The 14th Pan Book of Horror Stories

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Herbert van Thai has compiled a number of anthologies which include some of the writings of James Agate, Ernest Newman and Hilaire Belloc as well as a volume on Victorian Travellers. He has also resuscitated the works of many neglected Victorian writers. In 1971 his autobiography, The Tops of the Mulberry Trees, was published, as well as The Music Lovers’ Companion (with Gervase Hughes). He has also edited Thomas Adolphus Trollope’s autobiography and a two-volume work on Britain’s Prime Ministers.

I found him at last, seated at the far end of the heated plant house, a small man with white hair and bloodless features.

‘Mr Bloom?’ I said. He had been so engrossed in watering an exquisite-looking cactus that he was unaware of my entry, and started up violently at the sound of my voice, spilling some of the liquid over his shoes.

‘I . . . I . . .’ he gasped. His watery eyes were dilated as they flashed from side to side in extreme agitation. He made a quick lunge and grasped a wicked-looking machete, the type used in South America to hack a path through impenetrable jungle.

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