The story revolves around a young antiquarian who purchases an old scrapbook from a dealer in second-hand books. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings and other documents related to the history of a local church, particularly its connection to a mysterious figure named Canon Alberic. As the protagonist delves deeper into the scrapbook's contents, he becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth about the church's past. He discovers that the church has been the site of numerous strange occurrences and unexplained events throughout history. The story builds towards a climactic confrontation between the protagonist and a malevolent force that has been awakened by his meddling. The ending is a classic example of James' style, with a sense of inevitability and a hint of supernatural horror.
By M.R. James · First published 1910 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Supernatural Fiction