Short Story recommendation-The Open Window

[Future Man]

Has anyone read the short story called "The Open Window"?

I found it in a classic horror anthology. It was written in the early 1900s by a British author named Saki. It's only 3 or four pages and it's probably the best short short story I've ever read. The closing line is simply superb.

[Bryan Pope]

Okay, that is just too weird that you should mention that story. I read this years ago -- probably when I was in the third or fourth grade. And I was recently busting my brain trying to remember the title, but I couldn't. As soon as I saw your post, though, I knew that was it. Yeah, good story.

[Steve T Power]

We had these huge honking "readers" in junior high that were often stacked with awesome short stories... I remember discovering Robert Frost and Edgar Allen Poe through these huge tomes. There are two stories i've been on the hunt for forever:

The Midnight Visitor - At least I think that's the title. A veteran spy and his rookie partner come back to their hotel room only to be ambushed by a cat named "Max". The story is narrated by the rookie, who's musing the whole time about how the reality of the spy business is so bland compared to the stories. The veteran winds up getting Max to hide on the balcony while he answers the door, claiming it must be the police he called from the lobby before coming up. I remember the final line blowing my mind back in the 6th or 7th grade. Edit - found this one! - The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

I can't remember the second story's title, but I know it was about two snipers on opposing sides of "The Struggles" in Ireland on opposite rooftops taking shots at each other. One tricks the other into the open and takes the killing shot only to make a pretty downbeat discovery.

[Future Man]

Edit - found this one! - The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

I read it today. Excellent!

[Steve T Power]

Found the other one as well: The Sniper bu Liam O'Flaherty.

[Future Man]

These short short stories are almost like poems in their construction. Every word is chosen with meticulous care.