Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Captain of the Polestar Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

For reasons that are unclear, Nicholas Craigie, Captain of the Pole-Star, decides to anchor in the middle of the arctic ocean, contrary to the opinion of his crew. Indeed, the boat could be trapped in the ice at any moment, resulting in a sudden death for everyone. Days pass... One morning Mr. Manson, the second mate, reports he saw a ghost at night. His story is not taken seriously, and is put on account of idleness. But a few days later, sailor Milne also reports he has seen an apparition around the boat. The whole crew is convinced that something uncanny is flitting around them. The phenomenon cannot be attributed to the natural superstition of the crew, as the doctor himself reports he has heard a cry in the dark. One night, the captain leaves the ship and disappears into the darkness as if he was following an invisible presence. Several times, the crew tried to find him without any success. The next day, they finally found him dead in the ice but it seems not a painful end as a bright smile was still on his face and his hands were in the position of grasping something. He had probably found and embraced the invisible ghost which summoned him.