in state of considerable nervous tension, although to my reason no adequate cause condition My mind, however, was perfectly clear I postulated quite unreservedly that nothing supernatural could happen, and the time I began to string some rhymes together, Ingoldsby fashion, original legend place few I spoke aloud, but the echoes pleasant same reason I also abandoned, after time, conversation with myself impossibility of ghosts and haunting My mind reverted three old and distorted people downstairs, and I tried it upon that topic The sombre reds and blacks room troubled, me; even with seven candles the place was merely dim The one alcove flared in draught, fire-flickering kept the shadows and penumbra perpetually shifting and stirring Casting about for remedy, I recalled the candles I had seen passage, and, with slight effort, walked out moonlight, carrying candle and leaving the door open, and presently returned with as ten These I put in various knick-knacks of china the room was sparsely adorned, lit and placed where the shadows had lain deepest, some floor, some window recesses, until at last my seventeen candles were so arranged that not an inch room but had the direct light of It occurred that ghost came, warn him not to trip over them The room was now quite brightly illuminated something very cheery and reassuring little streaming flames, and snuffing them an occupation, and afforded helpful sense passage Even , however, the brooding expectation vigil weighed heavily upon me after midnight candle alcove suddenly went out, black shadow sprang back to its place there see the candle go out; I simply turned and saw darkness was there, as one might start the unexpected presence of stranger "By Jove ! " said I aloud; "that draught's strong one ! " and, taking the matches table, I walked across the room in leisurely manner, to relight the corner again My first match strike, and as I succeeded second, something seemed to blink wall before me I turned my head involuntarily, and saw two candles little table fireplace were extinguished I rose at once to my feet

"Odd ! " "Did I myself in flash of absent-mindedness ? "

I walked back, relit one, and as so, the candle right sconce of mirrors wink and go right out, and almost immediately its companion followed it no mistake The flame vanished, as wicks suddenly nipped between finger and thumb, leaving the wick neither glowing nor smoking, but black While I stood gaping, the candle foot bed went out, shadows seemed another step towards me

"This won't do ! " said I, and first one and then another candle mantelshelf followed

"What's up ? " I cried, with queer high note getting into my voice somehow At candle wardrobe went out, one I had relit alcove followed

"Steady on ! " "These candles are wanted," speaking with half-hysterical facetiousness, and scratching away at match the while mantel candlesticks My hands trembled that twice I missed the rough paper matchbox mantel emerged from darkness again, two candles remoter end window were eclipsed But same match I also relit the larger mirror candles, and those floor near the doorway, moment I seemed to gain extinctions But then in volley there vanished four lights at once in different corners room, and I struck another match in quivering haste, and stood hesitating whither it

As I stood undecided, an invisible hand seemed to sweep out the two candles table With cry of terror, I dashed alcove, then corner, and then window, relighting three, as two more vanished fireplace; then, perceiving better way, I dropped the matches iron-bound deed-box corner, and caught up the bedroom candlestick I avoided the delay of striking matches; but for all steady process of extinction went on, shadows I feared and fought against returned, and crept in upon me, first step gained side of me and then like ragged storm-cloud sweeping out the stars one returned for minute, and was lost again now almost frantic horror coming darkness, and my self-possession deserted me I leaped panting and dishevelled from candle to candle, in vain struggle against that remorseless advance

I bruised myself thigh against the table, chair headlong, I stumbled and fell and whisked the cloth table in my fall My candle rolled away from me, and I snatched another as I rose Abruptly blown out, as I swung it off the table wind sudden movement, and immediately the two remaining candles followed But light still room, red light that staved off the shadows from me The fire ! still thrust my candle bars and relight it !

I turned to where the flames were still dancing glowing coals, and splashing red reflections furniture, made two steps towards the grate, and incontinently the flames dwindled and vanished, the glow vanished, the reflections rushed together and vanished, and as I thrust the candle bars darkness closed upon me like the shutting of an eye, wrapped about me in stifling embrace, sealed my vision, and crushed the last vestiges of reason from my brain The candle fell from my hand I flung out my arms in vain effort to thrust that ponderous blackness away from me, and, lifting up my voice, screamed with all my might--once, twice, thrice Then staggered to my feet suddenly moonlit corridor, and, with my head bowed and my arms over my face, made run door

But I had forgotten the exact position door, and struck myself heavily against the corner bed I staggered back, turned, and was either struck or struck myself against some other bulky furniture vague memory of battering myself thus, to and fro darkness, of cramped struggle, and own wild crying as I darted to and fro, of heavy blow at last upon my forehead, horrible sensation of falling that lasted an age, last frantic effort my footing, and then I remember no more

I opened my eyes in daylight My head was roughly bandaged, man withered arm was watching my face I looked about me, trying to remember what had happened, and for space recollect I rolled my eyes corner, and saw the old woman, no longer abstracted, pouring out some drops of medicine from little blue phial into glass "Where am I ? " I asked; "I seem to remember you, and yet remember who "

They told me then, and I heard haunted Red Room as one who hears tale " you at dawn," said he, "and blood forehead and lips "

very slowly I recovered my memory experience "You believe now," said the old man, " room is haunted ? " He spoke no longer as one who greets an intruder, but as one who grieves for broken friend

"Yes," said I; "the room is haunted "

"And seen it And we, lived here all our lives, have never set eyes upon it Because never dared . Tell us, truly the old earl who----"

"No," said I; " "

" you so," said the old lady, glass in her hand " his poor young countess who was frightened----"

" ," " neither ghost of earl nor ghost of countess room, no ghost there at all; but worse, far worse----"

"Well ? " they said

"The worst of all the things that haunt poor mortal man," said I; " is, in all its nakedness--Fear have light nor sound, bear with reason, that deafens and darkens and overwhelms It followed me corridor, it fought against me room----"

I stopped abruptly an interval of silence My hand went my bandages

Then the man shade sighed and spoke " it," said he " that power of darkness such curse upon woman ! It lurks there always feel it even daytime, even of bright summer's day, hangings, curtains, keeping behind you however you face about dusk it creeps along the corridor and follows you, you dare not turn Fear room of hers--black Fear, and -- house of sin endures "