The Haunting of Low Fennel

In Short

This collection of suspenseful short stories weaves together eerie tales of supernatural horrors, cryptic local legends, and perilous international intrigues. Ranging from haunted English country estates tormented by strange phenomena to distant Egyptian sands governed by ancient curses and desert sheikhs, each story follows determined investigators, soldiers, and travelers as they confront unexplained forces. The book endures for its blend of classic early twentieth-century atmosphere, vivid uncanny set pieces, and sharp narrative pacing.

The Story

The collection opens at Low Fennel, a quaint English estate extended by a new wing. Major Dale summons his friend Addison to investigate terrifying occurrences after an unearthly entity attacks the household and leaves a dog gravely injured. Inspecting local lore, Addison uncovers the history of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1646 during a heatwave. He theorizes that the phantom manifests only during extreme summer heat. During a midnight watch in the study, a contorted figure creeps through the door, wearing a gold Oriental bangle. Addison quickly douses the lamp as Major Dale collapses from a sudden seizure. In the moonlit hall, Addison glimpses a startled, Bacchante-like silhouette before it vanishes. Weeks later in London, the Major resolves to abandon the house permanently, while Addison reflects on the malevolent vapour that claims the grounds.

The focus shifts to the East in a tale where Major Fayne leads a small expedition through remote terrain. Obsessed by a delusion that enemies or phantom horses are creeping up the path, Fayne frantically questioning his servant Ramsa Lal, who hears nothing. As night falls, Fayne plunges into his tent, leaving his wife Moreen and the camp in tense suspense. Hours later, a creature uttering wild screams bursts into the campfire's glare. It is Fayne, pale and mad, burdened with stolen golden vessels and ropes of rubies. He collapses convulsively at Moreen's feet, crushed by the weight of a cursed treasure.

Mystery takes a detective turn when Secret Service agent East and a doctor friend investigate the sudden murder of Sir Jeffrey Baird near Black Gap. Sir Jeffrey had been carrying a recently purchased blue porcelain ape. East meticulously analyzes the muddy ground, discovering that the killer used the heavy china image and two walking sticks as stepping stones to avoid leaving footmarks. By retrieving a broken ebony cane ferrule and matching it to Sir Jeffrey's Greek secretary, Mr. Damopolon, East exposes the murderer.

Subsequent stories plunge into ancient family secrets and romantic entanglements. At Ragstaff, visitors untangle a puzzling riddle involving secret passages, a mysterious iron-bound chest marked with a skull, and covert nocturnal photography. At Hollow Grange, young Jack Dillon arrives to find the house shadowed by fear and dominated by Dr. Kassimere's strange studies, alongside a enchanting young woman named Phryné who draws suitors into madness. In Egypt, a traveler named Saville Grainger buys a lapis-lazuli heart in Cairo, falling under a hypnotic spell that draws him away from modern life toward an inescapable destiny in the desert. Finally, Eileen Graham accepts an ancient turquoise necklace from an enigmatic old pedlar, prompting a frantic rescue across the Arabian sand when brigands strike, only to reveal the pedlar as a powerful desert sheikh watching over them.

How It Unfolds

The phantom of the new wing Major Dale guides Addison to the newly expanded Low Fennel, seeking help after a horrific apparition terrorizes the estate. Addison researches historical witch trials in town, connecting the apparition to a woman executed during a hot summer centuries prior.

The shadow in the corridor While keeping watch in the hot study, Addison observes a grotesque figure crawl into the room, wearing a unique bangle. He douses the light as Major Dale swoons, catching a final glimpse of an elfin figure fleeing down the moonlit hall.

The frenzy in the clearing In a distant mountain camp, Major Fayne grows wildly paranoid, questioning Ramsa Lal about non-existent hoofbeats on the path. Hours later, Fayne bursts out of the dark jungle screaming and mad, collapsing beside a horde of stolen, gem-encrusted gold.

The tracks at Black Gap Following the brutal murder of Sir Jeffrey Baird on the moor, Secret Service agent East examines the muddy site of the crime. He discovers peculiar wedge-shaped marks where the culprit used a blue porcelain ape image and an ebony stick to leap away without leaving footprints.

The trap in the library East and a detective sergeant confront the victim's secretary, Mr. Damopolon, bringing forth the broken ebony stick retrieved from the water. Caught by the physical evidence, Damopolon pales as the trap closes around him.

The mystery of Ragstaff Guests at Ragstaff encounter midnight noises, strange flashing lights, and an iron-bound chest stamped with a skull that vanishes instantly. Lorian investigates the scene, piecing together how a hidden camera and the family riddle connect to the intruder.

The secret of Hollow Grange Jack Dillon visits Hollow Grange and meets Phryné, a charming woman who seems blissfully unaware of the lingering dread in the house. He discovers that her admirers are driven to despair while her guardian pursues cryptic, occult studies.

The spell of the desert In the crowded lanes of Cairo, Saville Grainger obtains a lapis-lazuli amulet that steadily detaches him from the modern world. Despite warnings, he walks toward the pyramids under a profound, irresistible compulsion.

The sheikh's protection Eileen Graham is given a turquoise necklace by a humble pedlar in Cairo, unaware of its immense significance. When danger strikes her party in the desert, her servant reveals that the unknown donor is actually a legendary tribal leader guarding them from harm.

The People

• Major Dale: A straightforward, skeptical retired military officer who builds a new wing on his estate, only to be broken in health and spirit when faced with an unexplainable presence.
• Addison: A thoughtful friend and investigator who uses historical records and logic to decipher the mystery behind the recurring manifestations at Low Fennel.
• Major Fayne: An expedition leader whose growing paranoia culminates in a desperate act of plunder, bringing a horrific downfall upon himself and terror to his camp.
• Moreen: Major Fayne's resilient wife, who must face her husband's sudden mental collapse and the strange, gem-laden curse he brings to her feet.
• Ramsa Lal: A loyal and attentive native assistant who tries to anchor Major Fayne to reality before horror overwhelms the campsite.
• East: A sharp Secret Service operative who pauses his retreat from public life to solve a murder, relying on physical clues and methodical deduction.
• Mr. Damopolon: Sir Jeffrey's Greek secretary, whose suave demeanor hides a cunning plot that is undone by a broken walking stick.
• Jack Dillon: A worldly young visitor to Hollow Grange who seeks to understand the atmosphere of dread and protect the enchanting Phryné from the house's hidden dangers.
• Phryné: A beautiful woman living at Hollow Grange whose bewitching presence captivates suitors, even as she feels an encroaching spiritual unrest.
• Saville Grainger: A former London journalist whose journey to Cairo awakens a deep feeling of belonging that draws him away from normal society.
• Mohammed: A devoted dragoman whose deep reverence for a holy desert sheikh guides his efforts to protect his employers.

In Its Own Voice

"I've always been a sceptic, Addison, but if Low Fennel is not haunted, I'm a Dutchman, by the Lord Harry!"

Major Dale makes his blunt declaration upon arriving at the hill overlooking his ancient home.

"The cunning criminal had thus gained the firm ground in the coppice without leaving a footprint behind!..."

East explains his deduction to the gathered party while demonstrating how the murderer used the porcelain ape to cross the mud.

"Slowly, he has changed towards me. He watches me, sometimes, in a strange way. Oh, he has been so good, so very kind and good, but--I shall be glad when----"

Phryné confides her growing unease regarding her guardian's strange behavior and secretive habits at Hollow Grange.

What It's Really About

The collection explores the fragility of human reason when confronted by the unknown. Across these stories, characters rely on military discipline, modern logic, or social standing, only to find those defenses useless against ancient curses, psychological decay, or supernatural phenomena. The narrative highlights the contrast between traditional Western materialism and the mysterious forces of older worlds. Whether dealing with historical injustices that linger in English soil or sacred relics taken from Eastern lands, the stories suggest that past actions and ancient powers exert a lasting hold on the present, demanding a reckoning from those who cross their paths.

Why Read It Today

This collection offers an entertaining journey into early twentieth-century popular pulp fiction, filled with classic atmosphere, mysterious crimes, and dramatic suspense. Fans of vintage detective stories and traditional weird fiction will appreciate the fast pace and inventive set pieces. The prose creates an unmistakable period feel, moving effortlessly from foggy English country houses to the bustling bazaars of Cairo.

Readers should expect the stylistic conventions of its era, including dramatic dialogue, romanticized portrayals of foreign lands, and straightforward character types. Some melodramatic twists and period attitudes toward non-Western cultures reflect the publication date of the 1920s. However, the author's skill at building tension, constructing clever puzzles, and delivering memorable imagery makes this a rewarding choice for anyone looking for classic mystery and supernatural tales.