"The Open Window" is a short story by Saki, also known as Hector Hugh Munro. It was first published in 1914 in the collection "Beasts and Super-Beasts."
The story takes place in the drawing room of a country house in England, where the protagonist, a young woman named Vera, lives with her aunt. Vera is visited by a young man named Framton Nuttel, who has come to the countryside for a rest cure due to his nervous condition.
As they sit and talk, Vera tells a story about a tragic event that occurred three years prior: a hunting party was lost in the marshes near their house, and her cousin and two other men died of exposure. She tells Nuttel that her cousin's ghost still haunts the window, which is always left open as a sign of respect.
Nuttel, who is already on edge due to his nerves, becomes increasingly agitated by Vera's story. Just as he is about to leave, the window suddenly opens and a group of people, including Vera's cousin, enter the room. Nuttel, believing that he is seeing the ghost, faints.
It is revealed that Vera's story was a fabrication, and she has been playing a trick on Nuttel. The hunting party and the cousin's death were completely made up. Vera's aunt, who has been listening to the conversation, scolds Vera for her mischievous behavior.
In the end, Nuttel leaves the house in a state of distress, and Vera is left feeling guilty for her actions. "The Open Window" is a humorous and clever tale that explores the theme of deception and the power of imagination.