These two authors penned tales of crime, insanity, and the supernatural. While some stories are lighter in tone (like The Ghost-Ship and The Amazing Hieroglyphics), many leap straight into the darkness via murder and madness. In The Conjurer, a magician finds his trick works too well; in The Coffin Merchant, salesmanship reaches a whole new level; in The Moon-Slave, a princess is led by her love for dance to make a very rash vow; in The Undying Thing, a ghastly creature fulfils an old prophesy; and in The Grey Cat, man and beast are fixed in a hateful impasse. 22 stories by Richard Middleton are followed by 15 tales by Barry Pain.