Убийство на улице Морг
Witnesshadseenthedaughtersomefiveorsixtimesduringthesixyears.Thetwolivedanexceedinglyretiredlife—werereputedtohavemoney.HadhearditsaidamongtheneighborsthatMadameL.toldfortunes—didnotbelieveit.Hadneverseenanypersonenterthedoorexcepttheoldladyandherdaughter,aporteronceortwice,andaphysiciansomeeightortentimes.
“Manyotherpersons,neighbors,gaveevidencetothesameeffect.Noonewasspokenofasfrequentingthehouse.ItwasnotknownwhethertherewereanylivingconnexionsofMadameL.andherdaughter.Theshuttersofthefrontwindowswereseldomopened.Thoseintherearwerealwaysclosed,withtheexceptionofthelargebackroom,fourthstory.Thehousewasagoodhouse—notveryold.
“IsidoreMuset,gendarme,deposesthathewascalledtothehouseaboutthreeo’clockinthemorning,andfoundsometwentyorthirtypersonsatthegateway,endeavoringtogainadmittance.Forceditopen,atlength,withabayonet—notwithacrowbar.Hadbutlittledifficultyingettingitopen,onaccountofitsbeingadoubleorfoldinggate,andboltedneitheratbottomnortop.Theshriekswerecontinueduntilthegatewasforced—andthensuddenlyceased.Theyseemedtobescreamsofsomeperson(orpersons)ingreatagony—wereloudanddrawnout,notshortandquick.Witnessledthewayupstairs.Uponreachingthefirstlanding,heardtwovoicesinloudandangrycontention-theoneagruffvoice,theothermuchshriller—averystrangevoice.
- Нет глав