Richard Charlesworth is a volunteer at Charnage House. One night he hears Captain Hawkins and Corporal Gaunt discussing the house, which, as Gaunt informs the Captain, the men don't like. Charlesworth interrupts them to report. Charlesworth heads for bed, opting for sleep instead of the drinking, conversation and Christmas carols enjoyed by the other volunteers. In the early hours of the morning, he wakes for his patrol. Behind one of the doors, he hears a loud, strange sound. Terrified, he runs to report.