in a forcible, almost undue manner by the sudden, unexpected appearance of the traveler on foot. Moreover, the hazy view I had obtained of the man -- serving to endow him with the qualities of a phantom -- only heightened the impact which he had upon me.
The crest of Kelvin's Bluff was soon attained, and David Garth's weather-lashed residence loomed into sight. The house, embraced by fingers of mist, was silhouetted darkly against the still-crimson sky. I perhaps would never understand Garth's reasons for choosing to live alone at this forlorn region by the sea, although a desire for privacy in which to carry on his research work was undoubtedly a motivating factor.
Parking my car in the drive, I proceeded toward the house. While the mist and gloom combined to obscure my view of the churning sea, its proximity was nonetheless vividly felt. The surf crashing against the rock-bound coastline below filled the keen air with a great elemental tune.
At length the front door receded in response to my ring, and I was confronted by the tall, willowy figure of Dr. David Garth. Upon seeing me, surprise registered on his lean, keenly-contoured face -- which may have been only natural, since I had not informed him beforehand of my coming. His lips broke into a wan smile. "Good to see you, Ray."
I noted at once that my friend's greeting lacked its customary warmth. Indeed, his behavior struck me as a bit odd. I fancied that my presence had made Garth slightly ill-at-ease. I found him strangely reserved.
For a time little was spoken as we sat in Garth's study, enjoying cigars. The sigh of the ocean was faintly audible to our ears. Sitting there, I began to experience a curious sensation. Upon my arrival, I had divined a peculiar, somehow different property about the atmosphere of Garth's home. Difficult to define though it was, the anomaly was now being felt more strongly. It was as if someone else were in the room -- not a visible and tangible presence, but a force mental rather than physical in nature. I became cognizant of strange thoughts which seemed to be generated by a mind other than my own. An inexplicable energy pulsed through the air, distracting my thoughts and fostering a vague mental discomfort.
