Sinister house - Gerald Verner

Whispering Beeches stands vacant, well back from the roadway, almost hidden by the thickly growing trees that give it its name - though since its owner, Doctor Shard, was murdered by an unknown hand three years ago, it has locally been known as Sinister House. One night, noticing a light in one room, newspaper reporter Anthony Gale enters through the open front door - only to stumble over a man's body lying stark and rigid, with a gaping throat wound! Four tales of mystery and the macabre from veteran writer Gerald Verner.