In Ghostly Company (Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural) by David Stuart Davies, Amyas Northcote Page A

considers that I did him a great wrong, but after all £1000 to a man of his means is certainly more valuable than a little notoriety or, as he would call it, fame. Besides, I greatly question if he, a totally unknown man, could ever have got his, shall I call it, discovery recognised by people of standing; it was far too revolutionary, and needed someone recognised as an authority to bring it forward. At the time of the York interview he failed to notice this point, any more than he would agree that, if I had not come to his help in Fialo and seen him through his illness, he would probably have died and his secret have died with him and been lost to the world. He is a most unreasonable fellow, and a mischief maker; I think I came well out of my encounter with him.
    July 10th . On picking up Times this morning, I noticed in the obituary column the death of James Bradshaw, assistant master at — School in Yorkshire. He died on the eighth, so there goes Bradshaw into nothingness. For a moment I confess to a slight feeling of regret for the man, but it passed quickly; he was an enemy of mine, though an impotent one, and it is better that he should have gone. While I fail to see how he could have done me harm while alive, yet it is certain he can do me none now that he is dead.
    A most extraordinary and rather perturbing hallucination occurred this evening. I was dining alone at my usual table at the Club, and had nearly finished dinner, when, looking up, I saw James Bradshaw sitting in the chair directly opposite to my seat. He was plainly discernible as he sat quite motionless gazing at me with a diabolical grin and, save that he looked several years older, he was exactly as when I last saw him at York. I looked at him for a minute, then impelled by a sudden emotion and forgetful of the Times notice I rose from my chair, and moved round towards him. He did not stir until I was close upon him, and then – he simply was not there. I leaned against the table feeling sick and faint and when the waiter came to my side I sent for some brandy. This revived me, but I have told the man never to leave an empty chair opposite me again. The vision was so clear, and the appearance of the figure so menacing, that I feel unnerved. I know it is hallucination, imagination, nonsense; and yet –
    July 11th . My mind must be seriously affected. I slept badly last night, and woke unrefreshed; I have had dreams but I cannot recall them, but all this is nothing to the trouble that has begun to pursue me in my waking hours. James Bradshaw is here in my rooms, he follows me to my Club, he goes with me wherever I go, whether alone or with others. I cannot see him, but I know that he is here, and I constantly hear his voice. He taunts me with what happened at Fialo years ago, something that none but he and I know; he threatens me, he laughs at me. I know that it must be hallucination, but it is horribly vivid. I know that Bradshaw’s body is rotting in the earth, and his spirit dissolved into nothingness, what is it then that tortures me in his form? I have been so maddened that I have answered him back, or is it answering myself back? I do not know; I can only cling to the belief that it is some bodily derangement. Dr Bessford returns from his holiday tomorrow, and I will seek help from him. I can go to no stranger. It is now past one o’clock in the morning, and I have been walking to and fro, and wrestling with James Bradshaw for hours. I must rest, I must rest, but sleep, oh, my dreams will murder sleep!
    July 12th . After a hideous night, I went early to see Dr Bessford. He tells me after careful examination that physically he can find nothing wrong with me, but that mentally I appear to be over-stimulated. I must rest. What farcical nonsense! While he was actually saying the words, Bradshaw was whispering in my ear: ‘Your soul is given to me.’ What shall I do? What can I do? Bessford has given me a sleeping draught; I will try and see if