THE OPEN WINDOW
This short story talks about a man: Framton Nuttel , who is ill of his nerves, and needs to be calm
and rest, so he goes to Mrs. Sappleton's house, advised by his sister with a letter of presentation.
Upon his arrival, he is greeted by Vera, Mrs Sappleton’s niece who is fifteen years old. The first
thing that she does is ask her guest about his knowledge in the área.
The man replies that he doesn't know anything but her aunt´s name and her address, then the
girl points out a large French Style open window which is in there and tells him about “The great
tragedy”.
Just three years ago Mrs Sappleton's husband, three young brothers and a spaniel dog went to a
shooting party and never came back. Their bodies were never found, however the woman still
waits for them.
At that moment Mrs. Sappleton comes down and he gives her the letter. She apologises for being
late and asks if the open window bothers, because she's expecting for her husband and brothers.
She explains to him that they enter through there to avoid walking with dirt on the whole house.
Mr. Nuttel feels sorry about her, and looks at the girl, then he notices that Vera´s face changes to
a grimace of horror, in consequence of this, he looks out the window and watches four shadows of
men and one of a dog coming. So he scares to death and sprints out with no explanations at all.
The men come into the window and Mrs. Sappleton's husband asks her who was that who ran
away, she tells him that he was “a most extraordinary gentleman” who left without saying
goodbye, in such a hurry as he had seen a ghost.
Immediately, Vera adds that he was scared of dogs due a traumatic incident in India. Then the
story concludes./ends