Investigation #0013 · Closed file

The Shared Dream at The Carroll Boarding House

Several residents of The Carroll Boarding House report the same nightmare. Neighbours say it has been building for 14 days — since 1 October.

Afterwards: The Carroll Boarding House has gone quiet; Miriam is satisfied there was a sensible explanation.

Findings

15:00 Before the report: The smell at The Carroll Boarding House has changed, faintly; the cleaner, old Mr. Hodge, can't place it.

11:00 Before the report: A strange weather at The Carroll Boarding House: frost on one wall on a mild morning.

15:00 Before the report: Talk in the Southgate taverns about The Carroll Boarding House — the same story from different mouths now.

17:00 Before the report: A minor electrical failure at The Carroll Boarding House, fixed and unexplained.

19:00 Before the report: A window at The Carroll Boarding House that is painted shut was found open.

07:00 Before the report: Furniture at The Carroll Boarding House was found moved overnight.

16:00 Before the report: Lights have been seen at The Carroll Boarding House at hours nobody is up, says a lodger across the way, Mr. Brennan.

07:00 Before the report: A neighbour, Tommy Burke, says a room at The Carroll Boarding House is always colder than the rest of the house.

08:00 Before the report: A local rumour about The Carroll Boarding House is doing the rounds again, decades old.

08:00 Before the report: A second, unrelated witness now confirms what the first said about The Carroll Boarding House.
20:00 Before the report: An unexplained smell reported at The Carroll Boarding House.

02:40 Initial report received. Several residents of The Carroll Boarding House report the same nightmare. Neighbours say it has been building for 14 days — since 1 October.
04:40 Miriam takes up the investigation.
10:12 Miriam arrives at The Carroll Boarding House.
10:24 Miriam moves to the cellar.
10:38 Miriam reports a smell of lamp oil.
10:58 Rain running down the windows noted in the back parlour.
11:15 Miriam reports pipes knocking.
11:45 Nothing of note found.
12:04 Miriam leaves The Carroll Boarding House.
14:44 Miriam arrives at The Carroll Boarding House.
14:44 Margin note: a figure at the corner, quite still. Did not approach. Not seen to leave.
14:55 Statement taken from Mr. Warren Jewett (the chambermaid).
15:21 Statement taken from the landlady.
15:34 Accounts conflict. Mr. Warren Jewett (the chambermaid) says it started on Tuesday night. The landlady is certain it has been going on for a month.
15:58 Finding: Several people describe a dream of a tower standing in water.
16:25 Miriam leaves The Carroll Boarding House.
22:38 Miriam arrives at The Carroll Boarding House.
22:52 Strong smell of the sea, a long way inland noted.
23:04 A chair turned to face the wall noted in the attic.
23:21 The dreams match in details no one could share: the same number of stars.
23:21 Outcome: Contained.

11:38 Miriam waits at Kellerman's Lunch Room. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
12:03 The team agree the file: contained. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
12:15 The file is put away. (Kellerman's Lunch Room)
12:33 Afterwards: The Carroll Boarding House has gone quiet; Miriam is satisfied there was a sensible explanation.

The morning after it was reported, the Arkham Gazette led with “MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MYSTERY EXPLAINED”.