Tales of Terror and Mystery

The idea that the extraordinary narrative which has been called the Joyce-Armstrong Fragmentis an elaborate practical joke evolved by some unknown person, cursed by a perverted and sinistersense of humour, has now been abandoned by all who have examined the matter.

The most macabreand imaginative of plotters would hesitate before linking his morbid fancies with the unquestionedand tragic facts which reinforce the statement.

Though the assertions contained in it are amazingand even monstrous, it is none the less forcing itself upon the general intelligence that they are true,and that we must readjust our ideas to the new situation.

This world of ours appears to be separatedby a slight and precarious margin of safety from a most singular and unexpected danger.

I willendeavour in this narrative, which reproduces the original document in its necessarily somewhatfragmentary form, to lay before the reader the whole of the facts up to date, prefacing my statementby saying that, if there be any who doubt the narrative of Joyce-Armstrong, there can be no questionat all as to the facts concerning Lieutenant Myrtle, R.

N., and Mr. Hay Connor, who undoubtedlymet their end in the manner described.