Part 1 — Chapter 10

Summary

• Edwin arrives at a church, newly built with the scent of fresh wood. He comes upon the new priest, Roberts, and informs him of strange happenings he experienced in the forest, which may have been supernatural.
• Roberts offers to sit and talk with him. Edwin recalls a similar childhood episode of fainting during school, and wonders if he had fainted in the forest, causing his strange experience.
• Roberts intimates that others have also reported strange experiences, which causes Edwin to be suspicious of the priest. He has suspicions over Roberts' origins and the rapid departure of the previous priest, Father Pike.
• Roberts confesses that he witnessed Edwin's strange moment in the forest. He saw Edwin looking up into a tree, seemingly seeing something Roberts couldn't. This intensely unsettles Edwin.
• Edwin questions Roberts about his mysterious arrival and Father Pike’s departure. Edwin lives in a boardinghouse and is certain he would have heard news of a boat going out or arriving.
• Edwin confronts Roberts and leaves the church, running into Father Pike outside. When he looks back into the church, Roberts has vanished.