Tales of Terror and Mystery

The idea that the extraordinary narrative which has been called the Joyce-ArmstrongFragment is an elaborate practical joke evolved by some unknown person, cursed by a pervertedand sinister sense of humour, has now been abandoned by all who have examined the matter.The most macabre and imaginative of plotters would hesitate before linking his morbid fancieswith the unquestioned and tragic facts which reinforce the statement.

Though the assertionscontained in it are amazing and even monstrous, it is none the less forcing itself upon the generalintelligence that they are true, and that we must readjust our ideas to the new situation.

Thisworld of ours appears to be separated by a slight and precarious margin of safety from a mostsingular and unexpected danger.

I will endeavour in this narrative, which reproduces the originaldocument in its necessarily somewhat fragmentary form, to lay before the reader the whole of thefacts up to date, prefacing my statement by saying that, if there be any who doubt the narrative ofJoyce-Armstrong, there can be no question at all as to the facts concerning Lieutenant Myrtle, R.N., and Mr. Hay Connor, who undoubtedly met their end in the manner described.