In a small town, a notorious bully named Larkin terrorizes the community with his brute strength and pugilistic skills. He revels in provoking fights, leaving his opponents battered and broken. Among those he targets is a young man named Ned Moran, who, despite his slender build, possesses a spirited nature. Larkin's jealousy over Ned's affection for a local woman leads to a brutal confrontation. During a public fight, Larkin easily overpowers Ned, inflicting severe injuries that leave him incapacitated. Although Ned survives the initial beating, he succumbs to illness shortly after, leaving the town to mourn his loss. Larkin, however, continues his life, seemingly unaffected by the consequences of his actions, even prospering in his job. Three years later, Larkin experiences a sudden and debilitating stroke while walking home one night. Afterward, he recounts a chilling encounter with a ghostly figure resembling Ned, who approaches him in a menacing manner. This spectral vision leaves Larkin in a state of terror, and he believes it to be a challenge from the dead man. As Larkin's health deteriorates, he becomes a beggar, haunted by the memory of his violent past and the supernatural encounter. He interprets the apparition as a foreboding sign of his fate, convinced that he is destined for hell. The townspeople believe in the reality of Larkin's haunting, viewing it as a fitting retribution for his cruel actions. Ultimately, Larkin dies, buried alongside his victim, leaving behind a legacy of fear and a cautionary tale about the consequences of brutality.
By J. Sheridan Le Fanu · First published 1864 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Drama