The Oblong Box

Edward is disfigured in an African voodoo ceremony and is kept locked in his room by his guilt-ridden brother Julian. In 1865 England, the brothers live under a heavy shadow of secrecy and resentment. Edward begins plotting to escape by faking his own death.

Edward continues his plot to escape by pretending to die. He enlists the help of the family lawyer Trench and the witchdoctor N'Galo to concoct a deathlike trance. Julian remains unaware as Edward consolidates his plan.

The coffin scheme moves forward as Julian believes his brother is dead and orders a wake. Trench and N'Galo murder landlord Tom Hacket to provide a corpse for the lying in state. The plan requires a convincing proxy body to fool the family and guests.

After the wake, Trench and Norton dispose of Hacket's body in a nearby river, while Julian has Sir Edward buried as if he had died. The deception seems complete, and Julian proceeds with his plans to wed Elizabeth. Edward waits in silence for his chance to return.

Graverobbers exhume Edward's coffin and deliver him to Dr. Neuhartt. Neuhartt opens the coffin and is confronted by the resurrected Sir Edward. Edward uses his knowledge of Neuhartt's illegal activities to coerce the doctor into sheltering him.

Edward hides his scarred face behind a crimson hood and sets out on a vengeful killing spree. He targets those connected to his past and begins a manhunt across England, starting with Norton. Between murders he enamors Neuhartt's maid Sally, who becomes entangled in the web of intrigue.

Norton is the first on Edward's list and is slain when he refuses to reveal the whereabouts of the witchdoctor. Edward's identity remains hidden as the crimson hood muffles his face. The killing intensifies the public hunt for a killer in a crimson hood.

Edward romances Sally during the lull between murders, drawing closer to Neuhartt's household secrets. Neuhartt fires Sally after discovering the affair, and she goes to work for Julian. The shifting loyalties complicate the pursuit as clues and lies accumulate.

Julian confronts Trench about the truth of Sir Edward's supposed death. Trench is killed by Edward, but before dying he reveals the location of N'Galo. Edward now has a direct path to vengeance by seeking out the witchdoctor.

Edward asks N'Galo for help to cure his condition and regain his edge. N'Galo reveals that the Africa punishment was a case of mistaken identity and cannot be undone. They fight, N'Galo stabs Edward in the chest, and Edward retaliates by flinging hot liquid into N'Galo's face.

Edward slits Neuhartt's throat, ending the doctor's complicity and severing any remaining trust. He continues toward Julian to finish the vendetta. The pursuit gathers momentum as the hunter becomes the hunted.

Julian, informed by Sally, tracks Edward to Dr. Neuhartt's home and finds Neuhartt near death. Edward returns to the Markham mansion and confronts Sally, who is repulsed by the killings. Elizabeth senses the danger and the family crisis deepens.

In the Markham estate woods, Sally snatches Edward's hood and reveals his deformed face to Julian. Julian shoots Edward with both barrels, mortally wounding him. Edward bites Julian's hand as he dies, sealing their intertwined fates.

Edward is resurrected in his coffin by N'Galo, but this time he is buried for good with no chance of escape. Back at the Markham mansion, Elizabeth finds Julian in Edward's old room, and his face begins to disfigure—the bite has passed the curse to him. The tale closes with a chilling sense that the horror will outlive them all.