kTPFpissue 6

KTPF Magazine Issue 6 - Oct/Nov 2015
The stranger told him to look under the feet of the horses which he did and to his surprise discovered
his hat even though it was so dark that he had to find it by touch. Tom thought this was a little odd as
the stranger could not possibly have seen it but climbed back into the driving seat and continued the
journey.
The horses were restless throughout the journey and when he finally arrived at the Fleet Ditch they
stopped a few paces from the churchyard and would go no further. Tom tried to gee them on but they
resisted and behaved in such and unruly manner that had difficulty in controlling. He shouted to his
fare from his seat that he could take him no further and opened the door of the coach with one hand
whilst clutching the reins of his horses on his whip, which he had made into a bow to lengthen them so
that he could reach the door handle.
The gentleman held out his hand and told the coachman to take what he would for the fare. Tom
looked down and could see the man’s hand but saw no money and as he went to take it he could feel no
hand although he man was standing plainly before him. The man then emerged from the coach which
caused the horses to rear up in terror and drag the coach forwards. As he struggled to control them he
looked back at the carriage and standing where the stranger had been he saw the monstrous figure of a
roaring black bear with flaming red eyes lunging towards him. Tom screamed out in terror and lashed
out repeatedly with his whip as the enormous beast descended upon down on him. Tom screamed and
struggled for all he was worth then in a huge flash of fire and sparks the monster was gone.
Tom had collapsed on top of his carriage and the next thing he knew he was at home in Cradle Alley in
Baldwin’s Gardens. His horses had taken him home where his wife found his unconscious body
slumped on the coach. He was taken from the carriage and carried to bed where he remained delirious
and unable to move or talk for a week.
At dawn on Thursday 6 th November, his wife entered his bedroom just as the cock crowed and at that
instant he roused and with difficulty spoke for the first time, telling her of the dreadful apparition that
had attacked him. Tom Cox recovered his speech but was paralysed and unable to move any of his
limbs. He was visited by a great many friends and scholars of the day who listened with horror to his
ordeal. Many were convinced that he was one of the few men who had met the Devil himself and
survived to tell the tale. Tom Cox never regained his mental or physical faculties and was unable ever
drive his carriage again through his beloved London streets. He went to his grave a broken man and
the truth of what malevolence befell him on that Halloween night in 1684, remains a mystery.
About the Author
Brian Langston QPM is the former Assistant Chief Constable
for Thames Valley Police. He was born in Bilston although
now lives in the South of France where he writes on topics
including true crime and the paranormal. His book True
Ghosts and Ghouls of Windsor & Eton is due to be published
later this year.
He can be reached on GhostsofWindsor@gmail.com
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