Поворот винта

           Irecollectinshortthat,thoughIwasdeeplyinterestedinmyauthor,Ifoundmyself,attheturnofapageandwithhisspellallscattered,lookingstraightupfromhimandhardatthedoorofmyroom.TherewasamomentduringwhichIlistened,remindedofthefaintsenseIhadhad,thefirstnight,oftherebeingsomethingundefinablyastirinthehouse,andnotedthesoftbreathoftheopencasementjustmovethehalf-drawnblind.Then,withallthemarksofadeliberationthatmusthaveseemedmagnificenthadtherebeenanyonetoadmireit,Ilaiddownmybook,rosetomyfeet,and,takingacandle,wentstraightoutoftheroomand,fromthepassage,onwhichmylightmadelittleimpression,noiselesslyclosedandlockedthedoor.

           Icansaynowneitherwhatdeterminednorwhatguidedme,butIwentstraightalongthelobby,holdingmycandlehigh,tillIcamewithinsightofthetallwindowthatpresidedoverthegreatturnofthestaircase.AtthispointIprecipitatelyfoundmyselfawareofthreethings.Theywerepracticallysimultaneous,yettheyhadflashesofsuccession.Mycandle,underaboldflourish,wentout,andIperceived,bytheuncoveredwindow,thattheyieldingduskofearliestmorningrendereditunnecessary.Withoutit,thenextinstant,Isawthattherewassomeoneonthestair.Ispeakofsequences,butIrequirednolapseofsecondstostiffenmyselfforathirdencounterwithQuint.