Тень над Иннсмутом

           FishStreetwasasdesertedasMain,thoughitdifferedinhavingmanybrickandstonewarehousesstillinexcellentshape.WaterStreetwasalmostitsduplicate,savethatthereweregreatseawardgapswherewharveshadbeen.NotalivingthingdidIseeexceptforthescatteredfishermenonthedistantbreak-water,andnotasounddidIhearsavethelappingoftheharbourtidesandtheroarofthefallsintheManuxet.Thetownwasgettingmoreandmoreonmynerves,andIlookedbehindmefurtivelyasIpickedmywaybackoverthetotteringWaterStreetbridge.TheFishStreetbridge,accordingtothesketch,wasinruins.

           Northoftheriverthereweretracesofsqualidlife—activefish-packinghousesinWaterStreet,smokingchimneysandpatchedroofshereandthere,occasionalsoundsfromindeterminatesources,andinfrequentshamblingformsinthedismalstreetsandunpavedlanes—butIseemedtofindthisevenmoreoppressivethanthesoutherlydesertion.Foronething,thepeopleweremorehideousandabnormalthanthosenearthecentreofthetown;sothatIwasseveraltimesevillyremindedofsomethingutterlyfantasticwhichIcouldnotquiteplace.UndoubtedlythealienstrainintheInnsmouthfolkwasstrongerherethanfartherinland—unless,indeed,the"Innsmouthlook"wereadiseaseratherthanabloodstain,inwhichcasethisdistrictmightbeheldtoharbourthemoreadvancedcases.

           OnedetailthatannoyedmewasthedistributionofthefewfaintsoundsIheard.Theyoughtnaturallytohavecomewhollyfromthevisiblyinhabitedhouses,yetinrealitywereoftenstrongestinsidethemostrigidlyboarded-upfacades.Therewerecreakings,scurryings,andhoarsedoubtfulnoises;andIthoughtuncomfortablyaboutthehiddentunnelssuggestedbythegroceryboy.