No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince
In May 1886, the narrator arrives in Paris and seeks out an old friend, Eugene Marie d'Ardeche, who has inherited a mysterious property from his late aunt, Mlle. Blaye de Tartas. The aunt was rumored to have engaged in occult practices, and her estate is coveted by a notorious sorcerer, Sar Torrevieja. The house at 252 Rue M. le Prince is described as sinister and uninhabitable, with a reputation for driving tenants away due to unexplained horrors. Eugene reveals that the house is haunted, though no one knows how. Despite the fear surrounding it, he plans to spend a night there with the narrator and two doctors, Fargeau and Duchesne, to uncover the mystery. They discuss the house's dark history, including the annual gatherings that occur on Walpurgisnacht, which are marked by strange music and veiled figures. On the night of their investigation, the group enters the house, which is eerily quiet and filled with an unsettling atmosphere. They explore various rooms, including those that were once used for occult rituals, revealing bizarre and terrifying decor. As the night progresses, the narrator begins to feel an overwhelming sense of dread and fatigue, leading to a terrifying experience where he becomes paralyzed by an unseen force. In a state of near-death, he perceives a horrifying entity with glowing eyes that suffocates him. Just as he succumbs to this terror, he is rescued by his friends, who break down the door and find him in a state of distress. They rush him to the hospital, where he learns that the house has burned down, erasing the source of the haunting. The story concludes with the narrator reflecting on the events and the lingering legends of the now-destroyed house, suggesting that the tales of its dark past will endure in the memories of the Latin Quarter.
By Ralph Adams Cram · First published 1910 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Occult Fiction · 7,846 words
First lines
When in May, 1886, I found myself at last in Paris, I naturally determined to throw myself on the charity of an old chum of mine, Eugene Marie d'Ardeche, who had forsaken Boston a year or more ago on receiving word of the death of an aunt who had left him such property as she possessed. I fancy this windfall surprised him not a little, for the relations between the aunt and nephew had never been cordial, judging from Eugene's remarks touching the lady, who was, it seems, a more or less wicked and witch-like old person, with a penchant for black magic, at least such was the common report.
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No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ralph Adams Cram, dated 1910 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ralph Adams Cram
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Occult Fiction, Mystery, Literary Fiction
- Length: 7,846 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Horror — The story revolves around supernatural elements, including a haunted house and themes of fear and the unknown.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting features dark, eerie locations and explores themes of the macabre, typical of Gothic literature.
- Occult Fiction — The narrative includes references to black magic, occult practices, and a sorcerer, central to the plot.
- Mystery — The story involves uncovering the mystery of the haunted house and the strange occurrences surrounding it.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Horror · Supernatural · Mystery · Thriller · Dark Fantasy · Atmospheric Setting · Isolated Location · Small Town · Paranormal Activity · Unsettling Atmosphere · Sense of Dread