Убийство на улице Морг

           Returninghomefromsomesailors’froliconthenight,orratherinthemorningofthemurder,hefoundthebeastoccupyinghisownbed-room,intowhichithadbrokenfromaclosetadjoining,whereithadbeen,aswasthought,securelyconfined.Razorinhand,andfullylathered,itwassittingbeforealooking-glass,attemptingtheoperationofshaving,inwhichithadnodoubtpreviouslywatcheditsmasterthroughthekey-holeofthecloset.Terrifiedatthesightofsodangerousaweaponinthepossessionofananimalsoferocious,andsowellabletouseit,theman,forsomemoments,wasatalosswhattodo.Hehadbeenaccustomed,however,toquietthecreature,eveninitsfiercestmoods,bytheuseofawhip,andtothishenowresorted.Uponsightofit,theOurang-Outangsprangatoncethroughthedoorofthechamber,downthestairs,andthence,throughawindow,unfortunatelyopen,intothestreet. 

           TheFrenchmanfollowedindespair;theape,razorstillinhand,occasionallystoppingtolookbackandgesticulateatitspursuer,untilthelatterhadnearlycomeupwithit.Itthenagainmadeoff.Inthismannerthechasecontinuedforalongtime.Thestreetswereprofoundlyquiet,asitwasnearlythreeo’clockinthemorning.InpassingdownanalleyintherearoftheRueMorgue,thefugitive’sattentionwasarrestedbyalightgleamingfromtheopenwindowofMadameL’Espanaye’schamber,inthefourthstoryofherhouse.