Убийство на улице Морг

           Thevictimsmusthavebeensittingwiththeirbackstowardthewindow;and,fromthetimeelapsingbetweentheingressofthebeastandthescreams,itseemsprobablethatitwasnotimmediatelyperceived.Theflapping-tooftheshutterwouldnaturallyhavebeenattributedtothewind. 

           Asthesailorlookedin,thegiganticanimalhadseizedMadameL’Espanayebythehair,(whichwasloose,asshehadbeencombingit,)andwasflourishingtherazoraboutherface,inimitationofthemotionsofabarber.Thedaughterlayprostrateandmotionless;shehadswooned.Thescreamsandstrugglesoftheoldlady(duringwhichthehairwastornfromherhead)hadtheeffectofchangingtheprobablypacificpurposesoftheOurang-Outangintothoseofwrath.Withonedeterminedsweepofitsmusculararmitnearlyseveredherheadfromherbody.Thesightofbloodinflameditsangerintophrenzy.Gnashingitsteeth,andflashingfirefromitseves,itflewuponthebodyofthegirl,andimbeddeditsfearfultalonsinherthroat,retainingitsgraspuntilsheexpired.Itswanderingandwildglancesfellatthismomentupontheheadofthebed,overwhichthefaceofitsmaster,rigidwithhorror,wasjustdiscernible.Thefuryofthebeast,whonodoubtborestillinmindthedreadedwhip,wasinstantlyconvertedintofear.