Part 1 Summary

The Door in the Wall begins with the narrator, Redmond, recalling a story that his friend Lionel Wallace had once told him. The story had been told in such a way that he had no choice but to believe it at the time, with the atmosphere of a long dinner, drinks, and intimate lighting adding to its believability. However, once Redmond had woken up the next morning, he was no longer sure of the story's accuracy. After further reflection, he decided that whether or not the story was actually true, Wallace had honestly believed that it was. Redmond also reveals that Lionel Wallace is dead.

At this point, the story flashes back to Lionel Wallace's confession to Redmond. Wallace begins by telling Redmond that he feels that certain things are missing from his life. He is filled, at times, with such an intense...