# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by M. R. James.

- [Canon Alberic's Scrapbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/canon-alberic-s-scrapbook.md): Dennistoun visits St. Bertrand de Comminges and acquires a remarkable scrapbook compiled by Canon Alberic de Mauléon, containing priceless illuminated manuscript leaves and a terrifying sepia drawing of a demonic figure 
- [Lost Hearts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/lost-hearts.md): In September 1811, orphan Stephen Elliott arrives at Aswarby Hall to live with his reclusive cousin, Mr. Abney, a scholar of pagan mysteries. Mr. Abney seems kindly but repeatedly asks Stephen's age, noting his birthday 
- [The Mezzotint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-mezzotint.md): Mr. Williams, a museum curator, receives a mezzotint of a manor house from dealer Mr. Britnell. Initially unimpressed, he and his friend Professor Binks notice a small figure in the foreground. Later that night, Williams
- [The Ash-Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-ash-tree.md): The chapter recounts the history of Castringham Hall in Suffolk, focusing on a great ash tree that stands near the house. In 1690, the area was rife with witch trials, and Sir Matthew Fell testified against a local woman
- [Number 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/number-13.md): Mr. Anderson, an English gentleman staying at the Golden Lion hotel in Viborg, Denmark, notices the absence of Room 13 from the hotel's board but later discovers it exists. He becomes intrigued by documents in the Rigsar

> 34 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_35_se_982kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Count Magnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/count-magnus.md)
- [Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/oh-whistle-and-i-ll-come-to-you-my-lad.md)
- [The Treasure of Abbot Thomas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-treasure-of-abbot-thomas.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [A School Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-school-story.md)
- [The Rose Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-rose-garden.md)
- [The Tractate Middoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-tractate-middoth.md)
- [Casting the Runes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/casting-the-runes.md)
- [The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-stalls-of-barchester-cathedral.md)
- [Martin's Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/martin-s-close.md)
- [Mr. Humphreys and His Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/mr-humphreys-and-his-inheritance.md)
- [The Residence at Whitminster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-residence-at-whitminster.md)
- [The Diary of Mr. Poynter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-diary-of-mr-poynter.md)
- [An Episode of Cathedral History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/an-episode-of-cathedral-history.md)
- [The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-story-of-a-disappearance-and-an-appearance.md)
- [Letter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/letter-i.md)
- [Letter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/letter-ii.md)
- [Letter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/letter-iii.md)
- [Letter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/letter-iv.md)
- [Two Doctors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/two-doctors.md)
- [The Haunted Dolls’ House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-haunted-dolls-house.md)
- [The Uncommon Prayerbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-uncommon-prayerbook.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [A Neighbour's Landmark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-neighbour-s-landmark.md)
- [A View from a Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-view-from-a-hill.md)
- [A Warning to the Curious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-warning-to-the-curious.md)
- [An Evening’s Entertainment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/an-evening-s-entertainment.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/endnotes.md)
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters