The Suffolk Inn's Chilling Secret: Mr. Thomson's Ghostly Encounter

A Student’s Retreat to the Suffolk Coast

The narrator recounts the story of Mr. Thomson, a young student who sought refuge at a quiet inn in Suffolk to focus on his studies. He planned to stay for a month, dedicating his mornings to academic work and his afternoons to walking and visiting the bar. Mr. Thomson was the inn's sole guest, ensuring the solitude he desired.

The Mysterious Post Hole

During one of his afternoon walks, Mr. Thomson noticed a large rock featuring a hole, clearly the former anchor point for a post. Intrigued, he later inquired about it with Mr. Betts, the innkeeper.

Mr. Betts explained that a post had indeed stood there previously, but sailors had torn it down, claiming it brought bad luck. This explanation, while strange, satisfied Mr. Thomson for the time being.

The Discovery of the Hidden Room

One day, Mr. Thomson decided to forgo his walk and remain indoors to study. While the innkeepers were away, the student paused to rest. As he walked through the inn, he discovered a small, concealed door.

The Figure Under the Sheet

He opened the door and peered inside. He saw a figure lying in a bed, covered head-to-toe by a white sheet. The figure was clearly alive, however, as it moved and trembled as if suffering from intense cold. Mr. Thomson quickly and quietly retreated, careful not to wake whatever lay beneath the sheet. Though he wished to flee immediately, he decided to remain for another week to avoid raising suspicion among the innkeepers regarding his hasty departure.

The Final Revelation

When the day of his scheduled departure arrived, his suitcases were already placed in the entrance. As the innkeepers prepared to bid him farewell, Mr. Thomson claimed he had forgotten a book upstairs. This was a ruse; he returned to the room for one final look.

The Terrifying Apparition

This time, the creature was uncovered. It was a terrifying figure, resembling a kind of scarecrow, bound by chains around its neck. It moved and fluttered, revealing bony feet. Mr. Thomson ran out of the room, stumbled down the stairs, and fainted at the door of the inn.

The Innkeepers' Confession

When he awoke, the innkeepers confessed that he should never have gone near that room. They revealed the chilling truth:

• What resided there was the ghost of the former innkeeper.
• He had been a thief and a murderer of guests.
• He was consequently hanged on the pole Mr. Thomson had asked about.
• The sailors later removed the pole because the sight of the corpse was scaring away the fish.
• When the ghost returned, they had locked it away in the hidden room.

The innkeepers implored Mr. Thomson to keep silent, a promise he kept until he was old enough to recount the tale to the narrator's father, who then passed the story down.