"Number 13"
from Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, by M. R. James
Another interesting, classic idea for a ghost story. Again we (eventually) have multiple witnesses. Maybe the fact that more than one person is there is supposed to make it even creepier. There's no possibility (within the world of the short story) that it's just the delusion of one man. Most of the time, though, having multiple witnesses doesn't do much for my enjoyment of a scary story. (One notable exception-- The Haunting of Hill House.) This story reminded me of 1408, though apart from the fact that they both take place in a hotel... they have nothing in common.
I was interested in the Danish setting (because of my Swedish husband and the fact that I have at least one Danish ancestor). The stereotypes are definitely there. The narrator doesn't for a moment suspect criminal activity-- after all, this is Denmark!-- but though the Danes are presented as generally cheerful and friendly, when the moment for action comes, the Englishman has to step in as leader. (g) Without him, the Danes are first too fearful to act-- and then liable to rush foolishly into a dangerous situation. Not so with the levelheaded Englishman, of course.
