Contents：
TheSignal-ManTheHaunted-HouseTheTrialForMurderTHESIGNAL-MAN
\"Halloa！Belowthere！\"
Whenheheardavoicethuscallingtohim，hewasstandingatthedoorofhisbox，withaflaginhishand，furledrounditsshortpole。Onewouldhavethought，consideringthenatureoftheground，thathecouldnothavedoubtedfromwhatquarterthevoicecame；butinsteadoflookinguptowhereIstoodonthetopofthesteepcuttingnearlyoverhishead，heturnedhimselfabout，andlookeddowntheLine。Therewassomethingremarkableinhismannerofdoingso，thoughIcouldnothavesaidformylifewhat。ButIknowitwasremarkableenoughtoattractmynotice，eventhoughhisfigurewasforeshortenedandshadowed，downinthedeeptrench，andminewashighabovehim，sosteepedintheglowofanangrysunset，thatIhadshadedmyeyeswithmyhandbeforeIsawhimatall。
\"Halloa！Below！\"
FromlookingdowntheLine，heturnedhimselfaboutagain，and，raisinghiseyes，sawmyfigurehighabovehim。
\"IsthereanypathbywhichIcancomedownandspeaktoyou？\"
Helookedupatmewithoutreplying，andIlookeddownathimwithoutpressinghimtoosoonwitharepetitionofmyidlequestion。
Justthentherecameavaguevibrationintheearthandair，quicklychangingintoaviolentpulsation，andanoncomingrushthatcausedmetostartback，asthoughithadforcetodrawmedown。Whensuchvapourasrosetomyheightfromthisrapidtrainhadpassedme，andwasskimmingawayoverthelandscape，Ilookeddownagain，andsawhimrefurlingtheflaghehadshownwhilethetrainwentby。
Irepeatedmyinquiry。Afterapause，duringwhichheseemedtoregardmewithfixedattention，hemotionedwithhisrolled-upflagtowardsapointonmylevel，sometwoorthreehundredyardsdistant。Icalleddowntohim，\"Allright！\"andmadeforthatpoint。There，bydintoflookingcloselyaboutme，Ifoundaroughzigzagdescendingpathnotchedout，whichIfollowed。
Thecuttingwasextremelydeep，andunusuallyprecipitate。Itwasmadethroughaclammystone，thatbecameoozierandwetterasIwentdown。Forthesereasons，Ifoundthewaylongenoughtogivemetimetorecallasingularairofreluctanceorcompulsionwithwhichhehadpointedoutthepath。
WhenIcamedownlowenoughuponthezigzagdescenttoseehimagain，Isawthathewasstandingbetweentherailsonthewaybywhichthetrainhadlatelypassed，inanattitudeasifhewerewaitingformetoappear。Hehadhislefthandathischin，andthatleftelbowrestedonhisrighthand，crossedoverhisbreast。
HisattitudewasoneofsuchexpectationandwatchfulnessthatI
stoppedamoment，wonderingatit。
Iresumedmydownwardway，andsteppingoutupontheleveloftherailroad，anddrawingnearertohim，sawthathewasadarksallowman，withadarkbeardandratherheavyeyebrows。HispostwasinassolitaryanddismalaplaceaseverIsaw。Oneitherside，adripping-wetwallofjaggedstone，excludingallviewbutastripofsky；theperspectiveonewayonlyacrookedprolongationofthisgreatdungeon；theshorterperspectiveintheotherdirectionterminatinginagloomyredlight，andthegloomierentrancetoablacktunnel，inwhosemassivearchitecturetherewasabarbarous，depressing，andforbiddingair。Solittlesunlighteverfounditswaytothisspot，thatithadanearthy，deadlysmell；andsomuchcoldwindrushedthroughit，thatitstruckchilltome，asifIhadleftthenaturalworld。
Beforehestirred，Iwasnearenoughtohimtohavetouchedhim。
Noteventhenremovinghiseyesfrommine，hesteppedbackonestep，andliftedhishand。
Thiswasalonesomeposttooccupy（Isaid），andithadrivetedmyattentionwhenIlookeddownfromupyonder。Avisitorwasararity，Ishouldsuppose；notanunwelcomerarity，Ihoped？Inme，hemerelysawamanwhohadbeenshutupwithinnarrowlimitsallhislife，andwho，beingatlastsetfree，hadanewly-awakenedinterestinthesegreatworks。TosuchpurposeIspoketohim；butIamfarfromsureofthetermsIused；for，besidesthatIamnothappyinopeninganyconversation，therewassomethinginthemanthatdauntedme。
Hedirectedamostcuriouslooktowardstheredlightnearthetunnel’smouth，andlookedallaboutit，asifsomethingweremissingfromit，andthenlookeditme。
Thatlightwaspartofhischarge？Wasitnot？
Heansweredinalowvoice，——\"Don’tyouknowitis？\"
Themonstrousthoughtcameintomymind，asIperusedthefixedeyesandthesaturnineface，thatthiswasaspirit，notaman。Ihavespeculatedsince，whethertheremayhavebeeninfectioninhismind。
Inmyturn，Isteppedback。Butinmakingtheaction，Idetectedinhiseyessomelatentfearofme。Thisputthemonstrousthoughttoflight。
\"Youlookatme，\"Isaid，forcingasmile，\"asifyouhadadreadofme。\"
\"Iwasdoubtful，\"hereturned，\"whetherIhadseenyoubefore。\"
\"Where？\"
Hepointedtotheredlighthehadlookedat。
\"There？\"Isaid。
Intentlywatchfulofme，hereplied（butwithoutsound），\"Yes。\"
\"Mygoodfellow，whatshouldIdothere？However，bethatasitmay，Ineverwasthere，youmayswear。\"
\"IthinkImay，\"herejoined。\"Yes；IamsureImay。\"
Hismannercleared，likemyown。Herepliedtomyremarkswithreadiness，andinwell-chosenwords。Hadhemuchtodothere？Yes；
thatwastosay，hehadenoughresponsibilitytobear；butexactnessandwatchfulnesswerewhatwasrequiredofhim，andofactualwork——
manuallabour——hehadnexttonone。Tochangethatsignal，totrimthoselights，andtoturnthisironhandlenowandthen，wasallhehadtodounderthathead。RegardingthosemanylongandlonelyhoursofwhichIseemedtomakesomuch，hecouldonlysaythattheroutineofhislifehadshapeditselfintothatform，andhehadgrownusedtoit。Hehadtaughthimselfalanguagedownhere，——ifonlytoknowitbysight，andtohaveformedhisowncrudeideasofitspronunciation，couldbecalledlearningit。Hehadalsoworkedatfractionsanddecimals，andtriedalittlealgebra；buthewas，andhadbeenasaboy，apoorhandatfigures。Wasitnecessaryforhimwhenondutyalwaystoremaininthatchannelofdampair，andcouldheneverriseintothesunshinefrombetweenthosehighstonewalls？Why，thatdependedupontimesandcircumstances。UndersomeconditionstherewouldbelessupontheLinethanunderothers，andthesameheldgoodastocertainhoursofthedayandnight。Inbrightweather，hedidchooseoccasionsforgettingalittleabovetheselowershadows；but，beingatalltimesliabletobecalledbyhiselectricbell，andatsuchtimeslisteningforitwithredoubledanxiety，thereliefwaslessthanIwouldsuppose。
Hetookmeintohisbox，wheretherewasafire，adeskforanofficialbookinwhichhehadtomakecertainentries，atelegraphicinstrumentwithitsdial，face，andneedles，andthelittlebellofwhichhehadspoken。Onmytrustingthathewouldexcusetheremarkthathehadbeenwelleducated，and（IhopedImightsaywithoutoffence）perhapseducatedabovethatstation，heobservedthatinstancesofslightincongruityinsuchwisewouldrarelybefoundwantingamonglargebodiesofmen；thathehadhearditwassoinworkhouses，inthepoliceforce，eveninthatlastdesperateresource，thearmy；andthatheknewitwasso，moreorless，inanygreatrailwaystaff。Hehadbeen，whenyoung（ifIcouldbelieveit，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，butforthecircumstancethatwhilehewasspeakingtomehetwicebrokeoffwithafallencolour，turnedhisfacetowardsthelittlebellwhenitdidNOTring，openedthedoorofthehut（whichwaskeptshuttoexcludetheunhealthydamp），andlookedouttowardstheredlightnearthemouthofthetunnel。Onbothofthoseoccasions，hecamebacktothefirewiththeinexplicableairuponhimwhichIhadremarked，withoutbeingabletodefine，whenweweresofarasunder。
SaidI，whenIrosetoleavehim，\"YoualmostmakemethinkthatI
havemetwithacontentedman。\"
（IamafraidImustacknowledgethatIsaidittoleadhimon。）
\"IbelieveIusedtobeso，\"herejoined，inthelowvoiceinwhichhehadfirstspoken；\"butIamtroubled，sir，Iamtroubled。\"
Hewouldhaverecalledthewordsifhecould。Hehadsaidthem，however，andItookthemupquickly。
\"Withwhat？Whatisyourtrouble？\"
\"Itisverydifficulttoimpart，sir。Itisvery，verydifficulttospeakof。Ifeveryoumakemeanothervisit，Iwilltrytotellyou。\"
\"ButIexpresslyintendtomakeyouanothervisit。Say，whenshallitbe？\"
\"Igooffearlyinthemorning，andIshallbeonagainattento-
morrownight，sir。\"
\"Iwillcomeateleven。\"
Hethankedme，andwentoutatthedoorwithme。\"I’llshowmywhitelight，sir，\"hesaid，inhispeculiarlowvoice，\"tillyouhavefoundthewayup。Whenyouhavefoundit，don’tcallout！Andwhenyouareatthetop，don’tcallout！\"
Hismannerseemedtomaketheplacestrikecoldertome，butIsaidnomorethan，\"Verywell。\"
\"Andwhenyoucomedownto-morrownight，don’tcallout！Letmeaskyouapartingquestion。Whatmadeyoucry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’
to-night？\"
\"Heavenknows，\"saidI。\"Icriedsomethingtothateffect——\"
\"Nottothateffect，sir。Thoseweretheverywords。Iknowthemwell。\"
\"Admitthoseweretheverywords。Isaidthem，nodoubt，becauseI
sawyoubelow。\"
\"Fornootherreason？\"
\"WhatotherreasoncouldIpossiblyhave？\"
\"Youhadnofeelingthattheywereconveyedtoyouinanysupernaturalway？\"
\"No。\"
Hewishedmegood-night，andhelduphislight。IwalkedbythesideofthedownLineofrails（withaverydisagreeablesensationofatraincomingbehindme）untilIfoundthepath。Itwaseasiertomountthantodescend，andIgotbacktomyinnwithoutanyadventure。
Punctualtomyappointment，Iplacedmyfootonthefirstnotchofthezigzagnextnight，asthedistantclockswerestrikingeleven。
Hewaswaitingformeatthebottom，withhiswhitelighton。\"I
havenotcalledout，\"Isaid，whenwecameclosetogether；\"mayI
speaknow？\"\"Byallmeans，sir。\"\"Good-night，then，andhere’smyhand。\"\"Good-night，sir，andhere’smine。\"Withthatwewalkedsidebysidetohisbox，enteredit，closedthedoor，andsatdownbythefire。
\"Ihavemadeupmymind，sir，\"hebegan，bendingforwardassoonaswewereseated，andspeakinginatonebutalittleaboveawhisper，\"thatyoushallnothavetoaskmetwicewhattroublesme。Itookyouforsomeoneelseyesterdayevening。Thattroublesme。\"
\"Thatmistake？\"
\"No。Thatsomeoneelse。\"
\"Whoisit？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"Likeme？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Ineversawtheface。Theleftarmisacrosstheface，andtherightarmiswaved，——violentlywaved。Thisway。\"
Ifollowedhisactionwithmyeyes，anditwastheactionofanarmgesticulating，withtheutmostpassionandvehemence，\"ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！\"
\"Onemoonlightnight，\"saidtheman，\"Iwassittinghere，whenI
heardavoicecry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’Istartedup，lookedfromthatdoor，andsawthisSomeoneelsestandingbytheredlightnearthetunnel，wavingasIjustnowshowedyou。Thevoiceseemedhoarsewithshouting，anditcried，’Lookout！Lookout！’Andthenattain，’Halloa！Belowthere！Lookout！’Icaughtupmylamp，turneditonred，andrantowardsthefigure，calling，’What’swrong？Whathashappened？Where？’Itstoodjustoutsidetheblacknessofthetunnel。IadvancedsocloseuponitthatI
wonderedatitskeepingthesleeveacrossitseyes。Iranrightupatit，andhadmyhandstretchedouttopullthesleeveaway，whenitwasgone。\"
\"Intothetunnel？\"saidI。
\"No。Iranonintothetunnel，fivehundredyards。Istopped，andheldmylampabovemyhead，andsawthefiguresofthemeasureddistance，andsawthewetstainsstealingdownthewallsandtricklingthroughthearch。IranoutagainfasterthanIhadrunin（forIhadamortalabhorrenceoftheplaceuponme），andI
lookedallroundtheredlightwithmyownredlight，andIwentuptheironladdertothegalleryatopofit，andIcamedownagain，andranbackhere。Itelegraphedbothways，’Analarmhasbeengiven。Isanythingwrong？’Theanswercameback，bothways，’Allwell。’\"
Resistingtheslowtouchofafrozenfingertracingoutmyspine，I
showedhimhowthatthisfiguremustbeadeceptionofhissenseofsight；andhowthatfigures，originatingindiseaseofthedelicatenervesthatministertothefunctionsoftheeye，wereknowntohaveoftentroubledpatients，someofwhomhadbecomeconsciousofthenatureoftheiraffliction，andhadevenproveditbyexperimentsuponthemselves。\"Astoanimaginarycry，\"saidI，\"dobutlistenforamomenttothewindinthisunnaturalvalleywhilewespeaksolow，andtothewildharpitmakesofthetelegraphwires。\"
Thatwasallverywell，hereturned，afterwehadsatlisteningforawhile，andheoughttoknowsomethingofthewindandthewires，——
hewhosooftenpassedlongwinternightsthere，aloneandwatching。
Buthewouldbegtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iaskedhispardon，andheslowlyaddedthesewords，touchingmyarm，-
\"WithinsixhoursaftertheAppearance，thememorableaccidentonthisLinehappened，andwithintenhoursthedeadandwoundedwerebroughtalongthroughthetunneloverthespotwherethefigurehadstood。\"
Adisagreeableshuddercreptoverme，butIdidmybestagainstit。
Itwasnottobedenied，Irejoined，thatthiswasaremarkablecoincidence，calculateddeeplytoimpresshismind。Butitwasunquestionablethatremarkablecoincidencesdidcontinuallyoccur，andtheymustbetakenintoaccountindealingwithsuchasubject。
ThoughtobesureImustadmit，Iadded（forIthoughtIsawthathewasgoingtobringtheobjectiontobearuponme），menofcommonsensedidnotallowmuchforcoincidencesinmakingtheordinarycalculationsoflife。
Heagainbeggedtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iagainbeggedhispardonforbeingbetrayedintointerruptions。
\"This，\"hesaid，againlayinghishanduponmyarm，andglancingoverhisshoulderwithholloweyes，\"wasjustayearago。Sixorsevenmonthspassed，andIhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseandshock，whenonemorning，asthedaywasbreaking，I，standingatthedoor，lookedtowardstheredlight，andsawthespectreagain。\"Hestopped，withafixedlookatme。
\"Diditcryout？\"
\"No。Itwassilent。\"
\"Diditwaveitsarm？\"
\"No。Itleanedagainsttheshaftofthelight，withbothhandsbeforetheface。Likethis。\"
OncemoreIfollowedhisactionwithmyeyes。Itwasanactionofmourning。Ihaveseensuchanattitudeinstonefiguresontombs。
\"Didyougouptoit？\"
\"Icameinandsatdown，partlytocollectmythoughts，partlybecauseithadturnedmefaint。WhenIwenttothedooragain，daylightwasaboveme，andtheghostwasgone。\"
\"Butnothingfollowed？Nothingcameofthis？\"
Hetouchedmeonthearmwithhisforefingertwiceorthricegivingaghastlynodeachtime：-
\"Thatveryday，asatraincameoutofthetunnel，Inoticed，atacarriagewindowonmyside，whatlookedlikeaconfusionofhandsandheads，andsomethingwaved。Isawitjustintimetosignalthedriver，Stop！Heshutoff，andputhisbrakeon，butthetraindriftedpasthereahundredandfiftyyardsormore。Iranafterit，and，asIwentalong，heardterriblescreamsandcries。A
beautifulyoungladyhaddiedinstantaneouslyinoneofthecompartments，andwasbroughtinhere，andlaiddownonthisfloorbetweenus。\"
InvoluntarilyIpushedmychairback，asIlookedfromtheboardsatwhichhepointedtohimself。
\"True，sir。True。Preciselyasithappened，soItellityou。\"
Icouldthinkofnothingtosay，toanypurpose，andmymouthwasverydry。Thewindandthewirestookupthestorywithalonglamentingwail。
Heresumed。\"Now，sir，markthis，andjudgehowmymindistroubled。Thespectrecamebackaweekago。Eversince，ithasbeenthere，nowandagain，byfitsandstarts。\"
\"Atthelight？\"
\"AttheDanger-light。\"
\"Whatdoesitseemtodo？\"
Herepeated，ifpossiblewithincreasedpassionandvehemence，thatformergesticulationof，\"ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！\"
Thenhewenton。\"Ihavenopeaceorrestforit。Itcallstome，formanyminutestogether，inanagonisedmanner，’Belowthere！
Lookout！Lookout！’Itstandswavingtome。Itringsmylittlebell——\"
Icaughtatthat。\"DiditringyourbellyesterdayeveningwhenI
washere，andyouwenttothedoor？\"
\"Twice。\"
\"Why，see，\"saidI，\"howyourimaginationmisleadsyou。Myeyeswereonthebell，andmyearswereopentothebell，andifIamalivingman，itdidNOTringatthosetimes。No，noratanyothertime，exceptwhenitwasrunginthenaturalcourseofphysicalthingsbythestationcommunicatingwithyou。\"
Heshookhishead。\"Ihavenevermadeamistakeastothatyet，sir。
Ihaveneverconfusedthespectre’sringwiththeman’s。Theghost’sringisastrangevibrationinthebellthatitderivesfromnothingelse，andIhavenotassertedthatthebellstirstotheeye。Idon’twonderthatyoufailedtohearit。ButIheardit。\"
\"Anddidthespectreseemtobethere，whenyoulookedout？\"
\"ItWASthere。\"’
\"Bothtimes？\"
Herepeatedfirmly：\"Bothtimes。\"
\"Willyoucometothedoorwithme，andlookforitnow？\"
Hebithisunderlipasthoughheweresomewhatunwilling，butarose。Iopenedthedoor，andstoodonthestep，whilehestoodinthedoorway。TherewastheDanger-light。Therewasthedismalmouthofthetunnel。Therewerethehigh，wetstonewallsofthecutting。Therewerethestarsabovethem。
\"Doyouseeit？\"Iaskedhim，takingparticularnoteofhisface。
Hiseyeswereprominentandstrained，butnotverymuchmoreso，perhaps，thanmyownhadbeenwhenIhaddirectedthemearnestlytowardsthesamespot。
\"No，\"heanswered。\"Itisnotthere。\"
\"Agreed，\"saidI。
Wewentinagain，shutthedoor，andresumedourseats。Iwasthinkinghowbesttoimprovethisadvantage，ifitmightbecalledone，whenhetookuptheconversationinsuchamatter-of-courseway，soassumingthattherecouldbenoseriousquestionoffactbetweenus，thatIfeltmyselfplacedintheweakestofpositions。
\"Bythistimeyouwillfullyunderstand，sir，\"hesaid，\"thatwhattroublesmesodreadfullyisthequestion，Whatdoesthespectremean？\"
Iwasnotsure，Itoldhim，thatIdidfullyunderstand。
\"Whatisitswarningagainst？\"hesaid，ruminating，withhiseyesonthefire，andonlybytimesturningthemonme。\"Whatisthedanger？Whereisthedanger？ThereisdangeroverhangingsomewhereontheLine。Somedreadfulcalamitywillhappen。Itisnottobedoubtedthisthirdtime，afterwhathasgonebefore。Butsurelythisisacruelhauntingofme。WhatcanIdo？\"
Hepulledouthishandkerchief，andwipedthedropsfromhisheatedforehead。
\"IfItelegraphDanger，oneithersideofme，oronboth，Icangivenoreasonforit，\"hewenton，wipingthepalmsofhishands。\"I
shouldgetintotrouble，anddonogood。TheywouldthinkIwasmad。Thisisthewayitwouldwork，——Message：’Danger！Takecare！’Answer：’WhatDanger？Where？’Message：’Don’tknow。
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。\"
\"O，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。
THEHAUNTEDHOUSE
CHAPTERI——THEMORTALSINTHEHOUSE
Undernoneoftheaccreditedghostlycircumstances，andenvironedbynoneoftheconventionalghostlysurroundings，didIfirstmakeacquaintancewiththehousewhichisthesubjectofthisChristmaspiece。Isawitinthedaylight，withthesunuponit。Therewasnowind，norain，nolightning，nothunder，noawfulorunwontedcircumstance，ofanykind，toheightenitseffect。Morethanthat：
Ihadcometoitdirectfromarailwaystation：itwasnotmorethanamiledistantfromtherailwaystation；and，asIstoodoutsidethehouse，lookingbackuponthewayIhadcome，Icouldseethegoodstrainrunningsmoothlyalongtheembankmentinthevalley。
Iwillnotsaythateverythingwasutterlycommonplace，becauseI
doubtifanythingcanbethat，excepttoutterlycommonplacepeople——
andtheremyvanitystepsin；but，IwilltakeitonmyselftosaythatanybodymightseethehouseasIsawit，anyfineautumnmorning。
Themannerofmylightingonitwasthis。
IwastravellingtowardsLondonoutoftheNorth，intendingtostopbytheway，tolookatthehouse。Myhealthrequiredatemporaryresidenceinthecountry；andafriendofminewhoknewthat，andwhohadhappenedtodrivepastthehouse，hadwrittentometosuggestitasalikelyplace。Ihadgotintothetrainatmidnight，andhadfallenasleep，andhadwokeupandhadsatlookingoutofwindowatthebrilliantNorthernLightsinthesky，andhadfallenasleepagain，andhadwokeupagaintofindthenightgone，withtheusualdiscontentedconvictiononmethatIhadn’tbeentosleepatall；——uponwhichquestion，inthefirstimbecilityofthatcondition，IamashamedtobelievethatIwouldhavedonewagerbybattlewiththemanwhosatoppositeme。Thatoppositemanhadhad，throughthenight——asthatoppositemanalwayshas——severallegstoomany，andallofthemtoolong。Inadditiontothisunreasonableconduct（whichwasonlytobeexpectedofhim），hehadhadapencilandapocket-book，andhadbeenperpetuallylisteningandtakingnotes。Ithadappearedtomethattheseaggravatingnotesrelatedtothejoltsandbumpsofthecarriage，andIshouldhaveresignedmyselftohistakingthem，underageneralsuppositionthathewasinthecivil-engineeringwayoflife，ifhehadnotsatstaringstraightovermyheadwheneverhelistened。Hewasagoggle-eyedgentlemanofaperplexedaspect，andhisdemeanourbecameunbearable。
Itwasacold，deadmorning（thesunnotbeingupyet），andwhenI
hadout-watchedthepalinglightofthefiresoftheironcountry，andthecurtainofheavysmokethathungatoncebetweenmeandthestarsandbetweenmeandtheday，Iturnedtomyfellow-travellerandsaid：
\"IBEGyourpardon，sir，butdoyouobserveanythingparticularinme\"？For，really，heappearedtobetakingdown，eithermytravelling-capormyhair，withaminutenessthatwasaliberty。
Thegoggle-eyedgentlemanwithdrewhiseyesfrombehindme，asifthebackofthecarriagewereahundredmilesoff，andsaid，withaloftylookofcompassionformyinsignificance：
\"Inyou，sir？——B。\"
\"B，sir？\"saidI，growingwarm。
\"Ihavenothingtodowithyou，sir，\"returnedthegentleman；\"prayletmelisten——O。\"
Heenunciatedthisvowelafterapause，andnoteditdown。
AtfirstIwasalarmed，foranExpresslunaticandnocommunicationwiththeguard，isaseriousposition。ThethoughtcametomyreliefthatthegentlemanmightbewhatispopularlycalledaRapper：oneofasectfor（someof）whomIhavethehighestrespect，butwhomIdon’tbelievein。Iwasgoingtoaskhimthequestion，whenhetookthebreadoutofmymouth。
\"Youwillexcuseme，\"saidthegentlemancontemptuously，\"ifIamtoomuchinadvanceofcommonhumanitytotroublemyselfatallaboutit。Ihavepassedthenight——asindeedIpassthewholeofmytimenow——inspiritualintercourse。\"
\"O！\"saidI，somewhatsnappishly。