The 9th Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories

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I wish I could say truthfully that I had seen a ghost.

I have read about reputedly haunted houses, listened to friends who knew someone who had experienced some kind of psychic phenomena, but as a professional horror-monger I really am ashamed to say that the dim world of the hereafter has, to date, given me the go-by.

This, I feel, is nothing short of a tragedy, because I would dearly like proof that some form of life exists beyond the grave. After all is said and done, one is dead longer than one is alive. Not that a ghost proves anything, one way or another. ‘Time image’, ‘extension of personality’, ‘atmosphere’, and ‘fear-flamed imagination’ – all can be responsible for the phenomena known as ghosts; and I have yet to meet anyone who has held an intelligent conversation with an apparition.

Of course, there may be people who think they have, and to those fortunate few doubt can no longer exist. The opinions of down-to-earth sceptics are of no importance; they, the lucky few, know, and knowledge is an asset which rises above belief, replaces mere faith and slaughters doubt.

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