The Ash-Tree

At Castringham Hall, Sir Matthew Fell condemns a reputed witch, Mrs. Mothersole, who warns, "There will be guests at the Hall." Soon after, Sir Matthew is found dead in his bed, blackened and twisted, with no clear cause. Decades later, his descendant Sir Richard dies the same way in the same west room beside a great ash tree. When the tree is burned, monstrous, hairy spiders pour out—and a woman's desiccated corpse is found within.