Amyas Northcote (1864 - 1923) was an English writer and contemporary of M. R. James, who was best known for his ghost stories.

"The Downs" is a classic ghost story which demonstrates Northcote's understated genius. The story starts out as a regular tale, but with a few understated clues as to the nature of the horror that is to come - perfectly setting the atmosphere of creepy tension: "I was perfectly confident in my ability to find my way back over the down to Branksome at night, as the path was very familiar to us, and I expected to be aided by the light of the moon which would rise about ten o'clock."

Sure enough, the journey back over the downs reveals a terrifying horror... and our hero is lucky to escape with his life.