The Leather Funnel by Arthur Conan Doyle (1902)
Tuesday’s Tale of Terror April 1, 2013
Cartoon art from PUNCH of AC Doyle chained to his fictional creation, Holmes.
The Leather Funnel
Picture yourself in Paris, a house guest at the home of Lionel Dacre. The house, walled with grey tiles stained with lichens and mildew, has a library filled with books on magic and psychic matters, and what else … eccentric items of display, specifically a large leather funnel, brass rimmed, black and discolored with faded letters—likely from the Middle Ages.
In The Leather Funnel, Dacre insists that his house guest sleep with the leather funnel by his head. This is based on the idea that we can receive important information through dreaming. Dacre tells his guest, “You are yourself a psychic subject—with nerves which respond readily to any impression.” Dacre believes this old funnel might enlighten the dreamer of its origin, use, and history.
The science of dreams is new to this house guest; doubts prevail, but he agrees to the experiment. So, after the smoldering firelight goes out, the supernatural dream begins.
I must tell you this dream is so frightening, that I couldn’t read fast enough. The tension and descriptions were so compelling that I had to slow down if I wanted to truly savor the images, the haunting fear, and what is the most grisly revelation.
Do you think dreams create supernatural events?
Read it here at East of the Web:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LeaFun.shtml
Or listen to a podcast of the story on YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVC4JcnNg0M
Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House is another you’ll find absolutely chilling as nightmares blur into reality (link is on this site in November’s blog).
Stop by next Tuesday for another Tale of Terror.
Comments, please!
Pingback: Devil in a Teapot | Paula Cappa
I’m having a good time discovering these stories as well, Christa. Next week I’m featuring French zombies. Your comment is appreciated–I love the snappy tone. You must be a writer yourself!
LikeLike
Thank you for another great Tuesday post! YOU are the funnel for me that opens my world to great stories I would otherwise never know about!! Now I always look forward to Tuesday morning’s full of terror!
LikeLike