Corbin receives a telegraph from one of his former professors of anthropology and folklore. The professor expresses concerns about a series of mysterious deaths in the small New England town where he has retired. Despite the popular opinion that the cause is a disease, he believes that it is in fact a vampire.
He invites Corbin to come and stay at his estate (inherited from his ancient family heritage) and investigate this mystery, hopefully dismissing his morbid theory and proving that it is nothing but a mild epidemic so that "this old man may finally rest easy".
When he and "Ray" (working name) arrive at the mansion, though, it turns out that the professor has died long ago. The telegraph was sent by his daughter (working name: Clarisse). She apologizes for the subterfuge: she feared that the worries of a woman would not be convincing enough to entice a fellow scholar into coming there.
Clarisse reveals that she has followed in her father's footsteps: she is very well educated as an expert of anthropological studies, specializing in superstitions and rituals. She offers to aid Corbin in his investigation.
Several days go by and Ray spends his evenings at the local pub, getting to know the locals. There he learns that Clarisse is considered by the townsfolk as an eccentric and black sheep of her family. She had been away from her home for many years, only returning once her father was already on his death bed. Being his only heir, she quickly took over the household and settled in: almost too quickly. It didn't seem proper and tactful how she took possession of the estate.
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