In a quaint Danish town, a researcher named Anderson arrives at a historic hotel, the Golden Lion, to study church history. He is intrigued by the absence of a room numbered 13, a common superstition in hotels. After settling into his chosen room, he experiences a series of unsettling events, including a mysterious encounter with a room he believes to be 13, despite the landlord's insistence that it does not exist. As Anderson delves into his research, he uncovers documents related to a controversial figure, Mag Nicolas Francken, who was rumored to have engaged in dark arts. His investigation leads him to question the nature of reality as he begins to doubt his own perceptions, particularly regarding the existence of room 13. He becomes increasingly anxious, especially after hearing strange noises from the adjacent room, which he believes to be occupied by a man. One night, the sounds escalate into a horrifying cacophony, prompting Anderson and another guest, a lawyer named Jensen, to confront the source of the disturbance. They discover that the door to room 13 is locked and seemingly impervious to their attempts to break in. When they finally manage to force the door, it vanishes, revealing only a blank wall where it once stood. The next day, the landlord and staff investigate the area where room 13 had been. They find a hidden copper box containing a mysterious document, hinting at the dark history of the hotel and its connection to Francken. The document's contents remain indecipherable, leaving Anderson and Jensen puzzled but relieved to have escaped the strange occurrences. Ultimately, the story explores themes of superstition, the unknown, and the thin line between reality and illusion, culminating in a chilling reminder of the past's lingering presence.
By M.R. James · First published 1895 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Mystery