The narrative follows a man who, after achieving financial stability in Australia, returns to England with the intention of renting a country house, ultimately settling on an old manor named Fernwood. The protagonist is intrigued by the property, which has a peculiar layout and a history of short-term tenants. Upon moving in with his wife, they encounter strange occurrences, particularly involving a shadowy figure on the leads of the roof. One night, after hearing a disturbance, the protagonist investigates and sees a shadowy arm reaching for a window latch. Despite his initial belief that a burglar is attempting to enter, he finds nothing upon climbing out onto the leads. The situation escalates when a group of frightened servants claims to have seen a woman in tattered garments running along the roof. The protagonist's attempts to rationalize the phenomenon lead him to believe it may be a branch blown by the wind, but the fear among the household persists. The protagonist consults a local mason, who suggests that the shadow was indeed caused by a branch. However, the protagonist's wife remains unconvinced, and the servants express their desire to leave the house due to the haunting. The protagonist decides to move the servants to a different wing of the house to alleviate their fears. As winter approaches, the protagonist discovers water damage in the house, prompting him to visit the owner, Mr. Framett. During their conversation, Mr. Framett reveals that the house has a dark history involving his great-aunt, who was mentally unstable and had died under mysterious circumstances after escaping to the roof. This revelation ties the haunting to the tragic past of the family. Ultimately, the protagonist decides to purchase Fernwood after the west wing, where the disturbances originated, is accidentally burned down during repairs. With the leads no longer accessible, the haunting ceases, and the protagonist finds peace in his new home. The story explores themes of fear, the supernatural, and the impact of history on the present.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1895 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Horror