The classic tale of the uncanny and supernatural by W.W. Jacobs.
Whilst serving in India, the Sergeant-Major acquired the mummified paw of a monkey - that had had a spell put on it by an old fakir who, "wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and those that interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
(Tags : The Monkey's Paw (Unabridged) W. W. Jacobs Audiobook, W. W. Jacobs Audio CD )