How does plot or arrangement of events control our reading?

In Saki's "The Open Window," elements of suspense around the plot compel the reader to move forward. We are introduced to the protagonist, Frampton Nuttel. Frampton is in search of a place to calm his nerves and has stopped by Mrs. Sappleton's home at his sister's request. The reader becomes aware that Frampton may be somewhat fragile. Feeling empathy for the protagonist is an element of suspense that encourages the reader to keep going. Upon arriving at the house, Frampton meets Vera, the niece of Mrs. Sappleton. Vera is described as a "very self-possessed young lady of fifteen." This description adds some credibility to the story that Vera is about to tell, and so begins the story within a story.
When Vera learns that Frampton does not know her aunt, her ploy begins and the story is set in motion. Vera shares news that her aunt has suffered a tragedy and begins her story with "Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day's shooting." This is the second time Vera mentions the large open window, providing some clue to the reader that the window is of some importance. When Vera shares that her aunt's family never returned, but her aunt keeps the window open in case they do, the reader begins to feel some concern for the fragile protagonist. He is at the house on the exact date that three years ago was the day Mrs. Sappleton's husband and brothers disappeared. The suspense, again, pushes the reader forward.
Vera completes her story with excellent timing as her aunt enters the room. As if on cue, Mrs. Sappleton mentions the window, and again, the reader's attention is drawn to the window. Frampton notices that Mrs. Sappleton's eyes keep looking at the window as she speaks with him. Here, the element of impending danger compels the reader forward and the tension grows as we wonder what will happen with the window.
Finally, Mrs. Sappleton cries, "Here they are at last!" Frampton, to his horror, sees what he believes are ghosts approaching the window. He flees from the home, and the reader is left to wonder about his state of well-being.