The House on Gallows Lane: The Lit Window

Findings

• A lodger describes a quiet man in the cellar who pays no rent.

The record

Friday, 1 October 1926

1. 10:14 Initial report received. Residents of Gallows Lane report a light in the burned house.
2. 11:07 Vance & Osgood take up the investigation.
3. 14:16 Vance & Osgood arrive at Abandoned House.
4. 14:24 Search of the upstairs landing.
5. 14:39 Strong smell of boiled cabbage from somewhere below noted.
6. 14:59 Investigators note a single lamp burning low.
7. 15:09 Sound of rain on the roof noted.
8. 15:19 Clue recorded: “The Lit Window”.
9. 15:31 Cellar: nothing unusual.
10. 15:41 Investigators leave Abandoned House.
11. 16:39 Vance & Osgood arrive at Arkham Gazette. (Arkham Gazette)
12. 16:43 Inquiry extends to Arkham Gazette. (Arkham Gazette)
13. 16:55 Investigators move to the rear bedroom. (Arkham Gazette)
14. 17:10 Investigators report a smell of boiled cabbage from somewhere below. (Arkham Gazette)
15. 17:21 Wallpaper lifting at the seams noted in the rear bedroom. (Arkham Gazette)
16. 17:37 Clue recorded: “The 1911 Clipping”. (Arkham Gazette)
17. 17:47 Finding: A lodger describes a quiet man in the cellar who pays no rent. (Arkham Gazette)
18. 17:58 Investigators leave Arkham Gazette. (Arkham Gazette)
19. 21:55 Osgood arrives 20 minutes late.
20. 21:56 Vance & Osgood arrive at Whateley Residence.
21. 22:13 Investigators report a smell of the sea, a long way inland.
22. 22:26 A door open that had been left shut noted in the upstairs landing.
23. 22:46 In the burned house the upstairs room is empty, and the candle on the sill is still warm.
24. 22:46 Outcome: Failed.

Saturday, 2 October 1926

1. 10:42 Vance & Osgood meet at Kellerman's Lunch Room. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
2. 11:07 The team agree the file: failed. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
3. 11:17 The file is put away. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
4. 11:51 Afterwards: Whateley Residence is still not safe; Vance cannot let it go.