A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS By Dr M. R. JAMES PROVOST OF ETON GHOST STORIES OF AN ANTIQUARY 5s. net. MORE GHOST STORIES 5s. net. A THIN GHOST AND OTHERS 4s. 6d. net. THE FIVE JARS With Illustrations. 6s. net. LONDON: EDWARD ARNOLD & CO. A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS and other Ghost Stories BY MONTAGUE RHODES JAMES Author of “Ghost Stories of an Antiquary,” etc. LONDON EDWARD ARNOLD & CO. 1925 [_All rights reserved_] MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE EDINBURGH PRESS, 9 AND 11 YOUNG STREET, EDINBURGH. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The first of these stories was written for the library of the Queen’s Doll’s House, and was printed in the Book thereof; I gratefully acknowledge the gracious permission granted by Her Majesty to have it reprinted in this volume. For like permissions from the editors of the _Atlantic Monthly_, _Empire Review_, _London Mercury_, and _Eton Chronic_ I return thanks. M. R. JAMES. _September 1925._ CONTENTS PAGE THE HAUNTED DOLL’S HOUSE 9 THE UNCOMMON PRAYER-BOOK 35 A NEIGHBOUR’S LANDMARK 70 A VIEW FROM A HILL 97 A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS 138 AN EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT 176 THE HAUNTED DOLL’S HOUSE. “I suppose you get stuff of that kind through your hands pretty often?” said Mr Dillet, as he pointed with his stick to an object which shall be described when the time comes: and when he said it, he lied in his throat, and knew that he lied. Not once in twenty years--perhaps not once in a lifetime--could Mr Chittenden, skilled as he was in ferreting out the forgotten treasures of half-a-dozen counties, expect to handle such a specimen. It was collectors’ palaver, and Mr Chittenden recognised it as such. “Stuff of that kind, Mr Dillet! It’s a museum piece, that is.” “Well, I suppose there are museums that’ll take anything.” “I’ve seen one, not as good as that, years back,” said Mr Chittenden, thoughtfully. “But that’s not likely to come into the market: and I’m told they ’ave some fine ones of the period over the water. No: I’m only telling you the truth, Mr Dillet, when I say that if you was to place an unlimited order with me for the very best that could be got--and you know I ’ave facilities for getting to know of such things, and a reputation to maintain--well, all I can say is, I should lead you straight up to that one and say, ‘I can’t do no better for you than that, Sir.’” “Hear, hear!” said Mr Dillet, applauding ironically with the end of his stick on the floor of the shop. “How much are you sticking the innocent American buyer for it, eh?”