The Doors of Death

"The Doors of Death" by Arthur B. Waltermire is a chilling tale published in *Weird Tales*, intertwining horror with thoughtful ponderings on life's end. The story casts a light on a banker's impending doom and his faithful servant's support, scrutinizing issues of dying, the terror of the unknown after death, and human mortality. As Judson McMasters faces his final moments he shares his profound fear of being buried alive, a family curse that haunts him because of a strange family illness. In a heartfelt exchange, McMasters shares with Biggs, his trusted servant, his regrets about a life half-lived and grapples with speculations about what happens after death. To counter his biggest fear, McMasters unveils his plot to rig his tomb with an electric bell, hoping to sound an alarm against premature burial. The tale crescendos with McMasters's orchestrated escape from what seems like death through a secret passage, but the shocking turn of events is too much for Biggs. The narrative is a study in mortal dread, laying bare our deep-seated anxieties about life's finale and mankind's wish to direct what lies beyond.