TheHauntedHouseNo。IBranchLine：TheSignalManBULWER-LYTTON1803-73
TheHauntedandtheHaunters。or，TheHouseandtheBrainTheIncantationTHOMASDEQUINCEY1785-1859
TheAvengerCHARLESROBERTMATURIN1782-1824
MelmoththeWandererLAURENCESTERNE1713-68
AMysterywithaMoralWILLIAMMAKEPEACETHACKERAY1811-63
OnBeingFoundOutTheNotchontheAxANONYMOUS
BourgonefTheClosedCabinetTHEHAUNTEDHOUSE
INTWOCHAPTERS
THEMORTALSINTHEHOUSE
Undernoneoftheaccreditedghostlycircumstances，andenvironedbynoneoftheconventionalghostlysurroundings，didIfirstmakeacquaintancewiththehousewhichisthesubjectofthisChristmaspiece。Isawitinthedaylight，withthesunuponit。Therewasnowind，norain，nolightning，nothunder，noawfulorunwontedcircumstance，ofanykind，toheightenitseffect。Morethanthat：
Ihadcometoitdirectfromarailwaystation：itwasnotmorethanamiledistantfromtherailwaystation。and，asIstoodoutsidethehouse，lookingbackuponthewayIhadcome，Icouldseethegoodstrainrunningsmoothlyalongtheembankmentinthevalley。Iwillnotsaythateverythingwasutterlycommonplace，becauseIdoubtifanythingcanbethat，excepttoutterlycommonplacepeople——andtheremyvanitystepsin。but，IwilltakeitonmyselftosaythatanybodymightseethehouseasIsawit，anyfineautumnmorning。
Themannerofmylightingonitwasthis。
IwastravellingtowardsLondonoutoftheNorth，intendingtostopbytheway，tolookatthehouse。Myhealthrequiredatemporaryresidenceinthecountry。andafriendofminewhoknewthat，andwhohadhappenedtodrivepastthehouse，hadwrittentometosuggestitasalikelyplace。Ihadgotintothetrainatmidnight，andhadfallenasleep，andhadwokeupandhadsatlookingoutofwindowatthebrilliantNorthernLightsinthesky，andhadfallenasleepagain，andhadwokeupagaintofindthenightgone，withtheusualdiscontentedconvictiononmethatI
hadn’tbeentosleepatall——uponwhichquestion，inthefirstimbecilityofthatcondition，IamashamedtobelievethatIwouldhavedonewagerbybattlewiththemanwhosatoppositeme。Thatoppositemanhadhad，throughthenight——asthatoppositemanalwayshas——severallegstoomany，andallofthemtoolong。Inadditiontothisunreasonableconductwhichwasonlytobeexpectedofhim，hehadhadapencilandapocket-book，andhadbeenperpetuallylisteningandtakingnotes。Ithadappearedtomethattheseaggravatingnotesrelatedtothejoltsandbumpsofthecarriage，andIshouldhaveresignedmyselftohistakingthem，underageneralsuppositionthathewasinthecivil-engineeringwayoflife，ifhehadnotsatstaringstraightovermyheadwheneverhelistened。Hewasagoggle-eyedgentlemanofaperplexedaspect，andhisdemeanorbecameunbearable。
Itwasacold，deadmorningthesunnotbeingupyet，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：oneofasectforsomeofwhomIhavethehighestrespect，butwhomIdon’tbelievein。Iwasgoingtoaskhimthequestion，whenhetookthebreadoutofmymouth。
Youwillexcuseme，saidthegentlemancontemptuously，ifIamtoomuchinadvanceofcommonhumanitytotroublemyselfatallaboutit。Ihavepassedthenight——asindeedIpassthewholeofmytimenow——inspiritualintercourse。
O！saidI，somewhatsnappishly。
Theconferencesofthenightbegan，continuedthegentleman，turningseveralleavesofhisnote-book，withthismessage：’Evilcommunicationscorruptgoodmanners。’
Sound，saidI。but，absolutelynew？
Newfromspirits，returnedthegentleman。
IcouldonlyrepeatmyrathersnappishO！andaskifImightbefavoredwiththelastcommunication。
’Abirdinthehand，’saidthegentleman，readinghislastentrywithgreatsolemnity，’isworthtwointheBosh。’
TrulyIamofthesameopinion，saidI。butshouldn’titbeBush？
Itcametome，Bosh，returnedthegentleman。
ThegentlemantheninformedmethatthespiritofSocrateshaddeliveredthisspecialrevelationinthecourseofthenight。Myfriend，Ihopeyouareprettywell。Therearetwointhisrailwaycarriage。Howdoyoudo？Thereareseventeenthousandfourhundredandseventy-ninespiritshere，butyoucannotseethem。
Pythagorasishere。Heisnotatlibertytomentionit，buthopesyouliketravelling。Galileolikewisehaddroppedin，withthisscientificintelligence。Iamgladtoseeyou，amico。Comesta？
Waterwillfreezewhenitiscoldenough。Addio！Inthecourseofthenight，also，thefollowingphenomenahadoccurred。BishopButlerhadinsistedonspellinghisname，Bubler，forwhichoffenceagainstorthographyandgoodmannershehadbeendismissedasoutoftemper。JohnMiltonsuspectedofwilfulmystification
hadrepudiatedtheauthorshipofParadiseLost，andhadintroduced，asjointauthorsofthatpoem，twoUnknowngentlemen，respectivelynamedGrungersandScadgingtone。AndPrinceArthur，nephewofKingJohnofEngland，haddescribedhimselfastolerablycomfortableintheseventhcircle，wherehewaslearningtopaintonvelvet，underthedirectionofMrs。TrimmerandMaryQueenofScots。
Ifthisshouldmeettheeyeofthegentlemanwhofavoredmewiththesedisclosures，Itrusthewillexcusemyconfessingthatthesightoftherisingsun，andthecontemplationofthemagnificentOrderofthevastUniverse，mademeimpatientofthem。Inaword，Iwassoimpatientofthem，thatIwasmightilygladtogetoutatthenextstation，andtoexchangethesecloudsandvaporsforthefreeairofHeaven。
Bythattimeitwasabeautifulmorning。AsIwalkedawayamongsuchleavesashadalreadyfallenfromthegolden，brown，andrussettrees。andasIlookedaroundmeonthewondersofCreation，andthoughtofthesteady，unchanging，andharmoniouslawsbywhichtheyaresustained。thegentleman’sspiritualintercourseseemedtomeaspoorapieceofjourney-workaseverthisworldsaw。Inwhichheathenstateofmind，Icamewithinviewofthehouse，andstoppedtoexamineitattentively。
Itwasasolitaryhouse，standinginasadlyneglectedgarden：aprettyevensquareofsometwoacres。ItwasahouseofaboutthetimeofGeorgetheSecond。asstiff，ascold，asformal，andinasbadtaste，ascouldpossiblybedesiredbythemostloyaladmirerofthewholequartetofGeorges。Itwasuninhabited，buthad，withinayearortwo，beencheaplyrepairedtorenderithabitable。
Isaycheaply，becausetheworkhadbeendoneinasurfacemanner，andwasalreadydecayingastothepaintandplaster，thoughthecolorswerefresh。Alop-sidedboarddroopedoverthegardenwall，announcingthatitwastoletonveryreasonableterms，wellfurnished。Itwasmuchtoocloselyandheavilyshadowedbytrees，and，inparticular，thereweresixtallpoplarsbeforethefrontwindows，whichwereexcessivelymelancholy，andthesiteofwhichhadbeenextremelyillchosen。
Itwaseasytoseethatitwasanavoidedhouse——ahousethatwasshunnedbythevillage，towhichmyeyewasguidedbyachurchspiresomehalfamileoff——ahousethatnobodywouldtake。Andthenaturalinferencewas，thatithadthereputationofbeingahauntedhouse。
Noperiodwithinthefour-and-twentyhoursofdayandnightissosolemntome，astheearlymorning。Inthesummer-time，Ioftenriseveryearly，andrepairtomyroomtodoaday’sworkbeforebreakfast，andIamalwaysonthoseoccasionsdeeplyimpressedbythestillnessandsolitudearoundme。Besidesthatthereissomethingawfulinthebeingsurroundedbyfamiliarfacesasleep——
intheknowledgethatthosewhoaredearesttousandtowhomwearedearest，areprofoundlyunconsciousofus，inanimpassivestate，anticipativeofthatmysteriousconditiontowhichwearealltending——thestoppedlife，thebrokenthreadsofyesterday，thedesertedseat，theclosedbook，theunfinishedbutabandonedoccupation，allareimagesofDeath。ThetranquillityofthehouristhetranquillityofDeath。Thecolorandthechillhavethesameassociation。Evenacertainairthatfamiliarhouseholdobjectstakeuponthemwhentheyfirstemergefromtheshadowsofthenightintothemorning，ofbeingnewer，andastheyusedtobelongago，hasitscounterpartinthesubsidenceofthewornfaceofmaturityorage，indeath，intotheoldyouthfullook。Moreover，I
oncesawtheapparitionofmyfather，atthishour。Hewasaliveandwell，andnothingevercameofit，butIsawhiminthedaylight，sittingwithhisbacktowardsme，onaseatthatstoodbesidemybed。Hisheadwasrestingonhishand，andwhetherhewasslumberingorgrieving，Icouldnotdiscern。Amazedtoseehimthere，Isatup，movedmyposition，leanedoutofbed，andwatchedhim。Ashedidnotmove，Ispoketohimmorethanonce。Ashedidnotmovethen，Ibecamealarmedandlaidmyhanduponhisshoulder，asIthought——andtherewasnosuchthing。
Forallthesereasons，andforotherslesseasilyandbrieflystatable，Ifindtheearlymorningtobemymostghostlytime。Anyhousewouldbemoreorlesshaunted，tome，intheearlymorning。
andahauntedhousecouldscarcelyaddressmetogreateradvantagethanthen。
Iwalkedonintothevillage，withthedesertionofthishouseuponmymind，andIfoundthelandlordofthelittleinn，sandinghisdoor-step。Ibespokebreakfast，andbroachedthesubjectofthehouse。
Isithaunted？Iasked。
Thelandlordlookedatme，shookhishead，andanswered，Isaynothing。
ThenitIShaunted？
Well！criedthelandlord，inanoutburstoffranknessthathadtheappearanceofdesperation——Iwouldn’tsleepinit。
Whynot？
IfIwantedtohaveallthebellsinahousering，withnobodytoring’em。andallthedoorsinahousebang，withnobodytobang’em。andallsortsoffeettreadingabout，withnofeetthere。why，then，saidthelandlord，I’dsleepinthathouse。
Isanythingseenthere？
Thelandlordlookedatmeagain，andthen，withhisformerappearanceofdesperation，calleddownhisstable-yardforIkey！
Thecallproducedahigh-shoulderedyoungfellow，witharoundredface，ashortcropofsandyhair，averybroadhumorousmouth，aturned-upnose，andagreatsleevedwaistcoatofpurplebars，withmother-of-pearlbuttons，thatseemedtobegrowinguponhim，andtobeinafairway——ifitwerenotpruned——ofcoveringhisheadandoverrunninghisboots。
Thisgentlemanwantstoknow，saidthelandlord，ifanything’sseenatthePoplars。
’Oodedwomanwithahowl，saidIkey，inastateofgreatfreshness。
Doyoumeanacry？
Imeanabird，sir。
Ahoodedwomanwithanowl。Dearme！Didyoueverseeher？
Iseenthehowl。
Neverthewoman？
Notsoplainasthehowl，buttheyalwayskeepstogether。
Hasanybodyeverseenthewomanasplainlyastheowl？
Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。
Who？
Lordblessyou，sir！Lots。
Thegeneral-dealeropposite，forinstance，whoisopeninghisshop？
Perkins？Blessyou，Perkinswouldn’tgoa-nightheplace。No！
observedtheyoungman，withconsiderablefeeling。hean’toverwise，an’tPerkins，buthean’tsuchafoolasTHAT。
Here，thelandlordmurmuredhisconfidenceinPerkins’sknowingbetter。
Whois——orwhowas——thehoodedwomanwiththeowl？Doyouknow？
Well！saidIkey，holdinguphiscapwithonehandwhilehescratchedhisheadwiththeother，theysay，ingeneral，thatshewasmurdered，andthehowlhe’ootedthewhile。
ThisveryconcisesummaryofthefactswasallIcouldlearn，exceptthatayoungman，asheartyandlikelyayoungmanaseverI
see，hadbeentookwithfitsandhelddownin’em，afterseeingthehoodedwoman。Also，thatapersonage，dimlydescribedasaholdchap，asortofone-eyedtramp，answeringtothenameofJoby，unlessyouchallengedhimasGreenwood，andthenhesaid，’Whynot？
andevenifso，mindyourownbusiness，’hadencounteredthehoodedwoman，amatteroffiveorsixtimes。But，Iwasnotmateriallyassistedbythesewitnesses：inasmuchasthefirstwasinCalifornia，andthelastwas，asIkeysaidandhewasconfirmedbythelandlord，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-lawawhipandharnessmaker，whokeepsthePostOffice，andisundersubmissiontoamostrigorouswifeoftheDoublySecedingLittleEmmanuelpersuasion，andwentuptothehouse，attendedbymylandlordandbyIkey。
Within，Ifoundit，asIhadexpected，transcendentlydismal。Theslowlychangingshadowswavedonitfromtheheavytrees，weredolefulinthelastdegree。thehousewasill-placed，ill-built，ill-planned，andill-fitted。Itwasdamp，itwasnotfreefromdryrot，therewasaflavorofratsinit，anditwasthegloomyvictimofthatindescribabledecaywhichsettlesonalltheworkofman’shandswheneverit’snotturnedtoman’saccount。Thekitchensandofficesweretoolarge，andtooremotefromeachother。Abovestairsandbelow，wastetractsofpassageintervenedbetweenpatchesoffertilityrepresentedbyrooms。andtherewasamouldyoldwellwithagreengrowthuponit，hidinglikeamurderoustrap，nearthebottomoftheback-stairs，underthedoublerowofbells。
Oneofthesebellswaslabelled，onablackgroundinfadedwhiteletters，MASTERB。This，theytoldme，wasthebellthatrangthemost。
WhowasMasterB。？Iasked。Isitknownwhathedidwhiletheowlhooted？
Rangthebell，saidIkey。
Iwasratherstruckbythepromptdexteritywithwhichthisyoungmanpitchedhisfurcapatthebell，andrangithimself。Itwasaloud，unpleasantbell，andmadeaverydisagreeablesound。Theotherbellswereinscribedaccordingtothenamesoftheroomstowhichtheirwireswereconducted：asPictureRoom，DoubleRoom，
ClockRoom，andthelike。FollowingMasterB。’sbelltoitssourceIfoundthatyounggentlemantohavehadbutindifferentthird-classaccommodationinatriangularcabinunderthecock-
loft，withacornerfireplacewhichMasterB。musthavebeenexceedinglysmallifhewereeverabletowarmhimselfat，andacornerchimney-piecelikeapyramidalstaircasetotheceilingforTomThumb。Thepaperingofonesideoftheroomhaddroppeddownbodily，withfragmentsofplasteradheringtoit，andalmostblockedupthedoor。ItappearedthatMasterB。，inhisspiritualcondition，alwaysmadeapointofpullingthepaperdown。NeitherthelandlordnorIkeycouldsuggestwhyhemadesuchafoolofhimself。
Exceptthatthehousehadanimmenselylargeramblingloftattop，Imadenootherdiscoveries。Itwasmoderatelywellfurnished，butsparely。Someofthefurniture——say，athird——wasasoldasthehouse。therestwasofvariousperiodswithinthelasthalf-
century。Iwasreferredtoacorn-chandlerinthemarket-placeofthecountytowntotreatforthehouse。Iwentthatday，andI
tookitforsixmonths。
ItwasjustthemiddleofOctoberwhenImovedinwithmymaidensisterIventuretocallhereight-and-thirty，sheissoveryhandsome，sensible，andengaging。Wetookwithus，adeafstable-
man，mybloodhoundTurk，twowomenservants，andayoungpersoncalledanOddGirl。Ihavereasontorecordoftheattendantlastenumerated，whowasoneoftheSaintLawrence’sUnionFemaleOrphans，thatshewasafatalmistakeandadisastrousengagement。
Theyearwasdyingearly，theleaveswerefallingfast，itwasarawcolddaywhenwetookpossession，andthegloomofthehousewasmostdepressing。Thecookanamiablewoman，butofaweakturnofintellectburstintotearsonbeholdingthekitchen，andrequestedthathersilverwatchmightbedeliveredovertohersister2Tuppintock’sGardens，Liggs’sWalk，ClaphamRise，intheeventofanythinghappeningtoherfromthedamp。Streaker，thehousemaid，feignedcheerfulness，butwasthegreatermartyr。TheOddGirl，whohadneverbeeninthecountry，alonewaspleased，andmadearrangementsforsowinganacorninthegardenoutsidethescullerywindow，andrearinganoak。
Wewent，beforedark，throughallthenatural——asopposedtosupernatural——miseriesincidentaltoourstate。Dispiritingreportsascendedlikethesmokefromthebasementinvolumes，anddescendedfromtheupperrooms。Therewasnorolling-pin，therewasnosalamanderwhichfailedtosurpriseme，forIdon’tknowwhatitis，therewasnothinginthehouse。whattherewas，wasbroken，thelastpeoplemusthavelivedlikepigs，whatcouldthemeaningofthelandlordbe？Throughthesedistresses，theOddGirlwascheerfulandexemplary。Butwithinfourhoursafterdarkwehadgotintoasupernaturalgroove，andtheOddGirlhadseenEyes，andwasinhysterics。
MysisterandIhadagreedtokeepthehauntingstrictlytoourselves，andmyimpressionwas，andstillis，thatIhadnotleftIkey，whenhehelpedtounloadthecart，alonewiththewomen，oranyoneofthem，foroneminute。Nevertheless，asIsay，theOddGirlhadseenEyesnootherexplanationcouldeverbedrawnfromher，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。Thewomentheirnosesinachronicstateofexcoriationfromsmelling-saltswerealwaysprimedandloadedforaswoon，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。Ithoughtitunderthecircumstancesratherimprudenttobringher，becausethereisnoknowingwhatevenafalsealarmmaydoatsuchatime。butIsupposeheknewhisownbusinessbest，andImustsaythatifshehadbeenMYwife，Inevercouldhaveleftherendearingandbrightfacebehind。TheydrewtheClockRoom。
AlfredStarling，anuncommonlyagreeableyoungfellowofeight-and-
twentyforwhomIhavethegreatestliking，wasintheDoubleRoom。
mine，usually，anddesignatedbythatnamefromhavingadressing-
roomwithinit，withtwolargeandcumbersomewindows，whichnowedgesIwaseverabletomake，wouldkeepfromshaking，inanyweather，windornowind。Alfredisayoungfellowwhopretendstobefastanotherwordforloose，asIunderstandtheterm，butwhoismuchtoogoodandsensibleforthatnonsense，andwhowouldhavedistinguishedhimselfbeforenow，ifhisfatherhadnotunfortunatelylefthimasmallindependenceoftwohundredayear，onthestrengthofwhichhisonlyoccupationinlifehasbeentospendsix。Iaminhopes，however，thathisBankermaybreak，orthathemayenterintosomespeculationguaranteedtopaytwentypercent……for，Iamconvincedthatifhecouldonlyberuined，hisfortuneismade。BelindaBates，bosomfriendofmysister，andamostintellectual，amiable，anddelightfulgirl，gotthePictureRoom。Shehasafinegeniusforpoetry，combinedwithrealbusinessearnestness，andgoesin——touseanexpressionofAlfred’s——forWoman’smission，Woman’srights，Woman’swrongs，andeverythingthatiswoman’swithacapitalW，orisnotandoughttobe，orisandoughtnottobe。Mostpraiseworthy，mydear，andHeavenprosperyou！IwhisperedtoheronthefirstnightofmytakingleaveofheratthePicture-Roomdoor，butdon’toverdoit。
Andinrespectofthegreatnecessitythereis，mydarling，formoreemploymentsbeingwithinthereachofWomanthanourcivilisationhasasyetassignedtoher，don’tflyattheunfortunatemen，eventhosemenwhoareatfirstsightinyourway，asiftheywerethenaturaloppressorsofyoursex。for，trustme，Belinda，theydosometimesspendtheirwagesamongwivesanddaughters，sisters，mothers，aunts，andgrandmothers。andtheplayis，really，notALLWolfandRedRiding-Hood，buthasotherpartsinit。However，Idigress。
Belinda，asIhavementioned，occupiedthePictureRoom。Wehadbutthreeotherchambers：theCornerRoom，theCupboardRoom，andtheGardenRoom。Myoldfriend，JackGovernor，slunghishammock，ashecalledit，intheCornerRoom。IhavealwaysregardedJackasthefinest-lookingsailorthateversailed。Heisgraynow，butashandsomeashewasaquarterofacenturyago——
nay，handsomer。Aportly，cheery，well-builtfigureofabroad-
shoulderedman，withafranksmile，abrilliantdarkeye，andarichdarkeyebrow。Irememberthoseunderdarkerhair，andtheylookallthebetterfortheirsilversetting。HehasbeenwhereverhisUnionnamesakeflies，hasJack，andIhavemetoldshipmatesofhis，awayintheMediterraneanandontheothersideoftheAtlantic，whohavebeamedandbrightenedatthecasualmentionofhisname，andhavecried，YouknowJackGovernor？Thenyouknowaprinceofmen！Thatheis！Andsounmistakablyanavalofficer，thatifyouweretomeethimcomingoutofanEsquimauxsnow-hutinseal’sskin，youwouldbevaguelypersuadedhewasinfullnavaluniform。
Jackoncehadthatbrightcleareyeofhisonmysister。but，itfelloutthathemarriedanotherladyandtookhertoSouthAmerica，whereshedied。Thiswasadozenyearsagoormore。Hebroughtdownwithhimtoourhauntedhousealittlecaskofsaltbeef。for，heisalwaysconvincedthatallsaltbeefnotofhisownpickling，ismerecarrion，andinvariably，whenhegoestoLondon，packsapieceinhisportmanteau。HehadalsovolunteeredtobringwithhimoneNatBeaver，anoldcomradeofhis，captainofamerchantman。Mr。Beaver，withathick-setwoodenfaceandfigure，andapparentlyashardasablockallover，provedtobeanintelligentman，withaworldofwateryexperiencesinhim，andgreatpracticalknowledge。Attimes，therewasacuriousnervousnessabouthim，apparentlythelingeringresultofsomeoldillness。but，itseldomlastedmanyminutes。HegottheCupboardRoom，andlaytherenexttoMr。Undery，myfriendandsolicitor：
whocamedown，inanamateurcapacity，togothroughwithit，ashesaid，andwhoplayswhistbetterthanthewholeLawList，fromtheredcoveratthebeginningtotheredcoverattheend。
Ineverwashappierinmylife，andIbelieveitwastheuniversalfeelingamongus。JackGovernor，alwaysamanofwonderfulresources，wasChiefCook，andmadesomeofthebestdishesIeverate，includingunapproachablecurries。Mysisterwaspastrycookandconfectioner。StarlingandIwereCook’sMate，turnandturnabout，andonspecialoccasionsthechiefcookpressedMr。
Beaver。Wehadagreatdealofoutdoorsportandexercise，butnothingwasneglectedwithin，andtherewasnoill-humorormisunderstandingamongus，andoureveningsweresodelightfulthatwehadatleastonegoodreasonforbeingreluctanttogotobed。
Wehadafewnightalarmsinthebeginning。Onthefirstnight，I
wasknockedupbyJackwithamostwonderfulship’slanterninhishand，likethegillsofsomemonsterofthedeep，whoinformedmethathewasgoingalofttothemaintruck，tohavetheweathercockdown。ItwasastormynightandIremonstrated。butJackcalledmyattentiontoitsmakingasoundlikeacryofdespair，andsaidsomebodywouldbehailingaghostpresently，ifitwasn’tdone。So，uptothetopofthehouse，whereIcouldhardlystandforthewind，wewent，accompaniedbyMr。Beaver。andthereJack，lanternandall，withMr。Beaverafterhim，swarmeduptothetopofacupola，sometwodozenfeetabovethechimneys，andstooduponnothingparticular，coollyknockingtheweathercockoff，untiltheybothgotintosuchgoodspiritswiththewindandtheheight，thatIthoughttheywouldnevercomedown。Anothernight，theyturnedoutagain，andhadachimney-cowloff。Anothernight，theycutasobbingandgulpingwater-pipeaway。Anothernight，theyfoundoutsomethingelse。Onseveraloccasions，theyboth，inthecoolestmanner，simultaneouslydroppedoutoftheirrespectivebedroomwindows，handoverhandbytheircounterpanes，tooverhaulsomethingmysteriousinthegarden。
Theengagementamonguswasfaithfullykept，andnobodyrevealedanything。Allweknewwas，ifanyone’sroomwerehaunted，noonelookedtheworseforit。
TheforegoingstoryisparticularlyinterestingasillustratingtheleaningofDickens’smindtowardthespiritualisticandmysticalfanciescurrentinhistime，andthecounterbalanceofhiscommonsenseandfun。
Heprobablynevermadeuphisownmind，Mr。AndrewLangdeclaresinadiscussionofthisHauntedHousestory。Mr。Langsaysheoncetookpartinasimilarquest，andcanrecognizetheaccuracyofmostofDickens’sremarks。Indeed，eventopersonsnotontheleveloftheOddGirlineducation，thetemptationtoproduce’phenomena’forfunisallbutoverwhelming。Thatpeoplecommunicatehallucinationstoeachother’insomediseasedwaywithoutwords，’isamoderntheoryperhapsfirstformulatedherebyDickens。
TheSignalMan’sStory，whichfollows，islikewise，Mr。Langbelieves，probablybasedonsomerealstoryofthekind，someanecdoteofpremonitions。TherearescoresintherecordsoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch——TheEditor。
NO。1BRANCHLINE：THESIGNAL-MAN
Halloa！Belowthere！
Whenheheardavoicethuscallingtohim，hewasstandingatthedoorofhisbox，withaflaginhishand，furledrounditsshortpole。Onewouldhavethought，consideringthenatureoftheground，thathecouldnothavedoubtedfromwhatquarterthevoicecame。butinsteadoflookinguptowhereIstoodonthetopofthesteepcuttingnearlyoverhishead，heturnedhimselfabout，andlookeddowntheLine。Therewassomethingremarkableinhismannerofdoingso，thoughIcouldnothavesaidformylifewhat。ButI
knowitwasremarkableenoughtoattractmynotice，eventhoughhisfigurewasforeshortenedandshadowed，downinthedeeptrench，andminewashighabovehim，sosteepedintheglowofanangrysunset，thatIhadshadedmyeyeswithmyhandbeforeIsawhimatall。
Halloa！Below！
FromlookingdowntheLine，heturnedhimselfaboutagain，and，raisinghiseyes，sawmyfigurehighabovehim。
IsthereanypathbywhichIcancomedownandspeaktoyou？
Helookedupatmewithoutreplying，andIlookeddownathimwithoutpressinghimtoosoonwitharepetitionofmyidlequestion。Justthentherecameavaguevibrationintheearthandair，quicklychangingintoaviolentpulsation，andanoncomingrushthatcausedmetostartback，asthoughithadaforcetodrawmedown。Whensuchvaporasrosetomyheightfromthisrapidtrainhadpassedme，andwasskimmingawayoverthelandscape，I
lookeddownagain，andsawhimrefurlingtheflaghehadshownwhilethetrainwentby。
Irepeatedmyinquiry。Afterapause，duringwhichheseemedtoregardmewithfixedattention，hemotionedwithhisrolled-upflagtowardsapointonmylevel，sometwoorthreehundredyardsdistant。Icalleddowntohim，Allright！andmadeforthatpoint。There，bydintoflookingcloselyaboutme，Ifoundaroughzigzagdescendingpathnotchedout，whichIfollowed。
Thecuttingwasextremelydeep，andunusuallyprecipitate。Itwasmadethroughaclammystone，thatbecameoozierandwetterasI
wentdown。Forthesereasons，Ifoundthewaylongenoughtogivemetimetorecallasingularairofreluctanceorcompulsionwithwhichhehadpointedoutthepath。
WhenIcamedownlowenoughuponthezigzagdescenttoseehimagain，Isawthathewasstandingbetweentherailsonthewaybywhichthetrainhadlatelypassed，inanattitudeasifhewerewaitingformetoappear。Hehadhislefthandathischin，andthatleftelbowrestedonhisrighthand，crossedoverhisbreast。
HisattitudewasoneofsuchexpectationandwatchfulnessthatI
stoppedamoment，wonderingatit。
Iresumedmydownwardway，andsteppingoutupontheleveloftherailroad，anddrawingnearertohim，sawthathewasadark，sallowman，withadarkbeardandratherheavyeyebrows。HispostwasinassolitaryanddismalaplaceaseverIsaw。Oneitherside，adripping-wetwallofjaggedstone，excludingallviewbutastripofsky。theperspectiveonewayonlyacrookedprolongationofthisgreatdungeon。theshorterperspectiveintheotherdirectionterminatinginagloomyredlight，andthegloomierentrancetoablacktunnel，inwhosemassivearchitecturetherewasabarbarous，depressing，andforbiddingair。Solittlesunlighteverfounditswaytothisspot，thatithadanearthy，deadlysmell。andsomuchcoldwindrushedthroughit，thatitstruckchilltome，asifI
hadleftthenaturalworld。
Beforehestirred，Iwasnearenoughtohimtohavetouchedhim。
Noteventhenremovinghiseyesfrommine，hesteppedbackonestep，andliftedhishand。
ThiswasalonesomeposttooccupyIsaid，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，herepliedbutwithoutsound，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，andIhopedI
mightsaywithoutoffenceperhapseducatedabovethatstation，heobservedthatinstancesofslightincongruityinsuchwisewouldrarelybefoundwantingamonglargebodiesofmen。thathehadhearditwassoinworkhouses，inthepoliceforce，eveninthatlastdesperateresource，thearmy。andthatheknewitwasso，moreorless，inanygreatrailwaystaff。Hehadbeen，whenyoungifI
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，openedthedoorofthehutwhichwaskeptshuttoexcludetheunhealthydamp，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。IwalkedbythesideofthedownLineofrailswithaverydisagreeablesensationofatraincomingbehindmeuntilIfoundthepath。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。IranoutagainfasterthanIhadruninforIhadamortalabhorrenceoftheplaceuponme，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，IaddedforIthoughtIsawthathewasgoingtobringtheobjectiontobearuponme，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！