Welcome back everyone, the 1001 classic short stories and tales.

I never feel to be surprised at how many HP Lovecraft fans we have out there.

For this show, 1001 classic short stories and tales, and for 1001 ghosts, Chiller, and Lovecraft

stories. Here's two new ones for you, a doubleheader today. The Beast in the Cave and the Alchemist.

First, The Beast in the Cave by H.P. Lovecraft.

The horrible conclusion which had been gradually uptruding itself upon my confused and reluctant

mind was now an awful certainty. I was lost, completely, hopelessly lost in the vast and labyrinth

recess of the mammoth cave. Turn as I might, in no direction could my straining vision

seize on any object capable of serving as a guidepost to set me on the outward path.

That never more should I behold the blessed light of day, or scan the pleasant hills and dales of the beautiful world outside, my reason could no longer entertain the slightest unbelief.

Hope had departed.

Yet, indoctrinated as I was by a life of philosophical study, I derived no small measure of

satisfaction from my unimpassioned demeanor.

For although I had frequently read of the wild frenzies into which were thrown the victims

of similar situation, I experienced none of these, but stood quiet as soon as I clearly

realized the loss of my bearings.

Nor did the thought that I had probably wandered beyond the utmost limits of an ordinary

search caused me to abandon my composure even for a moment. If I must die, I reflected. Then was this

terrible yet majestic cavern as welcome a sepulcher as that which any churchyard

might afford, a conception which carried with it more of tranquility than of despair.

Starving would prove my ultimate fate.

Of this I was certain.

...