Podcast Summary: The House by Beyond Midnight

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
• Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
• Episode: The House by Beyond Midnight
• Release Date: April 19, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "The House," hosted by RelicRadio.com on "The Horror! (Old Time Radio)," listeners are transported into a chilling narrative adapted from Henry James's 1876 story, "The Ghostly Rental." This episode delves deep into themes of guilt, supernatural retribution, and the enduring consequences of past actions.

Setting the Scene

The story begins with Roger James, a former divinity student, recounting a particularly unsettling experience from his youth. He reflects on his time at Cambridge, describing the town of Medford and the ominous house he encounters along a seldom-used road.

• Roger James [00:06]: "Oh, stories, real stories and murders do turn out your legs. Turn them out. Good evening. Come in, won't you?"

The Haunted House

Roger’s initial encounter with the house is marked by its imposing presence and overgrown apple orchard. Approaching the house, he finds the door locked and later observes a mysterious old man, Captain Diamond, who lets himself in and out of the house under strange circumstances.

• Roger James [01:01]: "Once again we're gonna hear from Beyond Midnight this week, a South African series that aired over Springbok Radio."

First Encounter with Captain Diamond

Roger's curiosity leads him back to the house, where he witnesses Captain Diamond entering and exiting. Intrigued and disturbed, Roger's fascination with the house deepens, especially after meeting the enigmatic Captain Diamond again in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

• Captain Diamond [06:53]: "This is a very comfortable place."
• Roger James [08:04]: "I'm young, certainly, but on the whole, I don't think I'm foolish."

Revealing the Tragedy

Through conversations with Deborah, the landlady’s sister, Roger uncovers the tragic history of Captain Diamond. Years ago, Captain Diamond cursed his daughter Emma with his words after discovering her forbidden love, leading to her untimely death. Emma's spirit now haunts the house, and Captain Diamond is bound to collect rent from her ghost in silver coins dating back to before her death.

• Deborah [11:10]: "He killed his daughter."
• Roger James [12:07]: "A high-tempered old man. He loved her very much, but his word was law."

The Supernatural Agreement

Captain Diamond explains that Emma's ghost has allowed him to stay in the house by acting as his tenant, paying rent in old silver coins. This arrangement prevents others from renting or buying the property due to its haunted reputation.

• Captain Diamond [16:13]: "Silver. But all the pieces date from before the girl's death."
• Roger James [16:03]: "Captain Diamond has no other means of living."

Deeper Connections and Revelations

As Roger delves deeper, he forms a connection with Deborah, only to discover unsettling truths about her relationship with Captain Diamond. Deborah reveals that Emma had visited Captain Diamond despite his forbiddance, leading to her death. This revelation blurs the lines between the living and the dead.

• Deborah [12:00]: "You know about the house then?"
• Roger James [25:32]: "I saw him."

Confrontation and Climax

Determined to understand the ghostly occurrences, Roger decides to confront Captain Diamond directly. He arranges to meet at the house, armed with candles as instructed. Inside, he witnesses a terrifying apparition but manages to discern that the figure is not a ghost but a sorrowful woman resembling Deborah.

• Roger James [20:11]: "Take these. You'll find two candlesticks with candles on the table in the hall."
• Captain Diamond [17:23]: "I have seen the departed spirit standing before me."

Resolution

The narrative reaches its climax when the house mysteriously burns down, leaving no trace of Deborah or Captain Diamond. Roger reflects on the haunting experience, acknowledging the lingering presence of the past and the irreversible impact of devastating actions.

• Roger James [28:00]: "The house was a mass of charred beams and smoldering ashes."
• Deborah [27:21]: "It's all right. I know my road. Everything is arranged."

Notable Quotes

• Roger James [01:43]: "I was in my 22nd year... But I remember the Cambridge I want to remember."
• Deborah [11:24]: "She had received a visit from a young man who loved her and whom he had forbidden into the house."
• Captain Diamond [17:25]: "I believe you. I will tell you. I once committed, unintentionally, a great crime."
• Deborah [25:54]: "It's a punishment for my long, long folly. The punishment of my violence."

Conclusion

"The House" masterfully intertwines elements of classic ghost stories with profound emotional depth, exploring themes of remorse, eternal punishment, and the haunting persistence of past deeds. Through Roger James's journey, listeners are invited to reflect on the consequences of unchecked anger and the enduring bonds of familial love, even beyond death.

Note: Advertisements for Biotex and Grandpa Headache Powder present within the transcript have been intentionally excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the core narrative.