CONTENTS
No. 1—THE GATEWAY OF THE MONSTER
No. 2—THE HOUSE AMONG THE LAURELS
No. 4—THE HORSE OF THE INVISIBLE
No. 5—THE SEARCHER OF THE END HOUSE
In response to Carnacki's usual card of invitation to have dinner andlisten to a story, I arrived promptly at 427, Cheyne Walk, to find thethree others who were always invited to these happy little times, therebefore me. Five minutes later, Carnacki, Arkright, Jessop, Taylor, and Iwere all engaged in the "pleasant occupation" of dining.
"You've not been long away, this time," I remarked, as I finished mysoup; forgetting momentarily Carnacki's dislike of being asked even toskirt the borders of his story until such time as he was ready. Then hewould not stint words.
"That's all," he replied, with brevity; and I changed the subject,remarking that I had been buying a new gun, to which piece of news hegave an intelligent nod, and a smile which I think showed a genuinelygood-humored appreciation of my intentional changing of the conversation.
Later, when dinner was finished, Carnacki snugged himself comfortablydown in his big chair, along with his pipe, and began his story, withvery little circumlocution:—
"As Dodgson was remarking just now, I've only been away a short time, andfor a very good reason too—I've only been away a short distance. Theexact locality I am afraid I must not tell you; but it is less thantwenty miles from here; though, except for changing a name, that won'tspoil the story. And it is a story too! One of the most extraordinarythings ever I have run against.
"I received a letter a fortnight ago from a man I must call Anderson,asking for an appointment. I arranged a time, and when he came, I foundthat he wished me to investigate and see whether I could not clear up along-standing and well—too well—authenticated case of what he termed'haunting.' He gave me very full particulars, and, finally, as the caseseemed to present something unique, I decided to take it up.
"Two days later, I drove to the house late in the afternoon. I found it avery old place, standing quite alone in its own grounds. Anderson hadleft a letter with the butler, I found, pleading excuses for his absence,and leaving the whole house at my disposal for my investigations. Thebutler evidently knew the object of my visit, and I questioned him prettythoroughly during dinner, which I had in rather lonely state. He is anold and privileged servant, and had the history of the Grey Room exact indetail. From him I learned more particulars regarding two things thatAnderson had mentioned in but a casual manner. The first was that thedoor of the Grey Room would be heard in the dead of night to open, andslam heavily, and this even though the butler knew it was locked, and thekey on the bunch in his pantry. The second was that the bedclothe