Algernon Henry Blackwood, (1869 -1951) was an English writer of supernatural fiction. Blackwood was also a journalist and a broadcasting narrator. Blackwood had a varied career, farming in Canada, operating a hotel, a newspaper reporter in New York, and essayist for various periodicals. His works included ten collections of short stories, fourteen novels, children"s stories, and several plays. Many of his stories reflect his love of nature and the outdoors. His two best-known stories were "The Willows" and "The Wendigo". Stories in this collection include The empty house -- A haunted island -- A case of eavesdropping -- Keeping his promise -- With intent to steal -- The wood of the dead -- Smith: an episode in a lodging-house -- A suspicious gift -- The strange adventures of a private secretary in New York -- Skeleton Lake: an episode in camp.