Поворот винта

           Onthespottherecametometheaddedshockofacertitudethatitwasnotformehehadcomethere.Hehadcomeforsomeoneelse.

           Theflashofthisknowledge—foritwasknowledgeinthemidstofdread—producedinmethemostextraordinaryeffect,startedasIstoodthere,asuddenvibrationofdutyandcourage.IsaycouragebecauseIwasbeyondalldoubtalreadyfargone.Iboundedstraightoutofthedooragain,reachedthatofthehouse,got,inaninstant,uponthedrive,and,passingalongtheterraceasfastasIcouldrush,turnedacornerandcamefullinsight.Butitwasinsightofnothingnow—myvisitorhadvanished.Istopped,Ialmostdropped,withtherealreliefofthis;butItookinthewholescene—Igavehimtimetoreappear.Icallittime,buthowlongwasit?Ican’tspeaktothepurposetodayofthedurationofthesethings.Thatkindofmeasuremusthaveleftme:theycouldn’thavelastedastheyactuallyappearedtometolast.Theterraceandthewholeplace,thelawnandthegardenbeyondit,allIcouldseeofthepark,wereemptywithagreatemptiness.Therewereshrubberiesandbigtrees,butIremembertheclearassuranceIfeltthatnoneofthemconcealedhim.Hewasthereorwasnotthere:notthereifIdidn’tseehim.Igotholdofthis;then,instinctively,insteadofreturningasIhadcome,wenttothewindow.ItwasconfusedlypresenttomethatIoughttoplacemyselfwherehehadstood.Ididso;Iappliedmyfacetothepaneandlooked,ashehadlooked,intotheroom