Убийство на улице Морг

           Theadvertiserdesignatesmeasthepossessorofthebeast.Iamnotsuretowhatlimithisknowledgemayextend.ShouldIavoidclaimingapropertyofsogreatvalue,whichitisknownthatIpossess,Iwillrendertheanimal,atleast,liabletosuspicion.Itisnotmypolicytoattractattentioneithertomyselfortothebeast.Iwillanswertheadvertisement,gettheOurang-Outang,andkeepitcloseuntilthismatterhasblownover. 

           Atthismomentweheardastepuponthestairs. 

           “Beready,”saidDupin,“withyourpistols,butneitherusethemnorshowthemuntilatasignalfrommyself.” 

           Thefrontdoorofthehousehadbeenleftopen,andthevisitorhadentered,withoutringing,andadvancedseveralstepsuponthestaircase.Now,however,heseemedtohesitate.Presentlyweheardhimdescending.Dupinwasmovingquicklytothedoor,whenweagainheardhimcomingup.Hedidnotturnbackasecondtime,butsteppedupwithdecisionandrappedatthedoorofourchamber. 

           “Comein,”saidDupin,inacheerfulandheartytone. 

           Amanentered.Hewasasailor,evidently—atall,stout,andmuscular-lookingperson,withacertaindare-devilexpressionofcountenance,notaltogetherunprepossessing.Hisface,greatlysunburnt,wasmorethanhalfhiddenbywhiskerandmustachio.Hehadwithhimahugeoakencudgel,butappearedtobeotherwiseunarmed.