Lost Man’s Lane · Chapter
The Phantom Coach explained
Miss Butterworth, stranded at the hotel in X, learns from Mrs.
What happens
Miss Butterworth, stranded at the hotel in X, learns from Mrs. Carter about the local legend of a phantom coach that haunts Lost Man's Lane. The coach is said to presage disaster, and recent sightings by little Rob and Mrs. Jenkins have stirred up the village. Mrs. Carter recounts the tragic story of a young widow's daughter who eloped with a guest, leading to the mother's desperate pursuit and the coach's spectral return.
Themes in this chapter
Superstition and the Supernatural
The entire chapter revolves around the legend of the phantom coach, a supernatural omen that terrifies the villagers and is tied to the Knollys family history.
Secrecy and Deception
Miss Butterworth's investigation is hindered by the villagers' reluctance to discuss the coach, and Lucetta's plan to keep her away from the mansion suggests hidden motives.
Isolation and Community
The village of X is depicted as insular and superstitious, with the community united in its fear of Lost Man's Lane and the phantom coach, isolating outsiders like Miss Butterworth.
Characters to notice
- Amelia Butterworth
Miss Butterworth is the narrator and protagonist, stranded at the hotel and determined to gather information about the phantom coach and the Knollys family.
- Mrs. Carter
The hotel keeper's wife, who freely shares gossip about the phantom coach and the local superstitions surrounding Lost Man's Lane.
- Rob Allers
Little Rob is mentioned as the first recent witness to the phantom coach, having seen it from his window at night, which has left him frightened and ill.
- Lucetta
Lucetta is referenced as the young lady involved in the mystery, and her plan to keep Miss Butterworth away from the mansion is noted.
- Mr. Gryce
Mr. Gryce is mentioned as the detective who persuaded Miss Butterworth to stay at the Knollys mansion, possibly due to rumors like the phantom coach.
Key passages
“Ghosts! What could the fellow have meant? If I had pressed him he would have told me, but it did not seem quite a lady’s business to pick up information in this way, especially when it involved a young lady like Lucetta.”
Miss Butterworth wonders about the locksmith's mention of ghosts but refrains from pressing him, feeling it improper for a lady to pry into matters concerning Lucetta.
Reflects Miss Butterworth's internal conflict between propriety and her investigative instincts.
“Oh, there’s no wonder the child is sick. We would be sick under the circumstances. He has seen the phantom coach.”
Mrs. Carter explains that little Rob's illness is due to his terrifying encounter with the legendary phantom coach.
Introduces the central supernatural element of the chapter and its impact on the community.
“It is a superstition, possibly, but you cannot find many families in town but believe in it as a fact, for there is not an old man or woman in the place but has either seen it in the past or has had some relative who has seen it.”
Mrs. Carter describes the widespread belief in the phantom coach, noting that nearly every family in town has a personal or familial connection to sightings.
Highlights the deep-rooted superstition in the village and the collective belief in the supernatural.