In 1876, a family consisting of a husband, wife, and their daughter, Bessie, move into a new house. Shortly after settling in, Bessie expresses discomfort with their house-parlourmaid, Jane, claiming she feels watched. The mother dismisses Bessie's concerns until Jane herself approaches, stating she feels similarly observed, suspecting Bessie of spying on her. This mutual suspicion leads to confusion and tension within the household. Bessie later claims to have seen a mysterious woman with red hair watching her through a mirror, which unsettles her. The mother, initially skeptical, spends the night with Bessie for comfort. The next day, Jane insists that it is indeed a red-haired girl who is spying on her, further complicating the situation. The mother tries to rationalize the occurrences, suggesting Jane may be hallucinating. As the days pass, both Bessie and Jane report further sightings of the red-haired girl, who seems to appear and disappear without a trace. The mother remains perplexed, suspecting that the girl may be a ghost or a figment of their imaginations. The cook, a reserved woman, becomes increasingly evasive when questioned about the girl, raising further suspicions. The situation escalates when the husband encounters the red-haired girl in his study, leading him to demand her dismissal. The mother, now convinced of the girl's existence, is left to ponder the nature of the apparition. One day, while in the kitchen, the mother finally sees the girl, who panics and runs away, confirming the family's fears. The climax occurs when a fire breaks out in the kitchen, severely injuring the cook. In her delirium, the cook reveals that the red-haired girl was once her kitchen maid, whom she had scalded in a fit of rage. The cook believes the girl has haunted her since her death, seeking revenge for the past. Ultimately, the cook succumbs to her injuries, and the red-haired girl is said to have vanished for good, leaving the family to grapple with the haunting legacy of their home and the tragic events that unfolded within it. The story explores themes of guilt, the supernatural, and the consequences of one's actions, culminating in a chilling resolution that leaves the family forever changed.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1920 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery