In a remote area of agricultural England, a shepherd and his family celebrate the christening of their daughter in their isolated cottage. The night is stormy, and while the guests enjoy the festivities, a stranger arrives, seeking shelter from the rain. He is a man of dark complexion, dressed in worn clothing, who quickly integrates into the gathering, sharing in the merriment and asking for tobacco. As the party continues, another stranger arrives, this one jovial and well-dressed, seeking refuge from the downpour. He is welcomed, and the two strangers share a drink, while the guests remain unaware of the tension brewing beneath the surface. The first stranger, who has been singing ominous songs, is revealed to be an executioner, while the second stranger is a hangman, both unaware of the true nature of their company. A third stranger, a small, timid man, appears at the door, visibly terrified upon seeing the hangman. He quickly flees, prompting the guests to speculate about his identity. The atmosphere shifts as the sound of a gunshot is heard, signaling a prisoner's escape from the nearby jail. The hangman, realizing the escaped prisoner may be the frightened man, urges the guests to pursue him. The group sets out into the night, lanterns in hand, but their search proves fruitless. Meanwhile, the hangman and the executioner return to the cottage, revealing their true identities to the remaining guests. The hangman, confident in his authority, insists on capturing the escaped prisoner, while the executioner expresses indifference. Eventually, the search party stumbles upon the escaped prisoner, who is revealed to be the brother of the hangman. The brother explains that he had come to bid farewell to his sibling before the execution. The hangman, realizing the gravity of the situation, decides to let his brother go, acknowledging the bond of family over duty. As the night progresses, the guests return to the cottage, where they recount the events. The hangman and executioner leave, and the shepherd's family is left to ponder the strange occurrences of the night. The story concludes with the fate of the hangman and the escaped prisoner remaining uncertain, leaving a lasting impression on the community and solidifying the events of that night in local lore.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Mystery