A. Erskine Ellis

'The Haunted Haven' is a ghost story by A. [Arthur] Erskine Ellis, a British biologist and writer of ghost stories, who had met famed ghost story author M. R. [Montague Rhodes] James. The story is set in the fictional village of Ticlas Haven, off the real St. Brides Bay in West Wales.

None of the characters are named. Our narrator is visiting Ticlas Haven. He wonders why only the north haven is used and the south haven is deserted. Luckily for him, the innkeeper 's father was an eyewitness, so he can explain.

The south haven is no longer used because of a miserly uncle who paid his three nephews barely a living wage, although he promised them they would inherit everything when he died. One stormy night, the family goes out in the fishing smack, but only the nephews return. The uncle's body washes up. Unpleasant events follow.

The village doctor and the inkeeper's father keep watch one night and find out what is making footprints on the beach. The doctor attempts to deal with the problem. What happens next ensures the south haven stays deserted.… (altro)