McIlvaine's Star

August Derleth

Book 1 of Tex Harrigan

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Published: Jul 2, 1952

Magazine: If, July 1952

Description:

Old Thaddeus McIlvaine discovered a dark star and took it for his own. Thus he inherited a dark destiny -- or did he?

"I've done it," McIlvaine said quietly.

"What's that?" asked Alexander testily.

"I discovered a new star. It lies just off Arcturus," McIlvaine went on, "and it would appear to be coming closer."

"Give it my love," said Richardson with a wry smile. "Have you named it yet? Or don't the discoverers of new stars name them any more? McIlvaine's Star -- that's a good name for it. Hard a port of Arcturus, with special displays on windy nights."

What Thaddeus McIlvaine and Alexander Richardson didn't realize was that they were characters in a horror story. A story written by August Derleth, the man who founded Arkham House. None of these folks knew it yet, but they're all DOOMED! Doomed! Mwahahahaha!