Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Terror of Blue John Gap
—Iwaslaidupinbedfortwodaysaftermyincredibleadventureinthecavern.Iusetheadjectivewithaverydefinitemeaning,forIhavehadanexperiencesincewhichhasshockedmealmostasmuchastheother.IhavesaidthatIwaslookingroundforsomeonewhocouldadviseme.ThereisaDr.MarkJohnsonwhopracticessomefewmilesaway,towhomIhadanoteofrecommendationfromProfessorSaunderson.TohimIdrove,whenIwasstrongenoughtogetabout,andIrecountedtohimmywholestrangeexperience.Helistenedintently,andthencarefullyexaminedme,payingspecialattentiontomyreflexesandtothepupilsofmyeyes.Whenhehadfinished,herefusedtodiscussmyadventure,sayingthatitwasentirelybeyondhim,buthegavemethecardofaMr.PictonatCastleton,withtheadvicethatIshouldinstantlygotohimandtellhimthestoryexactlyasIhaddonetohimself.Hewas,accordingtomyadviser,theverymanwhowaspre-eminentlysuitedtohelpme.Iwentontothestation,therefore,andmademywaytothelittletown,whichissometenmilesaway.Mr.Pictonappearedtobeamanofimportance,ashisbrassplatewasdisplayeduponthedoorofaconsiderablebuildingontheoutskirtsofthetown.Iwasabouttoringhisbell,whensomemisgivingcameintomymind,and,crossingtoaneighbouringshop,IaskedthemanbehindthecounterifhecouldtellmeanythingofMr.Picton."Why,"saidhe,"heisthebestmaddoctorinDerbyshire,andyonderishisasylum.
