Carnacki, the Ghost Finder

First published in 1913, Carnacki, the Ghost-Finder is a collection of supernatural detective short stories. Author William Hope Hodgson relates his stories in fine Edwardian style. An unnamed narrator is part of a group of gentlemen (Dodgson, Arkright, Jessop and Taylor) who assemble when summoned to the London home of their ghost hunter friend Thomas Carnacki. These assemblies take place every time this one returns from an adventure. Carnacki is a very forthright man. He is very set in his ways and can come across as curt in many instances but his friends keep coming back for more. The evenings follow the same pattern. Carnacki lets his guests in but doesn't speak to them initially. They settle down to dinner for about an hour then follow Carnacki to the fireside where he tells them about his latest "case." The minute his story ends he exclaims "Out you go" and they leave.