Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) was a French novelist and playwright. In his short story "La Grande Breteche", Dr. Horace Bianchon discovers an abandoned manor house near the town of Vendôme. Fascinated by the ruin, he tries unsuccessfully to enter the mansion over several nights. Upon inquiry, the local people explain the story of the house. It turns out that Madame de Merret, its late owner, forbade anyone from entering the building for 50 years after her death. A lawyer was given the task and the funds to ensure that her dying wish be respected. The reason why, a tale of Gothic horror, involves a man being walled up by a mason in the closet of the bedroom....