Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and now also on YouTube. If you would like to get an email once a week with upcoming sleep stories and other news, subscribe to the snooze letter at snoozecast.com. This episode is brought to you by Moonlit Trap Doors. Tonight, for our 600th episode and the next next in our October Spooky Sleep Story series, we'll read an excerpt from The Castle of Otranto, a novel by Horace Walpole. First published in 1764, it is generally regarded as the first Gothic novel. Set in a haunted castle, the novel produced a new style that has endured ever since and has shaped the modern-day aesthetic of the Goth subculture. Although in later editions of this novel's publication, the author acknowledged his authorship, in the first publication, the story was purported to be a recently discovered ancient manuscript from the time of the Crusades. Many years later, it was discovered that the main character, Manfred, was inspired by the real medieval king of Sicily by that name. This historic Manfred is remembered for being noble, handsome, and intellectual, along with being excommunicated by three different popes. This exer opens on a scene where Princess Isabella is fleeing through the castle from the wicked manfrid. He had recently asked her to marry him on the same evening her own fiance, manfrid's own sun, died by a giant helmet falling from the sky upon it. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body and at the surface of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. Princess Isabella recollected a subterraneous passage, which led from the vaults of the castle to the Church of St. Nicholas. If she could reach the altar before she was overtaken, she knew even Manfred would not dare to profane the sacredness of the place. And she determined, if no other means of deliverance offered to shut herself up forever among the holy virgins, whose convent was contiguous to the cathedral. In this resolution she seized a lamp that burned at the foot of the staircase and and hurried towards the secret passage. The lower part of the castle was hollowed into several intricate cloister and it was not easy for one under so much anxiety to find the door that opened into the cavern. an awful silence reigned throughout those subterraneous regions.

Except now... door that opened into the cavern. An awful silence rained throughout those subterraneous regions, except now and then some blasts of wind that shook the doors she had passed, and which, grating on the rusty hinges, were re-equed through that long labyrinth of darkness. Every murmur struck her with new terror. Yet, more she dreaded to hear the wrathful voice of Manfred, urging his domestics to pursue her. She trod as softly as impatience would give her leave, yet frequently stopped and listened to hear if she was followed. In one of those moments, she thought she heard a sigh. She shuddered and recoiled a few paces. In a moment, she thought she heard the step of some person. Her blood curdled. She concluded it was a manfred. Every suggestion that horror could inspire rushed into her mind. She condemned her rash flight, which had thus exposed her to his rage in a place where her cries were not likely to draw anybody to her assistance. Yet the sound seemed not to come from behind. With Mantford knew where she was, he must have followed her. She was still in one of the cloister's, and the steps she had heard were too distinct to proceed from the way she had come. Cheered with this reflection, and hoping to find a friend in whoever was not the prince. She was going to advance when a door that stood a jar at some distance to the left was opened gently. But air her lamp, which she held up, could discover who opened it. The person retreated on seeing the light. Isabella, whom every incident was sufficient to dismay, hesitated whether she should proceed. Her dread of manfrid soon outweighed every other terror. The very circumstance of the person avoiding her gave her a sort of courage. It could only be, she thought, some domestic belonging to the castle. Her gentleness had never raised her an enemy, and conscious innocence made her hope that, unless sent by the prince's order to seek her, his servants would rather assist than prevent her flight. Fortifying herself with these reflections, and believing by what she could observe that she was near the mouth of the subterraneous cavern. She approached the door that had been opened, but a sudden gust of wind that met her at the door extinguished her lamp and left her in total darkness.

Alone in so dismal a place, her mind imprinted with all the events of the day, hopeless of escaping, expecting every moment the arrival of Manfred, and far from tranquil, unknowing she was within reach of somebody, she knew not whom, who for some cause seemed concealed thereabouts. All these thoughts crowded on her distracted mind, and she was ready to sink under her apprehensions. She addressed herself to every saint in heaven, inwardly implored their assistance. For a considerable time she remained in an agony of despair. At last, as softly as was possible, she felt for the door and having found it, interred trembling in the vault from whence she had heard the sigh and steps. It gave her a kind of momentary joy to perceive an imperfect ray of clouded moonshine gleam from the roof of the vault, which seemed to be fallen in, and from once hung a fragment of earth or building she could not distinguish which that appeared to have been crushed inwards. She advanced eagerly towards this chasm when she discerned a human form standing close against the wall. shrieked, believing in the ghost of her patrol, the conrad, the figure and vancing, said in a submissive voice. Be not alarmed, lady. I will not injure you. Isabella, a little encouraged by the words and tone of voice of the stranger and recollecting that this must be the person who had opened the door, recovered her spirits enough to reply. Sir, whoever you are, take pity on a wretched princess, standing on the brink of destruction,

assist me to escape from this fatal castle, or in a few moments I may be made miserable forever. Alas said the stranger, what can I do to assist you?

I will die in your defense.

But I am unacquainted with the castle and want, oh, said Isabella, hastily interrupting him. Help me but to find a trap door that must be here about? And it is the greatest service you can do for me, for I have not a minute to lose." Saying these words, she felt about on the pavement and directed the stranger to search like wise, for a smooth piece of brass enclosed in one of the stones. That, said she, is the lock which opens with a spring of which I know the secret. If we can find that, I may escape. If not, alas. Courtyard stranger, I fear I shall have involved you in my misfortunes. Manfred will suspect you for the accomplice of my flight, and you will fall a victim to his resentment. "'I value not my life,' said the stranger, and it will be some comfort to lose it in trying to deliver you from his tyranny.' GenerGenerous youth,' said Isabella. "'How shall I ever, as she uttered those words, "'a ray of moonshine streaming through a cranny of the ruin above, "'shown directly on the lock they sought?' "'Hall, Transport," said Isabella.

Here is the trap door.

And taking out the key, she touched the spring, which, starting aside, discovered an iron ring. Lift up the door, set the princess.

The stranger obeyed, and beneath appeared some stone steps descending into a vault, totally dark. We must go down here," said Isabella. Follow me. Dark and dismal as it is, we cannot miss our way. It leads directly to the Church of St. Nicholas. But perhaps, added the Princess modestly, you have no reason to leave the castle, nor have I farther occasioned for your service. In a few minutes I shall be safe for Manfred's rage. Only let me know to whom I am so much obliged. I will never quit you, said the stranger eagerly, until I have placed you in safety. North think me, Princess, more generous than I am, though you are my principal care. The stranger was interrupted by a sudden noise of voices that seemed approaching, and they soon distinguished these words. Talk not to me of necromancers. I tell you she must be in the castle. I will find her in spite of enchantment. Oh heavens, cried Isabella. It is the voice of Manfred, may cased, or we are ruined and shut the trap door after you. this, she descended the steps, and as the stranger hastened to follow her, he let the door slip out of his hands. It fell, and the spring closed over it. He tried and vain to open it, not having observed Isabella's method of touching the spring, nor had he many moments to make an essay. The noise of the falling door had been heard by Manfred, who directed by the sound, hastened the thither, attended by his servants with torches. It must be Isabella, cried Manfred, before he entered the vault, she is escaping by the subterraneous passage, but she cannot have gotten far. What was the astonishment of the Prince when, instead of Isabella, the light of the torches discovered to him the young peasant whom he thought confined under the fatal helmet? Trader said Manfred. How cameist thou here?

I thought thee endurance above in the court. "'I am no traitor,' replied the young man boldly. "'Nor am I answerable for your thoughts,' "'Presumptious villain,' cried Manfred. "'Dust thou provoke my wrath? Tell me, how hast thou escaped from above? Thou hast corrupted thy guards, and their lives shall answer it. My poverty said the peasant calmly. We'll discolpate them, though the ministers of a tyrant's wrath to thee they are faithful,

and but to willing to execute the orders which you unjustly imposed upon them, are thou so hardy as to dare my vengeance?" said the prince, Tell me, I will know thy accomplices.

There was my accomplice, said the youth, smiling, and pointing to the roof. Manfred ordered the torches to be held up, and perceived that one of the cheeks of the enchanted cask had forced its way through the pavement of the court. His servants had let it fall over the peasant,

and had broken through into the vault, leaving a gap, through which the peasant had pressed himself some minutes before he was found by Isabella. Was that the way by which thou didst descend?" said Manfred. It was, said the youth.

But what noise was that?" said Manfred, it was, said the youth.

But what noise was that?" said Manfred, which I heard as I entered the cloister. A door clapped, said the peasant. I heard it as well as you. What door?" said Manfred hastily. I am not acquainted with your castle," said the peasant.

This is the first time I ever entered it, and this vault, the only part of it within which I ever was. But I tell thee," said Manfred, wishing to find out if the youth had discovered the trap door. It was this way I heard the noise. My servants heard it, too. My Lord, interrupted one of them. To be sure it was the trap door, and he was going to make his escape. Peace, blockhead, said the prince angrily, if he was going to escape, how should he come on this side?

I will know from his own mouth what noise it was I heard. Tell me truly, and my life depends on my veracity. My veracity is dear to me than my life," said the peasant. Nor would I purchase the one by forfitting the other. Indeed, young philosopher said Manfred, contemptuously.

Tell me. Nor would I purchase the one by forfitting the other. "'Indeed, young philosopher,' said Manfred, contemptuously. "'Tell me then. What was the noise I heard?' "'Ask me what I can answer,' said he. Manfred, growing impatient at the steady valor and indifference of the youth cried. Well then, thou man of truth, answer, was it the fall of the trap door that I heard? It was, said the youth. It was, said the prince, and how didst thou come to know there was a trap door here? I saw the plate of brass by a gleam of moonshine replied he. But what told thee it was a lock?" said Manfred. How did Stau discover the secret of opening it? Providence, that delivered me from the helmet, was able to direct me to the spring of a lock, said he. Providence should have gone a little farther and have placed the out of the reach of my resentment," said Manfred. When Providence had taught thee to open the lock, it abandoned thee for a fool, who did not know how to make use of its favors. Why didst thou not pursue the path pointed out for thy escape? Why didst thou shut the trapped door before thou hadst descendeth the steps? I might ask you, my lord," said the peasant, How I, totally unacquainted with your castle, was to know that those steps led to any outlet. But I scorned to evade your questions. Wherever those steps lead to, perhaps I should have explored the way I could not be in a worse situation than I was. But the truth is, I let the trap door fall. Your immediate arrival followed. I had given the alarm what imported it to me whether I was seized a minute sooner or a minute later. Thou art a resolute villain for thy years," said Mantret. Yet on reflection, I suspect thou dost but trifle with me. Thou hast an idea told me how thou didst open the lock. That I will show you, my Lord," said the peasant. And taking up a fragment of stone that had fallen from above, he laid himself on the trap door and began to beat on the piece of brass that covered it, meaning to gain time for the escape of the Princess. This presence of mind joined to the frankness of the youth staggered Manfred. He even felt a disposition towards pardoning one who had been guilty of no crime. Manfred was not one of those savage tyrants who wanted in cruelty unprovoked. The circumstances of his fortune had given an asperity to his temper, which was naturally humane, and his virtues were always ready to operate, when his passions did not obscure his reason. While the prince was in this suspense, a confused noise of voices echoed through the distant vaults. As the sound approached, he distinguished the clamors of some of his domestics, whom he had disperseed through the castle in search of Isabella, calling out. Where's my Lord? Where's the Prince? Here I am, said Manfred, as they came nearer, have you found the Princess? The first that arrived replied, oh my Lord, I am glad we have found you. Found me, said Manfred, "'have you found the princess?'

"'We thought we had,' my Lord,' said the fellow, looking terrified. "'But what?' cried the prince, as she escaped. "'Jack and I,' my Lord.' Yes, I and Diego interrupted the second who came up in still greater consternation. Speak one of you at a time," said Manfred. I ask you, where is the princess? We do not know, said they both together, but we are frightened out of our wits. So I think, the lockets," said Manfred. What is it, has scared you thus? Oh, my Lord, said Jack. Diego has seen such a sight, your highness would not believe our eyes. What new absurdity is this, cried Manfred? Give me a direct answer, or by heaven, why my lord? If it pleases your highness to hear me," said the poor fellow. De-Ago and I. Yes, I and Jack cried as comrade. Did not I forbid you to speak both at a time?" said the prince. You, Jack, answer. For the other fool seems more distracted than thou art. What is the matter?" My gracious lord. If it please your highness to hear me. Diego and I, according to your highness' orders, went to search for the young lady. But being comprehensive that we might meet the ghost of my young lord, your highness' son, God rest his soul, and he has not received Christian burial, sought, cried man-fred and rage. Is it only a ghost then? That thou hast seen? Oh, worse, worse, my lord, cried Diego. I had rather have seen ten whole ghosts. Grand me patience," said Manfred. These blockheads distract me. Out of my sight, Diego. And thou, Jack, tell me in one word art thou sober, art thou raving, thou wast want to have some sense, as the other sought frighten himself and thee too. Speak. What is it he fancies he has seen? Why, why, my Lord, replied Jack, trembling, I was going to tell your highness that since them is fortune of my young Lord, God rest his precious soul, not one of us, your highness is faithful servants. Indeed we are, my Lord, though poor men, I say, not one of us has dared to set afoot about the castle, but two together. So Diego and I, thinking that my young lady might be in the great gallery, went up there to look for her, and tell her your highness wanted something to impart to her.

Wow, blundering fools, cried Manfred, and in the meantime she has made her escape, because you were afraid of goblins? Why, doubt, naive. She left me in the gallery. I came from dense myself." For all that, she may be there still for ought I know," said Jack. But the devil shall have me before I seek her there again. Poor Diego. I do not believe he will ever recover it. Recover what?" said Manfred. Am I never to learn what it is as terrified these rascals? But I lose my time. Follow me, and I will see if she is in the gallery. For heaven's sake, my dear, good Lord, cried Jack, do not go to the gallery. The Delim self I believe is in the chamber next to the gallery. Manfred, who, either too, had treated the terror of his servants as an idle panic, was struck at this new circumstance. He recollected the apparition of the portrait, and sudden closing of the door at the end of the gallery, his voice faltered and he asked with the sorter, what is in the great chamber? My Lord, when Diego and I came into the gallery, he went first. For he said he had more courage than I. So when we came into the gallery, we found nobody. We looked under every bench and stool, and still we found nobody. Were all the pictures in their places, said Manfred. Yes, my Lord, but we did not think of looking behind them. And while well said Manfred, proceed. When we came to the door of the great chamber, we found it shut. And could you not open it? Oh, yes, my Lord, what to the heaven we had not? Nay, it was not I, either. It was Diego. He was grown full hearty, and would go on, though I advised him not, if ever I opened a door that is shut again? Tr trifle not," said Manfred Shuddering.

But tell me what you saw on the great chamber on opening the door. I, my lord, I was behind Diego, but I heard the noise. For me, I adjur thee by the souls of my ancestors.

What was it thou sawest? What was it thou heardest? It was Diego saught. It was not I, my lord. I only heard the noise. Diego had no sooner opened the door than he cried out and ran back. I ran back too and said, Is it the ghost? The ghost? No, no, said Diego, and his hair stood on end. It is a giant, I believe. He is all clad and armor, for I saw his foot and part of his leg, and they are as large as the helmet below in the court." And he said these words, my lord. We heard a motion, and the rattling of armor, as if the giant was rising. For Diego had told me since that he believes the giant was lying down for the foot and leg were stretched at length on the floor. Before we could get to the end of the gallery, we heard the door of the great chamber clapped behind us, but we did not dare turn back to see if the giant was following us. Now, I think on it, we must have heard him if he had pursued us. But for heaven's sake, could my Lord send for the chaplain and have the castle exercised? For certain it is enchanted. Your behavior is above your seaming," said Manfred, viewing him with surprise and admiration. Hereafter I will reward your bravery, but now, continued he with a sigh. I am so circumstance that I dare trust no eyes but my own. However however I give you leave to accompany me." Manfred, when he first followed Isabella from the gallery, had gone directly to the apartment of his wife, concluding the princess had retired dither. Fred was now returning from the vault, attended by the peasant and a few of his servants whom he had obliged to accompany him. He ascended this staircase without stopping, till he arrived at the gallery. the door of which he met, the palata and her chaplain, Wendiego had been dismissed by Manfred. He had gone directly to the princesses' apartment with the alarm of what he had seen, that excellent lady, who no more than Manfred doubted of of the reality of the vision, yet affected to treat it as a delirium of the servant, willing, however, to save her lord from any additional shock, and prepared by a series of griefs, not to tremble at any asession to it. She determined to make herself the first sacrifice. If fate had marked the present hour for their destruction, dismissing the reluctant Matilda to arrest who invades suit for leave to accompany her mother and attended only by her chaplain. The Polita had visited the gallery and great chamber, and now with more serenity of soul than she had felt for many hours, She met her lord and assured him that the vision of the gigantic leg and foot was all available and the dark and dismal hour of the night on the minds of his servants. She and the chaplain had examined the chamber and found everything in the usual order. Manfred, though persuaded like his wife that the vision had been no work of fancy, recovered a little from the tempest of mind into which so many strange events had thrown him, ashamed to, of this inhuman treatment of a princess who returned every injury with new marks of tenderness and duty. He felt returning love, forcing itself into his eyes. you you

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