originally published Unusual Stories No. 1, May-June 1935
Constantine Theunis narrates a strange tale.
Some time previously, he had visited the small town of Hampdon, in order to check out some ancient sculptures. He found the atmosphere oppressive, and one night heard a strange chiming sound which he (and others) found disquieting.
Eavesdropping on some G-men who have come to town, Theunis learns that the chime has been associated with disappearances in the past. Said disappearances always associated with an old man named Cruth, who lives outside the village, and once lost a daughter named Charlotte, who is said to be buried in a tomb in the hills, alongside some rare jewels. Those disappearances have always been of men who came to try to find the tomb and take the jewels. And it seems the G-men are trailing some ruffians thought to be seeking the jewels.
Old man Cruth turns out to be quite senile, but he warns everyone to stop seeking the jewels, that "in Yith, my Charlotte will not be broken!"
Theunis leaves the town. As he drives off, he hears the chime again.
This little vignette has a certain atmosphere to it, but in the end, its far too obtuse to really make much of.
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