflightagainroseandfell，andintheirdisordered，irregular，turbulentmaze，mingledwiththewanmoonlight。Andnowfromtheseglobulesthemselves，asfromtheshellofanegg，monstrousthingsburstout；theairgrewfilledwiththem:larvaesobloodlessandsohideousthatIcaninnowaydescribethemexcepttoremindthereaderoftheswarminglifewhichthesolarmicroscopebringsbeforehiseyesinadropofwater，——thingstransparent，supple，agile，chasingeachother，devouringeachother；formslikenaughteverbeheldbythenakedeye。Astheshapeswerewithoutsymmetry，sotheirmovementswerewithoutorder。Intheirveryvagranciestherewasnosport；theycameroundmeandround，thickerandfasterandswifter，swarmingovermyhead，crawlingovermyrightarm，whichwasoutstretchedininvoluntarycommandagainstallevilbeings。SometimesIfeltmyselftouched，butnotbythem；invisiblehandstouchedme。OnceIfelttheclutchasofcold，softfingersatmythroat。IwasstillequallyconsciousthatifIgavewaytofearIshouldbeinbodilyperil；andIconcenteredallmyfacultiesinthesinglefocusofresistingstubbornwill。AndIturnedmysightfromtheShadow；aboveall，fromthosestrangeserpenteyes，——eyesthathadnowbecomedistinctlyvisible。Forthere，thoughinnaughtelsearoundme，IwasawarethattherewasaWILL，andwillofintense，creative，workingevil，whichmightcrushdownmyown。
Thepaleatmosphereintheroombegannowtoreddenasifintheairofsomenearconflagration。Thelarvaegrewluridasthingsthatliveinfire。Againtheroomvibrated；againwereheardthethreemeasuredknocks；andagainallthingswereswallowedupinthedarknessofthedarkShadow，asifoutofthatdarknessallhadcome，intothatdarknessallreturned。
Asthegloomreceded，theShadowwaswhollygone。Slowly，asithadbeenwithdrawn，theflamegrewagainintothecandlesonthetable，againintothefuelinthegrate。Thewholeroomcameoncemorecalmly，healthfullyintosight。
Thetwodoorswerestillclosed，thedoorcommunicatingwiththeservant’sroomstilllocked。Inthecornerofthewall，intowhichhehadsoconvulsivelynichedhimself，laythedog。Icalledtohim，——nomovement；Iapproached，——theanimalwasdead:hiseyesprotruded；histongueoutofhismouth；thefrothgatheredroundhisjaws。Itookhiminmyarms；Ibroughthimtothefire。I
feltacutegriefforthelossofmypoorfavorite，——acuteself-
reproach；Iaccusedmyselfofhisdeath；Iimaginedhehaddiedoffright。Butwhatwasmysurpriseonfindingthathisneckwasactuallybroken。Hadthisbeendoneinthedark？Mustitnothavebeenbyahandhumanasmine；musttherenothavebeenahumanagencyallthewhileinthatroom？Goodcausetosuspectit。I
cannottell。Icannotdomorethanstatethefactfairly；thereadermaydrawhisowninference。
Anothersurprisingcircumstance，——mywatchwasrestoredtothetablefromwhichithadbeensomysteriouslywithdrawn；butithadstoppedattheverymomentitwassowithdrawn，nor，despitealltheskillofthewatchmaker，hasitevergonesince，——thatis，itwillgoinastrange，erraticwayforafewhours，andthencometoadeadstop；itisworthless。
Nothingmorechancedfortherestofthenight。Nor，indeed，hadI
longtowaitbeforethedawnbroke。NottillitwasbroaddaylightdidIquitthehauntedhouse。BeforeIdidso，Irevisitedthelittleblindroominwhichmyservantandmyselfhadbeenforatimeimprisoned。Ihadastrongimpression——forwhichIcouldnotaccount——thatfromthatroomhadoriginatedthemechanismofthephenomena，ifImayusetheterm，whichhadbeenexperiencedinmychamber。AndthoughIentereditnowintheclearday，withthesunpeeringthroughthefilmywindow，Istillfelt，asIstoodonitsfloors，thecreepofthehorrorwhichIhadfirstthereexperiencedthenightbefore，andwhichhadbeensoaggravatedbywhathadpassedinmyownchamber。Icouldnot，indeed，beartostaymorethanhalfaminutewithinthosewalls。Idescendedthestairs，andagainIheardthefootfallbeforeme；andwhenIopenedthestreetdoor，IthoughtIcoulddistinguishaverylowlaugh。I
gainedmyownhome，expectingtofindmyrunawayservantthere；buthehadnotpresentedhimself，nordidIhearmoreofhimforthreedays，whenIreceivedaletterfromhim，datedfromLiverpooltothiseffect:——”HONOREDSIR，——Ihumblyentreatyourpardon，thoughIcanscarcelyhopethatyouwillthinkthatIdeserveit，unless——whichHeavenforbid！——yousawwhatIdid。IfeelthatitwillbeyearsbeforeI
canrecovermyself；andastobeingfitforservice，itisoutofthequestion。Iamthereforegoingtomybrother-in-lawatMelbourne。Theshipsailsto-morrow。Perhapsthelongvoyagemaysetmeup。Idonothingnowbutstartandtremble，andfancyitisbehindme。Ihumblybegyou，honoredsir，toordermyclothes，andwhateverwagesareduetome，tobesenttomymother’s，atWalworth，——Johnknowsheraddress。”
Theletterendedwithadditionalapologies，somewhatincoherent，andexplanatorydetailsastoeffectsthathadbeenunderthewriter’scharge。
ThisflightmayperhapswarrantasuspicionthatthemanwishedtogotoAustralia，andhadbeensomehoworotherfraudulentlymixedupwiththeeventsofthenight。Isaynothinginrefutationofthatconjecture；rather，Isuggestitasonethatwouldseemtomanypersonsthemostprobablesolutionofimprobableoccurrences。
Mybeliefinmyowntheoryremainedunshaken。Ireturnedintheeveningtothehouse，tobringawayinahackcabthethingsIhadleftthere，withmypoordog’sbody。InthistaskIwasnotdisturbed，nordidanyincidentworthnotebefallme，exceptthatstill，onascendinganddescendingthestairs，Iheardthesamefootfallinadvance。Onleavingthehouse，IwenttoMr。J——’s。
Hewasathome。Ireturnedhimthekeys，toldhimthatmycuriositywassufficientlygratified，andwasabouttorelatequicklywhathadpassed，whenhestoppedme，andsaid，thoughwithmuchpoliteness，thathehadnolongeranyinterestinamysterywhichnonehadeversolved。
IdeterminedatleasttotellhimofthetwolettersIhadread，aswellasoftheextraordinarymannerinwhichtheyhaddisappeared；
andItheninquiredifhethoughttheyhadbeenaddressedtothewomanwhohaddiedinthehouse，andiftherewereanythinginherearlyhistorywhichcouldpossiblyconfirmthedarksuspicionstowhichthelettersgaverise。Mr。J——seemedstartled，and，aftermusingafewmoments，answered，”Iambutlittleacquaintedwiththewoman’searlierhistory，exceptasIbeforetoldyou，thatherfamilywereknowntomine。Butyourevivesomevaguereminiscencestoherprejudice。Iwillmakeinquiries，andinformyouoftheirresult。Still，evenifwecouldadmitthepopularsuperstitionthatapersonwhohadbeeneithertheperpetratororthevictimofdarkcrimesinlifecouldrevisit，asarestlessspirit，thesceneinwhichthosecrimeshadbeencommitted，Ishouldobservethatthehousewasinfestedbystrangesightsandsoundsbeforetheoldwomandied——yousmile——whatwouldyousay？””Iwouldsaythis，thatIamconvinced，ifwecouldgettothebottomofthesemysteries，weshouldfindalivinghumanagency。””What！youbelieveitisallanimposture？Forwhatobject？””Notanimpostureintheordinarysenseoftheword。IfsuddenlyI
weretosinkintoadeepsleep，fromwhichyoucouldnotawakeme，butinthatsleepcouldanswerquestionswithanaccuracywhichI
couldnotpretendtowhenawake，——tellyouwhatmoneyyouhadinyourpocket，nay，describeyourverythoughts，——itisnotnecessarilyanimposture，anymorethanitisnecessarilysupernatural。Ishouldbe，unconsciouslytomyself，underamesmericinfluence，conveyedtomefromadistancebyahumanbeingwhohadacquiredpowerovermebypreviousrapport。””Butifamesmerizercouldsoaffectanotherlivingbeing，canyousupposethatamesmerizercouldalsoaffectinanimateobjects:movechairs，——openandshutdoors？””Orimpressoursenseswiththebeliefinsucheffects，——weneverhavingbeenenrapportwiththepersonactingonus？No。Whatiscommonlycalledmesmerismcouldnotdothis；buttheremaybeapowerakintomesmerism，andsuperiortoit，——thepowerthatintheolddayswascalledMagic。Thatsuchapowermayextendtoallinanimateobjectsofmatter，Idonotsay；butifso，itwouldnotbeagainstNature，——itwouldbeonlyararepowerinNaturewhichmightbegiventoconstitutionswithcertainpeculiarities，andcultivatedbypracticetoanextraordinarydegree。Thatsuchapowermightextendoverthedead，——thatis，overcertainthoughtsandmemoriesthatthedeadmaystillretain，——andcompel，notthatwhichoughtproperlytobecalledtheSOUL，andwhichisfarbeyondhumanreach，butratheraphantomofwhathasbeenmostearth-
stainedonearth，tomakeitselfapparenttooursenses，isaveryancientthoughobsoletetheoryuponwhichIwillhazardnoopinion。
ButIdonotconceivethepowerwouldbesupernatural。LetmeillustratewhatImeanfromanexperimentwhichParacelsusdescribesasnotdifficult，andwhichtheauthorofthe’CuriositiesofLiterature’citesascredible:Aflowerperishes；
youburnit。Whateverweretheelementsofthatflowerwhileitlivedaregone，dispersed，youknownotwhither；youcanneverdiscovernorre-collectthem。Butyoucan，bychemistry，outoftheburneddustofthatflower，raiseaspectrumoftheflower，justasitseemedinlife。Itmaybethesamewiththehumanbeing。Thesoulhasasmuchescapedyouastheessenceorelementsoftheflower。Stillyoumaymakeaspectrumofit。Andthisphantom，thoughinthepopularsuperstitionitisheldtobethesoulofthedeparted，mustnotbeconfoundedwiththetruesoul；itisbuttheeidolonofthedeadform。Hence，likethebest-attestedstoriesofghostsorspirits，thethingthatmoststrikesusistheabsenceofwhatweholdtobesoul，——thatis，ofsuperioremancipatedintelligence。Theseapparitionscomeforlittleornoobject，——theyseldomspeakwhentheydocome；iftheyspeak，theyutternoideasabovethoseofanordinarypersononearth。
Americanspiritseershavepublishedvolumesofcommunications，inproseandverse，whichtheyasserttobegiveninthenamesofthemostillustriousdead:Shakespeare，Bacon，——Heavenknowswhom。
Thosecommunications，takingthebest，arecertainlynotawhitofhigherorderthanwouldbecommunicationsfromlivingpersonsoffairtalentandeducation；theyarewondrouslyinferiortowhatBacon，Shakespeare，andPlatosaidandwrotewhenonearth。Nor，whatismorenoticeable，dotheyevercontainanideathatwasnotontheearthbefore。Wonderful，therefore，assuchphenomenamaybe(grantingthemtobetruthful)，Iseemuchthatphilosophymayquestion，nothingthatitisincumbentonphilosophytodeny，——
namely，nothingsupernatural。Theyarebutideasconveyedsomehoworother(wehavenotyetdiscoveredthemeans)fromonemortalbraintoanother。Whether，insodoing，tableswalkoftheirownaccord，orfiendlikeshapesappearinamagiccircle，orbodilesshandsriseandremovematerialobjects，oraThingofDarkness，suchaspresenteditselftome，freezeourblood，——stillamI
persuadedthatthesearebutagenciesconveyed，asbyelectricwires，tomyownbrainfromthebrainofanother。Insomeconstitutionsthereisanaturalchemistry，andthoseconstitutionsmayproducechemicwonders，——inothersanaturalfluid，callitelectricity，andthesemayproduceelectricwonders。ButthewondersdifferfromNormalScienceinthis，——theyarealikeobjectless，purposeless，puerile，frivolous。Theyleadontonograndresults；andthereforetheworlddoesnotheed，andtruesageshavenotcultivatedthem。ButsureIam，thatofallIsaworheard，aman，humanasmyself，wastheremoteoriginator；andI
believeunconsciouslytohimselfastotheexacteffectsproduced，forthisreason:notwopersons，yousay，haveevertoldyouthattheyexperiencedexactlythesamething。Well，observe，notwopersonseverexperienceexactlythesamedream。Ifthiswereanordinaryimposture，themachinerywouldbearrangedforresultsthatwouldbutlittlevary；ifitwereasupernaturalagencypermittedbytheAlmighty，itwouldsurelybeforsomedefiniteend。Thesephenomenabelongtoneitherclass；mypersuasionis，thattheyoriginateinsomebrainnowfardistant；thatthatbrainhadnodistinctvolitioninanythingthatoccurred；thatwhatdoesoccurreflectsbutitsdevious，motley，ever-shifting，half-formedthoughts；inshort，thatithasbeenbutthedreamsofsuchabrainputintoactionandinvestedwithasemisubstance。Thatthisbrainisofimmensepower，thatitcansetmatterintomovement，thatitismalignantanddestructive，Ibelieve；somematerialforcemusthavekilledmydog；thesameforcemight，foraughtIknow，havesufficedtokillmyself，hadIbeenassubjugatedbyterrorasthedog，——hadmyintellectormyspiritgivenmenocountervailingresistanceinmywill。””Itkilledyourdog，——thatisfearful！Indeeditisstrangethatnoanimalcanbeinducedtostayinthathouse；notevenacat。
Ratsandmiceareneverfoundinit。””Theinstinctsofthebrutecreationdetectinfluencesdeadlytotheirexistence。Man’sreasonhasasenselesssubtle，becauseithasaresistingpowermoresupreme。Butenough；doyoucomprehendmytheory？””Yes，thoughimperfectly，——andIacceptanycrotchet(pardontheword)，howeverodd，ratherthanembraceatoncethenotionofghostsandhobgoblinsweimbibedinournurseries。Still，tomyunfortunatehouse，theevilisthesame。WhatonearthcanIdowiththehouse？””IwilltellyouwhatIwoulddo。Iamconvincedfrommyowninternalfeelingsthatthesmall，unfurnishedroomatrightanglestothedoorofthebedroomwhichIoccupied，formsastartingpointorreceptaclefortheinfluenceswhichhauntthehouse；andI
stronglyadviseyoutohavethewallsopened，thefloorremoved，——
nay，thewholeroompulleddown。Iobservethatitisdetachedfromthebodyofthehouse，builtoverthesmallbackyard，andcouldberemovedwithoutinjurytotherestofthebuilding。””Andyouthink，ifIdidthat——””Youwouldcutoffthetelegraphwires。Tryit。IamsopersuadedthatIamright，thatIwillpayhalftheexpenseifyouwillallowmetodirecttheoperations。””Nay，Iamwellabletoaffordthecost；fortherestallowmetowritetoyou。”
AbouttendaysafterIreceivedaletterfromMr。J——tellingmethathehadvisitedthehousesinceIhadseenhim；thathehadfoundthetwolettersIhaddescribed，replacedinthedrawerfromwhichIhadtakenthem；thathehadreadthemwithmisgivingslikemyown；thathehadinstitutedacautiousinquiryaboutthewomantowhomIrightlyconjecturedtheyhadbeenwritten。Itseemedthatthirty-sixyearsago(ayearbeforethedateoftheletters)
shehadmarried，againstthewishofherrelations，anAmericanofverysuspicionscharacter；infact，hewasgenerallybelievedtohavebeenapirate。Sheherselfwasthedaughterofveryrespectabletradespeople，andhadservedinthecapacityofanurserygovernessbeforehermarriage。Shehadabrother，awidower，whowasconsideredwealthy，andwhohadonechildofaboutsixyearsold。AmonthafterthemarriagethebodyofthisbrotherwasfoundintheThames，nearLondonBridge；thereseemedsomemarksofviolenceabouthisthroat，buttheywerenotdeemedsufficienttowarranttheinquestinanyotherverdictthatthatof”founddrowned。”
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’s”StrangeStory”whenhedeterminestolendhimselftoalleged”magic”inthehopeofsavinghissufferingwifefromthephysicaldangerswhichhavesucceededhermentaldisease。ThepropositionhasbeenmadetohimbyMargrave，awandererinmanycountries，whohasfollowedtheFenwicksfromEnglandtoAustralia。
Margravedeclaresthatheneedsanaccomplicetosecurean”elixiroflife”whichhisownfailingstrengthdemands。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。
