Lot No. 249 by Arthur Conan Doyle (A Tale of the Supernatural)

This is an intriguing tale written in 1892 for Harper’s Magazine when the world was seemingly gripped by a fascination for Egyptology (called apparently Egyptomania) and the supernatural. Here the two are combined into a story set in Oxford, more precisely in a turret in the corner of the college quad, occupied by three students and an old comedic (I can’t help it) rustic. All manner of rum things go on, especially on Bellingham’s floor. Not surprisingly there’s a spooky denouement involving some running about, not far removed from the antics of Scooby Doo and his associates. However, more serious connoisseurs of Conan Doyle’s work may find flavours of H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Allen Poe and even, M. R. James. Rudyard Kipling said that this story gave him his first nightmare in years. However for the stouthearted modern listener, who has watched and not been scared by Carry On Screaming it’s all rather good fun and far removed from the darkness to be found in the likes o