A solicitor visits a forensic expert to discuss the peculiar case of Fred Calverley, a young man exhibiting signs of mental distress after a series of traumatic events, including a railway accident and a storm at sea. Calverley believes he is being followed and has experienced strange delusions, including seeing himself with a different face. The solicitor reveals that Calverley purchased a pendant featuring a large pearl in Marseilles, which he later learns is of significant value. The pendant's history is tied to a tragic tale involving a murdered Chinese mandarin, whose spirit seems to haunt Calverley. Calverley recounts his experiences, including a vision of the mandarin in a mirror, which leads him to believe he is cursed. He becomes increasingly anxious, feeling compelled to return the pearl to the mandarin's family. After several unsettling encounters with the mandarin's apparition, Calverley decides to dispose of the pearl by throwing it into the river, hoping to rid himself of the curse. However, the narrative takes a dark turn when Calverley is found dead, having hanged himself in his room. The investigation reveals that his cousin Alfred and Captain Raggerton conspired to drive him to madness and suicide, motivated by financial gain from a will favoring Alfred. They used a trick involving a mirror to create the illusion of the mandarin's ghost, manipulating Calverley's fragile mental state. The forensic expert, upon discovering the truth, regrets not intervening to prevent Calverley's tragic fate. The story concludes with the revelation of the sinister plot, leaving a lingering sense of tragedy and the consequences of greed and manipulation.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural Fiction