Тень над Иннсмутом

           Onehadbeenthere,asmarksclearlyshewed,butthereweresignsofrecentremoval.Nodoubtithadbeenoutoforder,likesomanyotherthingsinthisdecrepitedifice.InmynervousnessIlookedaroundanddiscoveredaboltontheclothespresswhichseemedtobeofthesamesize,judgingfromthemarks,astheoneformerlyonthedoor.TogainapartialrelieffromthegeneraltensionIbusiedmyselfbytransferringthishardwaretothevacantplacewiththeaidofahandythree-inonedeviceincludingascrewdriverwhichIkeptonmykey-ring.Theboltfittedperfectly,andIwassomewhatrelievedwhenIknewthatIcouldshootitfirmlyuponretiring.NotthatIhadanyrealapprehensionofitsneed,butthatanysymbolofsecuritywaswelcomeinanenvironmentofthiskind.Therewereadequateboltsonthetwolateraldoorstoconnectingrooms,andtheseIproceededtofasten.

           Ididnotundress,butdecidedtoreadtillIwassleepyandthenliedownwithonlymycoat,collar,andshoesoff.Takingapocketflashlightfrommyvalise,Iplaceditinmytrousers,sothatIcouldreadmywatchifIwokeuplaterinthedark.Drowsiness,however,didnotcome;andwhenIstoppedtoanalysemythoughtsIfoundtomydisquietthatIwasreallyunconsciouslylisteningforsomething—listeningforsomethingwhichIdreadedbutcouldnotname.Thatinspector’sstorymusthaveworkedonmyimaginationmoredeeplythanIhadsuspected.AgainItriedtoread,butfoundthatImadenoprogress.