Very similar in theme to Chambers' other short story, 'In the Court of the Dragon,' which precedes this one in the collection, The King in Yellow.'

Here, a bohemian artist senses malevolence from the figure of the night watchman of the churchyard outside his window. It seems to him, the man looks almost like a corpse himself. He attempts to dismiss his irrational fears, but they only seem to be compounded with the strange and morbid dreams his favorite model has been having, and disturbing tales from neighbors...

An ill-advised gift hints of doom; and when the artist and his model are oddly compelled to sit down and read 'The King in Yellow,' their fate is sealed. ( )