Note: This is the first version of the story written by Guy de Maupassant (1886, about 3,500 words long), initially published on October 26 1886 in the daily newspaper Gil Blas. A revised and lengthened version of it (about about 7,800 words long) was published the following year under the same title, "Le Horla", differring considerably as far as its narrative structure was concerned.

Synopsis: Mental specialist Dr. Marrande tells a few of his collegues about the curious case of a man who believes he is haunted by an invisible being. The patient is ushered, made to tell his story and answer questions. The doctor then states his inability to decide whether the man is mad or telling the truth.