A cautious gentleman inherits a large estate, along with its extensive library. Among the papers, he finds a beautifully drawn, yet unsettlingly complex, map of a local garden maze. Intrigued by the map, which seems to contain secret symbols and peculiar directions, Mr. Humphreys begins to explore the grounds. He soon discovers that the map is a guide to more than just hedges--it is the key to an ancient curse tied to a previous owner. As he follows the maze's cryptic path, he realizes he is being watched, guided, and haunted by a terrifying, dark presence that desperately seeks to protect its secrets. From the mind of M. R. James, the acknowledged master who redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and founded the 'antiquarian ghost story' genre, comes a chilling tale where an inheritance is guarded by a spectral puzzle. This story is a quintessential example of James' genius for combining scholarly investigation with palpable creeping dread. It is essential reading for fans of classic ghost stories and supernatural fiction, proving that some family legacies are built on eternal fear.