# Count Magnus explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by M. R. James. ## What happens Mr. Wraxall, a middle-aged traveler and writer, journeys to Sweden in 1863 to research a book on Swedish families. He stays at an inn near the manor of Råbäck, home of the De la Gardie family, and becomes fascinated by the dark legacy of Count Magnus de la Gardie, a 17th-century nobleman rumored to have undertaken a 'Black Pilgrimage' and brought back something sinister. While examining old manuscripts, Wraxall discovers a fragment of Count Magnus's own writings about the pilgrimage, which promises long life and vengeance. His curiosity leads him to the Count's mausoleum, where he accidentally triggers the opening of the sarcophagus. Terrified, he flees back to England but is haunted by two mysterious cloaked figures that seem to follow him, culminating in a state of extreme fear and anticipation of their visit. ## Themes in this chapter ### Supernatural and the Uncanny The Black Pilgrimage, the mysterious opening of Count Magnus's sarcophagus, and the relentless pursuit by cloaked figures embody the supernatural horror central to the chapter. ### The Curse of Knowledge Wraxall's over-inquisitiveness leads him to uncover forbidden secrets about Count Magnus, resulting in his psychological breakdown and haunting. ### Folklore and Ancient Beliefs The local traditions about Count Magnus's cruelty and the Black Pilgrimage reflect deep-seated folk beliefs about dark pacts and supernatural retribution. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Wraxall The protagonist and narrator of the papers; a middle-aged, inquisitive traveler who becomes obsessed with Count Magnus's history and suffers dire consequences. ### Count Magnus The long-dead 17th-century nobleman, builder of Råbäck, known for cruelty and rumored to have undertaken the Black Pilgrimage; his sarcophagus is in the church mausoleum. ### The Squire The innkeeper at the village near Råbäck; he provides Wraxall with local traditions about Count Magnus, including the Black Pilgrimage, but is evasive about details. ## Key lines > If any man desires to obtain a long life, if he would obtain a faithful messenger and see the blood of his enemies, it is necessary that he should first go into the city of Chorazin, and there salute the prince. … To gain longevity, a loyal servant, and vengeance, one must journey to Chorazin and greet the prince of the air. _This is the fragment from Count Magnus's 'Liber nigræ peregrinationis' that Wraxall discovers, hinting at a diabolical pact._ > I felt a blow on my foot. Hastily enough I drew it back, and something fell on the pavement with a clash. It was the third, the last of the three padlocks which had fastened the sarcophagus. A sudden impact on his foot caused a padlock to fall; it was the final lock securing the coffin. _Wraxall accidentally triggers the release of the sarcophagus's locks, leading to the lid lifting and his terrified flight._ > Twenty-eight people appear in the enumeration, one being always a man in a long black cloak and broad hat, and another a 'short figure in dark cloak and hood.' On the other hand, it is always noted that only twenty-six passengers appear at meals. Wraxall counts 28 passengers on the canal boat, including two cloaked figures, but only 26 appear at meals, suggesting the two are not ordinary travelers. _This discrepancy reveals that the supernatural pursuers are invisibly present among the living passengers._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/count-magnus - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters