Yog Sothothery - The Definitive H.P. Lovecraft Anthology

by H. P. Lovecraft

  Chapter 1

  In the spring of 1847, the little village of Ruralville was thrown into a state of excitement by the arrival of a strange brig in the harbour. It carried no flag, and everything about it was such as would excite suspicion. It had no name. Its captain was named Manuel Ruello. The excitement increased however when John Griggs disappeared from his home. This was Oct. 4. On Oct. 5 the brig was gone.

  Chapter 2

  The brig, in leaving, was met by a U.S. Frigate and a sharp fight ensued. When over, they* missed a man named Henry Johns.

  *(The Frigate.)

  Chapter 3

  The brig continued its course in the direction of Madagascar. Upon its arrival, the natives fled in all directions. When they came together on the other side of the island, one was missing. His name was Dahabea.

  Chapter 4

  At length it was decided that something must be done. A reward of £5,000 was offered for the capture of Manuel Ruello. When startling news came, a nameless brig was wrecked on the Florida Keys.

  Chapter 5

  A ship was sent to Florida, and the mystery was solved. In the excitement of the fight they would launch a sub-marine boat and take what they wanted. There it lay, tranquilly rocking on the waters of the Atlantic when someone called out, “John Brown has dissapeared.” And sure enough John Brown was gone.

  Chapter 6

  The finding of the sub-marine boat, and the disappearance of John Brown, caused renewed excitement amongst the people, when a new discovery was made. In transcribing this discovery it is necessary to relate a geographical fact. At the N. Pole there exists a vast continent composed of volcanic soil, a portion of which is open to explorers. It is called “No-Mans Land”.

  Chapter 7

  In the extreme southern part of No-Mans Land, there was found a hut, and several other signs of human habitation. They promptly entered, and, chained to the floor, lay Griggs, Johns, and Dahabea. They, upon arriving in London, separated, Griggs going to Ruralville, Johns to the Frigate, and Dahabea to Madagascar.

  Chapter 8

  But the mystery of John Brown was still unsolved, so they kept strict watch over the port at No-Mans Land, and when the sub-marine boat arrived, and the pirates, one by one, and headed by Manuel Ruello, left the ship, they were met by a rapid fire. After the fight Brown was recovered.

  Chapter 9

  Griggs was royally received at Ruralville, and a dinner was given in honour of Henry Johns, Dahabea was made King of Madagascar, and Brown was made Captain of his ship.

  THE END.

  The Mysterious Ship (long version)

  Long Version

  By Anonymus

  Chapter I

  In the Spring of 1847, the little village of Ruralville was thrown into a state of excitement by the landing of a strange brig in the harbour. It carried no flag, and no name was painted on its side, and everything about it was such as would excite suspicion. It was from Tripoli, Africa, and the captain was named Manuel Ruello. The excitement increased, however, when John Griggs (the magnate of the village) suddenly disappeared from his home. This was the night of October 4th—on October 5th the brig left.

  Chapter II

  It was 8 bells on the U.S. Frigate “Constitution” when Commander Farragut sighted a strange brig to the westward. It carried no flag, and no name was painted on its side, and everything about it was such as would excite suspicion. On hailing it put up the Pirates Flag. Farragut ordered a gun fired and no sooner did he fire, than the pirate ship gave them a broadside. When the fight was over Commander Farragut missed one man named Henry F. Johns.

  Chapter III

  It was Summer on the Island of Madagascar. And Natives were picking corn, when one cried “Companions! I sight a ship! with no flag and with no name printed on the side and with everything about it such as would excite Suspicion!” And the Natives fled in all directions. When they came together on the other side of the Island, one was missing his name was Dahabea.

  Chapter IV

  At length it was decided something must be done. Notes were compared. Three abductions were found to have taken place. Disappearance of John Griggs, Henry John, and Dahabea, were recalled. Finally advertisements were issued offering £5000 reward for the capture of Manuel Ruello, ship, prisoners, and crew. When exciting news reached London! An unknown brig with no name was wrecked of the Florida Keys in America!

  Chapter V

  The people hurried to Florida and beheld—— A steel spindle-shaped object lay placidly on the water beside the shattered wreck of the brig. “A submarine boat!” shouted one. “Yes!” shouted another. “The mystery is cleared,” said a wise-looking man. “In the excitement of the fight they launch the submarine boat and take as many as they wish, unseen. And——” “John Brown has disappeared!” shouted a voice from the deck. Sure enough John Brown was gone!

  Chapter VI

  The finding of the submarine boat and the disappearance of John Brown caused renewed excitement among the people, and a new discovery was made. In relating this discovery it is necessary to relate a geographical fact:— At the North Pole there is supposed to exist a vast continent composed of volcanic soil, a portion is open to travellers and explorers, but it is barren and unfruitful, and thus absolutely impassable. It is called “No-Mans Land”.

  Chapter VII

  In the extreme southern part of No-Mans Land there was found a wharf and a hut and every sign of former human habitation. A rusty door-plate was nailed to the hut inscribed in old English “M. Ruello.” This, then, was the home of Manuel Ruello. The house brought to light a note book belonging to John Griggs, and the log of the “Constitution” taken from Henry Johns, and the Madagascar reaper belong to Dahabea.

  Chapter VIII

  When about to leave, they observed a spring on the side of the hut. They pressed it.—A hole appeared in the side of the hut which they promptly entered. They were in a subterranean cavern, the beach ran down to the edge of a black, murky, sea. On the sea lay a dark oblong object—viz another submarine boat which they entered. There bound to the cabin floor lay Griggs, Johns, and Dahabea, all alive and well. They, when arriving in London, separated, Griggs going to Ruralville, Johns to the Constitution, and Dahabea to Madagascar.

  Chapter IX

  But the mystery of John Brown lay still unsolved. So they kept strict watch over the port at No-Mans Land, hoping the submarine boat would arrive. At length, however, it did arrive bearing with it John Brown. They fixed upon the 5th of October for the attack. They ranged along the shore and formed bodies. Finally one by one and headed by Manuel Ruello the pirates left the boat. They were (to their astonishment) met by a rapid fire.

  Chapter X: Conclusion

  The pirates were at length defeated and a search was made for Brown. At length he (the aforesaid Brown) was found. John Gregg was royally received at Ruralville and a dinner was given in honour of Henry Johns, Dahabea was made King of Madagascar, and Manuel Ruello was executed at Newgate Prison.

  The End

  The Mystery of the Grave-Yard

  “A Dead Man’s Revenge” A Detective Story

  Written: circa 1898 - 1899

  First Published: The Shuttered Room and Other Pieces.

  Compiled by August Derleth. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1959, Pages 48–52

  Chapter I: The Burns’s Tomb.

  It was noon in the little village of Mainville, and a sorrowful group of people were standing around the Burns’s Tomb. Joseph Burns was dead. (When dying, he had given the following strange orders:—“Before you put my body in the tomb, drop this ball onto the floor, at a spot marked ‘A’.” He then handed a small golden ball to the rector.) The people greatly regretted his death. After the funeral services were finished, Mr. Dobson (the rector) said, “My friends, I will now gratify the last wishes of the deceased.” So saying, he descended into the tomb (to lay the ball on the spot marked ‘A’). Soon the funeral party began to be impatient, and after a time Mr. Cha’s. Greene
(the Lawyer) descended to make a search. Soon he came up with a frightened face, and said, “Mr. Dobson is not there!”

  Chapter II: Mysterious Mr. Bell.

  It was 3.10 o’clock in the afternoon when the door bell of the Dobson mansion rang loudly, and the servant, on going to the door, found an elderly man, with black hair, and side whiskers. He asked to see Miss Dobson. Upon arriving in her presence he said, “Miss Dobson, I know where your father is, and for £10,000 I will restore him. My name is Mr. Bell.” “Mr. Bell,” said Miss Dobson, “will you excuse me from the room a moment?” “Certainly,” replied Mr Bell. In a short time she returned, and said, “Mr. Bell, I understand you. You have abducted my father, and hold him for a ransom.”

  Chapter III: At The Police Station.

  It was 3.20 o’clock in the afternoon when the telephone bell at the North End Police Station rang furiously, and Gibson, (the telephone Man) inquired what was the matter. “Have found out about father’s disappearance!” a woman’s voice said. “I’m Miss Dobson, and father has been abducted.” “Send King John!” King John was a famous western detective. Just then a man rushed in, and shouted, “Oh! Terrors! Come to the graveyard!”

  Chapter IV: The West Window.

  Now let us return to the Dobson Mansion. Mr. Bell was rather taken aback by Miss Dobson’s plain speaking, but when he recovered his speech he said, “Don’t put it quite so plain, Miss Dobson, for I——” He was interrupted by the entrance of King John, who with a brace of revolvers in his hands, barred all egress by the doorway. But quicker than thought Bell sprang to a west window—and jumped.

  Chapter V: The Secret of the Grave.

  Now let us return to the station house. After the excited visitor had calmed somewhat, he could tell his story straighter. He had seen three men in the graveyard shouting “Bell! Bell! where are you old man!?” and acting very suspiciously. He then followed them, and they entered the Burns’s tomb! He then followed them in and they touched a spring at a point marked ‘A’ and then disappeared.” “I wish king John were here,” said Gibson. “What’s your name?” “John Spratt,” replied the visitor.

  Chapter VI: The Chase for Bell.

  Now let us return to the Dobson Mansion again:—King John was utterly confounded at the sudden movement of Bell, but when he recovered from his surprise, his first thought was of chase. Accordingly, he started in pursuit of the abductor. He tracked him down to the R. R. Station and found to his dismay that he had taken the train for Kent, a large city toward the south, and between which and Mainville there existed no telegraph or telephone. The train had just started!

  Chapter VII: The Negro Hackman.

  The Kent train started at 10.35, and about 10.36 an excited, dusty, and tired man rushed into the Mainville hack office and said to a negro hackman who was standing by the door—“If you can take me to Kent in 15 minutes I will give you a dollar.” “I doan’ see how I’m ter git there,” said the negro, “I hab’n’t got a decent pair of hosses an’ I hab—” “Two dollars!” shouted the traveller. “All right,” said the hackman.

  Chapter VIII: Bell’s Surprise.

  It was 11 o’clock at Kent, all of the stores were closed but one, a dingy, dirty, little shop, down at the west end. It lay between Kent Harbour and the Kent and Mainville R. R. In the front room a shabbily dressed person of doubtful age was conversing with a middle-aged woman with gray hair, “I have agreed to do the job, Lindy,” he said, “Bell will arrive at 11.30 and the carriage is ready to take him down to the wharf, where a ship for Africa sails to-night”.

  “But If King John were to come?” queried Lindy.

  “Then we’d get nabbed, an’ Bell would be hung,” replied the man.

  Just then a rap sounded at the door. “Are you Bell?” inquired Lindy. “Yes,” was the response. “And I caught the 10.35 and King John got left, so we are all right.” At 11.40 the party reached the landing, and saw a ship loom up in the darkness. “The Kehdive of Africa” was painted on the hull, and just as they were to step on board, a man stepped forward in the darkness and said, “John Bell, I arrest you in the Queen’s name!”

  It was King John.

  Chapter IX: The Trial.

  The day of the trial had arrived, and a crowd of people had gathered around the little grove (which served for a court house in summer) to hear the trial of John Bell on the charge of kidnapping. “Mr. Bell,” said the judge, “what is the secret of the Burns’s tomb?”

  “I will tell you this much,” said Bell: “If you go into the tomb and touch a certain spot marked ‘A’ you will find out.”

  “Now where is Mr. Dobson?” queried the judge. “Here!” said a voice behind them, and the figure of Mr. Dobson HIMSELF loomed up in the doorway.

  “How did you get here?” was chorused. “’Tis a long story,” said Dobson.

  Chapter X: Dobson’s Story.

  “When I went down into the tomb,” Said Dobson, “everything was darkness, I could see nothing. But finally I discerned the letter “A” printed in white on the onyx floor, I dropped the ball on the letter, and immediately a trap-door opened and a man sprang up. It was this man, here,” he said (pointing at Bell, who stood trembling on the prisoner’s dock), “and he pulled me down into a brilliantly lighted, and palatial apartment where I have lived until today. One day a young man rushed in and exclaimed, “The secret is revealed!” and was gone. He did not see me. Once Bell left his key behind, and I took the impression in wax, and the next day was spent in filing keys to fit the lock. The next day my key fitted. And the next day (which is today) I escaped.”

  Chapter XI: The Mystery Unveiled.

  “Why did the late J. Burns ask you to put the ball there? (at ‘A’?)” queried the Judge? “To get me into trouble,” replied Dobson. “He, and Francis Burns (his brother), have plotted against me for years, and I knew not, in what way they would harm me.” “Seize Francis Burns!” yelled the Judge.

  Chapter XII: Conclusion.

  Francis Burns, and John Bell, were sent to prison for life. Mr. Dobson was cordially welcomed by his daughter, who, by the way, had become Mrs. King John. Lindy and her accomplice were sent to Newgate for 30 days as aiders and abettors of a criminal escape.

  The End.

  Price 25¢

  The Secret Cave

  “John Lee’s Adventure”

  Written: circa 1898 - 1899

  First Published: The Shuttered Room and Other Pieces.

  Compiled by August Derleth. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1959, Pages 46–47

  “Now be good children,” said Mrs. Lee, “while I am away and don’t get into mischief.” Mr. and Mrs. Lee were going off for the day and to leave the two children John, 10 yrs old, and Alice, 2 yrs old. “Yes,” replied John.

  As Soon as The Elder Lees were away the younger Lees went down cellar and began to rummage among the rubbish. Little Alice leaned against the wall watching John as John was making a boat of barrel staves. The little girl gave a piercing cry as the bricks behind her crumbled away. He rushed up to her and lifted her out screaming loudly. As soon as her screams subsided she said, “The wall went away.” John went up and saw that there was a passage. He said to the little girl, “Lets come and see what this is.” “Yes,” she said. They entered the place. They could stand up it. The passage was farther than they could see. John went back upstairs and went to the kitchen drawer and got 2 candles and some matches, and then they went back to the cellar passage. The two once more entered. There was plastering on the walls, ceiling and floor. Nothing was visible but a box. This was for a seat. Nevertheless they examined it and found it to contain nothing. They walked on farther and pretty soon the plastering left off and they were in a cave. Little Alice was frightened at first but at her brother’s assurance that it was “all right” she allayed her fears. Soon they came to a small box which John took up and carried within. Pretty soon they came on a boat, in it were two oars. He dragged it with difficulty along with him. Soon they found the passage c
ame to an abrupt stop. He pulled the obstacle away and to his dismay water rushed in in torrents. John was an expert swimmer and long breather. He had just taken a breath, so he tried to rise, but with the box and his sister he found it quite impossible. Then he caught sight of the boat rising. He grasped it…

  The next he knew he was on the surface clinging tightly to the body of his sister and the mysterious box. He could not imagine how the water got in, but a new peril menaced them. If the water continued rising it would rise to the top. Suddenly a thought presented itself. He could shut off the water. He speedily did this and lifting the now lifeless body of his sister into the boat, he himself climbed in and sailed down the passage. It was gruesome and uncanny, absolutely dark. His candle being put out by the flood and a dead body lying near, he did not gaze about him, but rowed for his life. When he did look up he was floating in his own cellar. He quickly rushed upstairs with the body, to find his parents had come home. He told them the story.

  * * * * * *

  The funeral of Alice occupied so much time that John quite forgot about the box—but when they did open it they found it to be a solid gold chunk worth about $10,000, enough to pay for any thing but the death of his sister.