Number 13 (short story)
| "Number 13" | |
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| Author | M.R. James |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Horror short story |
"Number 13" is the fifth story in the first collection of ghost stories published by M. R. James, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.
Synopsis
While researching church history in Viborg, Denmark, the narrator's cousin stays in a Danish inn. While staying in room Number 12, he notices that his room seems to grow smaller and his furniture sometimes vanishes. After hearing dancing next door, he assumes it comes from Number 13, however upon discussing the matter with the inn-keep, he learns that there is no Number 13. He asks the inn-keep to visit his room at night. While talking, the protagonist and the inn-keep hear ominous singing in the room next door. They check Number 14, but learn that its occupant thought it was them, then they find the "nonexistent" door to Number 13. A clawed hand attacks them, and they attempt to bust down the door but break through the plaster wall. The occupants of 12 and 14 spend the night in a double bedded room. The narrator meets his cousin a few months later, and relates the tale to him.[1]
References
External links
The full text of Number 13 at Wikisource- Full text of "Number 13"
- A Podcast to the Curious: Episode 5 - Number 13